How to install spc flooring on stairs

If you’ve installed vinyl flooring in your home, you may want to consider extending it to your stairs. Updating your landing can give your home some more freshness, and matching the stairs to the room they are in keeps your design cohesive. Additionally, many homeowners use vinyl flooring on their stairs as well as elsewhere because it’s easy to install and clean. Before install SPC flooring on stairs, take these items into consideration:

Prepare the Subfloor For Vinyl Planks

Before you install vinyl planks, make sure that the subfloor and underlayment are perfectly level to avoid bumps. If there are any overhangs, remove them using a jigsaw and choose a raiser material with the same thickness as the overhang to accommodate the stair nose. 

Remove any existing molding material and cut back the baseboard to accommodate the stair nose. If installing the first time, level, and smooth out the underlayment, remove any dust and particles caught up under the floor. Remove any carpeting, tack strips, old adhesive, or any material that’s in your way.

Also, at the top of the stair, cut back the wall baseboard to create room for the nosing. It’s best to install from the bottom of the staircase as you go to the top ones for a cleaner overall appearance. 

Measure and Cut the Tread on Vinyl Planks

Measure the corners with a set square and ensure they are 90 degrees and transfer the measurement to a plank. It would be best if you had the tongue and the groove to connect to the adjacent plank and nosing. Therefore, ensure that you measure the stair depth and minus the gap you need for the nosing.

Dry-Fit the Nosing and the Tread

If you’re using two planks, snap them together and set the tread in place. Cut the nosing and put it in place on the edge of the staircase. It should overlap or snap on to fit then remove for gluing.

Install the Stair Nose

There are two types of nosing, those that sit directly on the subfloor and snap into the tread and those that require installation using a shim material.

If you’re using the former, don’t use fasteners on the tread. Instead, decouple from the nosing to expand and contract independently. If using the latter, glue the shim in place, apply glue on the nosing, set in place, and fasten with screw or nail. 

Final Thoughts

Vinyl planks offer harmonious and beautiful décor on your landing to create a unique stone, hardwood, or marble look. If you want to coordinate your stairs and floor, the different designs ensure you add flair to your stairs. At Protex Flooring, our mission is to make your life more comfortable, because we believe in Comfort For Life.