What is the first thing that you notice while entering a house? Your gaze would hunt down the focal point of the house. It would probably be the ascending pathway connecting the house’s different floors. Yes, you guessed it right! We are referring to the stairs. These architectural marvels are more than mere connectors; they are silent storytellers as they whisper the memories made in the living space.
However, opting for the right flooring material is necessary to achieve visually appealing staircases. LVP on stairs is an excellent choice if you want an aesthetic and durable solution simultaneously for your staircase. Luxury vinyl plank on stairs is a perfect option as it’s affordable, long-lasting, simple to install, clean and maintain and goes easy on the eyes.
But the question arises of how to install vinyl plank flooring on the stairs. Installing vinyl on stairs may seem challenging initially, but following the proper steps can make this process fast and flawless. We are here with this guide to teach you how to install a visually appealing LVP on stairs. And what’s better when you have installed LVP on stairs?
Let’s dive in.
Tools And Materials Needed To Install LVP On Stairs
Before you start laying vinyl plank flooring on your stairs, arranging all the materials and tools required to install luxury vinyl on stairs is necessary. Let’s have a look at them.
- Luxury vinyl planks
- Adhesive or vinyl glue
- Stair nosing
- Stair risers
- Pencil
- Nails and screws
- Hammer
- Eye protection
- Sharp knives, blades, and a table saw
- Vinyl glue
- Measuring tape
- Carpenter Square
- Drilling or nail gun
- Level
- Floor roller
- Stair tread gauge
- Cleaning supplies
How To Step By Step Install LVP On Stairs?
Installing vinyl plank flooring on stairs is a great idea, as it coordinates with the rest of your flooring, gives your living space a contemporary style and dazzles up the entire living room. Moreover, staircases are heavy-traffic areas which demand a strong and durable flooring option, and what’s better than luxury vinyl plank flooring stairs when it comes to rigidness and longevity? Therefore, to ensure you get well-fitted and attractive vinyl plank flooring for stairs, we will discuss its various installation steps in
detail below. Let’s jump into it.
Step 1: Prepare Your Stairs
The first step to installing LVP on stairs is preparing the subfloor. Remove any previous flooring, glue or residual material installed. After removing the existing flooring, thoroughly clean and sand the floor. This way, you can also get a chance to fill any holes or cracks and remove screws or nails to get an even surface.
Pro Tip: Remember to sand your risers too. Although you don’t walk on the risers, sanding them will give you a smooth and flawless staircase after installing your vinyl flooring stairs.
Step 2: Understand Stair Tread, Risers And Nosing
- Stair Tread Vinyl plank stair treads are the horizontal part of the staircase where you place your foot while climbing up or down the stairs. This essential surface supports your foot so you can ascend or descend easily. Stair treads not only provide a great structure but also ensure a safe walking surface.
- Stair Riser The riser is the vertical part of the stairs that stands between two treads. In simpler terms, the riser separates one tread from another so you can step up or down the staircase.
- Stair Nosing The stair nosing is a small piece at the front edge of a stair trend. This minor piece enhances the visual appearance and increases functionality and safety. Additionally, the stair offers excellent finishing, improving the aesthetics of the staircase.
Step 3: Measure Top Tread
Always measure the first tread as you install LVP on stairs from top to bottom. This is necessary because once you have installed vinyl flooring on the first step, you must let its glue dry before standing on it.
To accurately measure the stair tread, start by calculating the width of the stair nosing. After measuring its width, mark the spot on the tread where the nosing ends. After this, measure the tread from the mark to the back edge. This way, you will get your LVP stair tread width.
Step 4: Measure The Top Riser
The riser is relatively easy to measure. All you need to do is place a spare vinyl stair plank on the bottom tread. Then measure the riser from the bottom tread to the top tread. This will be the length of the riser.
Step 5: Cut The Tread, Riser And Nosing For The First Step
It’s time to cut the tread, riser and nosing for the first step to lay LVP on stairs. This can be a tricky step, so be careful. Always go for a utility knife or a table saw with a fine-toothed blade, as a cutter only cuts from 12″ to 20″, which is insufficient to make the lengthwise cut.
Your tread might need more than one plank per step, so place a spare piece as a guide to cut the length of the other pieces. This way, you can save time and effort.
Use a long, straight-edge tool like a level to cut the tread. Then mark the length and width of the stair tread on the luxury vinyl plank for the stairs. Now place the vinyl plank on a straight and hard cutting surface. Place your saw or utility knife on the marked lines, apply adequate pressure and cut downwards to snap out a nicely cut LVP stair tread.
Now it’s time to cut the riser for the first LVP stair step. Pick another plank and follow the same process, but the length and width measurements will be different to cut the riser. Make the measurements and cut the riser plank on the marked lines to get an accurate piece.
Finally, it’s time to cut the stair-nosing. It’s best to use a fine-toothed hacksaw to get the perfect nosing. Place the nosing piece on the cutting table so that there is a firm grip to get a precise cut. Make a 90-degree cut by slowly cutting the nosing on the marked lines.
Step 6: Fit Check Your Tread, Riser And Nosing
Check the LVP stair tread, riser and nosing size by placing it on the first step. First, place your tread, then the riser and then your nosing over the riser. Ensure the riser is tucked at an accurate angle against the tread and the riser. If the nosing is protruding unusually, you need to trim the width of the tread.
If the stair nosing doesn’t tuck properly against the riser and tread, the nosing will fall and create a safety risk. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully tuck the nosing over the riser and against the tread. It is best to measure all the vinyl stair steps, cut the pieces and rough-check them before glueing them.
