Replacing Stair Treads

Replacing stair treads is fairly easy. You do not need a lot a skill or to “be handy.” There can be a few tricky parts depending on your stairs and treads and we will highlight those.

Now this article is specifically about replacing wooden structural stair treads. You might do this as I have because the treads are damaged or worn. I recently replaced two on my back outdoor stairs because they were rotting for example.

The first step is to remove the existing stair tread. You can usually easily pry the existing tread up with a flat metal pry bar.

Gently slip it between the riser (the vertical part of the stairs) and the tread. You will probably need to drive it in, very gently please, so you don’t mark or damage the riser. Gently tapping usually does the trick. Slowly pry the tread up.

You sometimes need to do use the pry bar in more than one spot along the stair in order to smoothly and evenly raise the old tread.

You can possibly have difficulties here with a wall board if there is one. It may, or may not, need to be removed. Use the pry bar in a similar fashion to remove it.

If there is a banister, this also may be an obstacle. It may need to be loosened or even removed in some cases.

Once the old tread is removed, block the stairs until it’s replaced, even if it’s for just a few minutes!

Unless the tread is to be fully covered, for example by carpet, you’ll want to use the same type of wood. For many types of hardwood you may want to look at several possible replacement treads to find one that matches as closely as possible as even the same type of wood can vary quite a bit. I’ve been known to take the old tread to the store with me.

Cut the new piece of wooden tread to exactly match the old one. I usually use the old one as a guide. In some older homes, the shapes are anything but regular. You can use C-clamps to attach the old tread and the new tread together and trace the outline to the new one before cutting.

Sand the new tread. You want it nice and smooth. Power sander, hand sander, your choice. Depending on the nose on the treads you may want to router the new tread, although I've never done this.

I pre drill small holes where ever a nail will go in the tread to avoid the possibility of splitting the wood. This is less important with softwoods like pine and spruce than hardwoods like oak and maple.

Make sure any old nails have been removed. If any old clumps of glue or anything else are there you may need to remove them with a chisel. Carefully lay down the new tread and nail in place. Usually you will set each nail slightly below the surface and then cover with a wood putty or similar in a matching color to hide the nail heads. I can’t remember what I used last time, but it was what was recommended where I bought the new tread.

Apply whatever finish you are using, usually a couple or more coats, and of course replace any wallboard or banister you may have removed or loosened.

That’s really all there is to replacing stair treads. The most difficult part of all is if there is a banister involved as it may need to be removed and the new tread may need to be cut in a funky shape to fit. I’ve never had much problem here, but you might potentially so just be aware of it.

Also definitely be gently with the pry bar so you don't mar anything.