How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Stairs Like a Pro, by Flooring Insights on YouTube. 24 min 43 s.
- Video length
- 24 min 43 s
- Time to do it
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Measure each tread from front to back and side to side, and each riser from top to bottom. Write the numbers down, since stairs often vary by a few millimetres.
Check the stairs are solid and level. Fix loose treads and fill cracks or dips with patching compound, then let it cure fully before you start.
Cut the riser planks first. Set the plank face down, mark the height and width, and cut with a circular saw or utility knife for a clean edge.
Glue the riser planks in place with construction adhesive. Press them firmly and hold with painter's tape until the adhesive grabs.
Cut the tread planks to size, allowing for the nosing overhang at the front. Dry fit each piece before gluing.
Apply adhesive to the tread and set the plank, pushing it tight against the riser. Weight it down or tape it while it sets.
Cut the stair nosing to the tread width. Trim the return ends with a jigsaw so it sits flush against the wall or skirt board.
Glue and screw the nosing to the front edge of each tread. Countersink the screws and plug the holes with matching filler.
Wipe off any squeezed-out adhesive with a damp cloth before it dries. Leave the stairs unused for the adhesive's full cure time.
Tips and common mistakes
Measure every step separately, because stair treads are rarely identical and small gaps show.
Use the same expansion gap at walls that the plank maker specifies, usually about 6 to 10 mm.
Wear safety glasses when cutting nosing and planks, and keep fingers clear of the blade.
Let adhesive cure overnight before anyone walks on the stairs to avoid loose planks.
Questions
Do I need to remove the old stair covering first?
Yes, remove carpet, old laminate or loose paint so the adhesive bonds to a solid surface. Fill and sand any damage before installing.
Can I use regular floor planks on stairs?
Yes, but you need a matching stair nosing for the front edge. Check the plank maker allows stair use and follow their adhesive guidance.
How do I handle stairs that turn a corner?
Cut separate planks for each winder tread and dry fit them before gluing. Measure the angle with a bevel gauge and transfer it to the plank.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