Additionally, sandpaper any rough edges and clean any debris attached to the planks so that it’s ready for installation.
Step 7: Start Gluing And Installing The Tread, Riser, And Nosing
It’s time to install LVP on stairs by glueing all the pieces in their relevant places. There are two types of glues. One is applied on the subfloor, while the other is applied at the back of the LVP for stairs. You should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and use the glue accordingly.
Making an S pattern is a great way to apply the glue evenly on the plank. Fill the spaces left and gently place the plank in the relevant place. Use a roller or flat your hand to ensure the plank’s smooth placement. Clean off any extra glue to give it a finished look.
Always remember first to install the tread, then the riser on top of it and then the nosing in the last on the riser and against the tread.
Moreover, many luxury vinyl plank flooring is self-adhesive. All you need to do is remove the back sheet and place the plank in the desired place to stick the plank. However, it would help if you still used additional glue for strong and durable vinyl flooring placement of stairs.
Step 8: Continue This Process Until The Entire Vinyl Floor Staircase
Keep repeating the glueing process until you reach the end of the staircase. Don’t forget to let the stairs rest for 4-6 hours until you start walking on them.
Moreover, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the planks and adhesive to get an idea of how long the glue needs to stick and harden.
Additional Tips To Install LVP On Stairs
Although installing vinyl plank on stairs is pretty easy, there are still some additional tips and tricks which you can follow to make the process quick and hassle-free. Let’s have a look at them:
- Use a vinyl cutter while installing LVP on stairs, as it is specially designed to cut vinyl planks. It is
- easily available, affordable and can be bought on rent too. The vinyl cutter cuts fast and better.
- Remember not to leave any space between the riser and the nosing, as it can create a
- dangerous staircase, resulting in safety hazards.
- Always rough-check pieces before glueing them to ensure they are cut in the right length and
- width.
- It’s great to always measure all the vinyl stair steps as each one of them can have different
- dimensions, which may need luxury vinyl planks of different sizes.
- It’s best to use a stair gauge for structural support if you need to uniform stairs or install LVP in
- an old house staircase,
- Use sandpaper to even the rough sides of treads and risers. You should also sand the inner side
- of the nosing. This will improve the glueing and ensure durability.
- If you find the LVP on stairs process difficult, you can install single pieces of plank stair cover.
- They have attached tread and nosing. All you have to do is place the plank on every step to
- create beautiful vinyl stairs.
LVP On Stairs Maintenance
You might think installing vinyl plank on stairs is a good option as vinyl stairs add aesthetic value, increase longevity, and are a rigid solution for high-traffic areas. This is true, but it is only possible if you maintain the vinyl staircase thoroughly.
Hence, here are some maintenance tips to keep your vinyl floor long-lasting.
- Regularly vacuum the LVP on the stairs to pick up any garbage and trash.
- Sweep your vinyl staircase every day to wipe off the dirt.
- Vinyl flooring is waterproof, so you can also wet and steam mop the staircase for deep cleaning.
- Avoid harsh detergents and chemicals on your staircase, as they can damage the material.
- Combine baking soda and water to create a paste for stubborn stain removal for your vinyl
- stairs.
- Avoid dragging sharp objects on your stairs, as they can crack, scratch and puncture the vinyl
- planks.
- Some vinyl staircases have a protective topcoat that can benefit from occasional waxing. Use a
- vinyl-specific wax and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.
- Although vinyl is water resistant, avoid moisture as it can seep into the edges and seems to
- damage the planks in the long run.
- Conduct regular inspections to spot signs of wear and tear so that you can address these issues
- promptly before they worsen.
- If you have furniture or items on the staircase, consider placing protective pads or felt
- underneath them to prevent scratches or damage to the vinyl surface.
Bottom Line
LVP on stairs is a great solution if you are looking for visually attractive, space-defining, rigid, robust, durable and long-lasting flooring for your stairs. However, this can only be achieved if you find the right luxury vinyl plank for stairs and follow the installation steps correctly. Moreover, its aftercare and maintenance are equally important to preserve the vinyl staircase’s beauty and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about installing vinyl plank on stairs.
Can you install LVP on the stairs?
Yes, you can install LVP on the stairs. In fact, it does not only add aesthetics to your living space, but it is also easy to install, clean and maintain. Moreover, installing vinyl planks on stairs is an affordable and durable idea.
Is luxury vinyl plank slippery on stairs?
No, luxury vinyl plank flooring on staircases does not create a slippery surface. Vinyl’s resin coating and texture’s surface make it anti-slippery, giving a firm rubber-like texture.
Is LVP on stairs cheaper than carpet?
Yes, LVP on stairs is a cheaper flooring option than carpet. You can easily find vinyl planks for $3-$5 per square foot, while carpets cost around $5-$10 per square foot.
What is stair nosing?
The stair nosing is the long narrow piece on the stair step that protrudes outwards from the tread. This minor piece plays offers finishing to every vinyl stair step and also adds visual appeal to the stairs. It also offers structural support so that you can easily climb up and down the stairs, reducing the risk of accidents.
How do you install stair nosing?
Start by measuring the length and width of the nosing to mark the calculations on a fresh vinyl plank. Take a fine-toothed saw and cut it on the marked lines to get your vinyl plank stair nosing. After glueing the tread and the riser, place the nosing on the riser and against the tread to get a perfect angle. Make sure to tuck carefully tuck the nosing on the riser and against the tread.
