The old treads were shitty particle board glued and nailed to three 1-1/2" wide stringers: one near each end and one in the middle. Each of these nailers covers a range of applications. Without any further ado, lets take a good look at each and every step of the way of installation: Truth be told, this is one of the most time-consuming phases of the whole process. Generally speaking, you should install the stair treads first, then put the risers in place, since the risers form the template for the tread cuts. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Now, thanks to better batteries, the latest cordless nailers have the power and firing rate to match their compressor-dependent predecessors. They leave a smaller hole thanks to their small head and so are less likely to split thinner wood. Find most of these finish nailers at The Home Depot. The use of an air gun is often the fastest application method; however, for the most professional appearance, it is recommended that you pre-drill all nail holes when hand nailing to avoid splitting the tread or riser. Liquid nails can be used instead of subfloor adhesive, but I have used the latter a number of times without a single complaint about squeaks. In most situations, 3/4 inch of the tread will overhang the riser on the open side while the other side should hang slightly more, usually 1 inch. Can I use 16 gauge nails for stair treads? The client mentioned that they would prefer that the treads be fastened with screws to prevent squeaks. Finishing the stair treads before installation will make the process much easier and quicker since it prevents the need to finish difficult parts or areas once the stair treads are already in place. Pre-finishing the stair treads also allows you to get a better, more consistent finish since you can take your time and apply the finish in a well-ventilated area, ensuring better results. However, I would be forced to face screw the treads as there is no access behind the stringers. Galvanized nails hold better than plain steel. Its also a good choice for more demanding jobs like nailing doorjambs or stair treads. Battery-powered finish nailers are more expensive and heavier than pneumatic nailers. That is because 16 is greater than 18. Any DIY fan knows that preparing the tools and materials you need for a job is one tip for completing your project. 15-gauge finish nailer This is the gun I usually grab for nailing large 3/4-in. Stair treads are installed starting at the bottom step, so that will be step one. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. So, whether you are looking for hacks about a certain nail gun, ideas on how to get the most out of your nailer, or even nails to feed your nailer when tackling specific tasks, nailerpros.com is the right place to be. Can I use a nail gun for stair treads? This will prevent movement. 16 Guage Brad Nails: 1.65mm thick, are bigger and holds stronger compared to 18 gauge nails. This will ensure that the stairs are safe and stable. The fibers of the wood will fan out to help fill the nail hole, and the filler should do the rest. These too are available in cordless and pneumatic options. Once the adhesive has been applied, you should follow the recommended curing time and then add finishing nails, if desired. 2023 AB Media Inc. All rights reserved. That takes us back to the question of what is the exact 15 gauge nail diameter. Use a thick bead of glue, about 1/2" on the stringers. The Employability Skills-What Are They and Which Count the Most? There are two nailer types: pneumatic and battery-powered. WOODWEB is a registered trademark of Woodweb.com. We used 2 1/2 nails for the stair treads. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a943b1a34c7001b8429dd034d6f99f31" );document.getElementById("cfecf17015").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. Also, no flooring was installed over the profile at the time of install, leaving it more susceptible to further damage and failure. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A nail gun . There are many more tips and tricks that you will find as you go through this exercise. Job Opportunities and Woodworking Services, Dust Collection, Safety and Plant Operation, Installations in High Rise Residential Buildings, Eliminating Burn Marks when Routing Flutes, Moisture Issues with Exterior Screen Doors, Hanging Curved Veneer Panels to a Curved Wall. And yes, its going to take you a while (even a whole day). This makes them useful for fastening small moldings or nailing the side of a molding to a window or door jamb. Why this technique works: Finish nails come glued together in long strips, much like staples, with their sharp chisel tips all in a line. Large nailers will split small pieces of trim, while small pin nailers wont have the holding power to keep a molding in place. For this reason, many DIYers and pros keep several types (and sizes) of finish nailers on hand. Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job. Check out this 15-gauge nailer by Metabo, available for $319 on Amazon. Leave the glue to cure according to the manufacturers directions and avoid walking on the stairs until then. Nails with smaller diameters have one huge advantage over bigger nails: You can use them on material that would easily split if you use thicker nails. Consequently, 15 gauge nails will work fine, in particular, for interior doors. Even if its time and nerve consuming, this final step is going to fill in the gaps and help you get rid of the squeaking too. You can also go with pine risers as they're less than $10 apiece, with the oak risers coming for more than $10 ($12 or so). For added security, you can also use finishing nails to secure the treads. The Janka hardness in some exotics may require the use of only adhesives or pre-drilled fasteners. When we talk about nail gauge sizes, they are used to indicate the thickness or diameter of a nail. Additionally, you should use a caulking gun when applying the Liquid Nails to ensure even coverage. If you tear off the existing treads still use construction adhesive but on the stringers. Installing Deck Stair Treads Watch on What screws to use on stair treads? The first tread might have to be screwed and plugged on the top, because of limited access. You do it over and over again until you get to the top. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. This is done to ensure that the treads can bear the weight of those walking on them without buckling due to the overhang. Forum Responses FREE delivery. They rest on a solid foundation and are attached to the deck with hangers. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. By submitting your email, you agree to our, Tool Lab | Guide to Cordless Finish Nailers, 5 Easy Ways to Remove Scratches from a Glass Window, How to Choose a Finish Nailer | This Old House: Live, Tool Lab | How to Select and Use a Track Saw, Tool Lab | Drilling Into Studs for Electrical Wiring, Understanding Battery Voltages | Tool Lab, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Nails are the fastener of choice when laying down hardwood floorboards because theyre not as likely to split the wood as screws and dont mar the surface with screw heads. Measure the length and width of each stair tread individually. Plan so that you dont have any kids or pets trapped upstairs throughout the installation. This prevents accidental firings. Its an excellent way to do it as its going to cover the nail holes too. Being meticulous on the job should be a rule of thumb for any project, especially when it comes to construction. Lowes. Lets say you have a 12 gauge nail- under the aforementioned numbering system, it is thicker than a 15 gauge nail (and not the other way round). ], 8d nail diameter and other questions about 8d nails answered. Wellness, Massagen, Meditation, Reiki und alles rund um die Gesundheit erfahren! So, in short, framing nails are up to 2X thicker than 15 gauge nails! The most common and readily available types are 15 gauge, 16 gauge, 18 gauge, and 23 gauge. The gauge roughly refers to the number of nails in one inch when lined up side by side. I don't work on stairs regularly, but wouldn't construction adhesive plus 15 gauge nails provide a squeak free option. Pu5 the template on the stair stringers and tighten the model until you achieve the right angle and length of every side of the tread/riser. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Prior to hammering, make sure to predrill a hole so the nail does not split the material. Leave the stain to dry according to the manufacturers directions. Depending upon the gauge nailer, they can be heavier than the gas and pneumatic options but they are very fast and plenty powerful. Additionally, in many cases, using nails can void the warranty of the treads, as it is considered to be an improper installation. Theyve been around for a long time, so the technology has become more reliable over the years. In some cases theres overlap, but more often than notyoure not going to get the results you want by using one when the other is the better option. i even go as far as to pre finish all the componets before assambly ( paint the skirts, stain and finish the treads , and paint or stain and finish the risers). 1. A high-quality construction adhesive should be used. Then, affix the riser to the tread using an appropriate fastener and drill. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. What is the best way to nail stair treads? The inspector will tear out your staircase if it doesn't meet ADA and ASTM codes. It is a great adhesive for cement, wood, and many other surfaces. Before that, let us speak about the length of these nails(it is not fair to talk about 15 gauge nail diameter and fail to mention how long these nails are). By: Author Olin Wade (Remodel or Move Stuff). I guess I'm notpositive if I can get 5/8" oak ply or not. Ray, do you have a source for your 5/8" oak ply? The 16-gauge finish nail has a 0.0625-inch-thick shank and is typically supplied in 1 to 3-inch lengths.
what gauge nails for stair treads