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Writer's pictureLana. Vinyl Nosing Specialist

Step 1: Prep Work for a Flawless Finish

Updated: 2 days ago

These videos are separate parts of our comprehensive Vinyl Stairs Installation tutorial, designed to guide you through each step for your convenience. Watch them individually to focus on specific aspects of the process, or watch the entire video (🔥How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring On Stairs🔥A Step-by-Step Guide) for a complete, step-by-step installation guide.


When installing vinyl flooring on your staircase, the first crucial step is painting. It's essential to paint the stairs before installing the treads to ensure a clean, seamless finish. This phase allows you to fully cover the areas that will be hidden once the treads are in place, avoiding the hassle of trying to reach tight spots later on.




Why We Recommend Dulux Paint


For prep work for a flawless finish, we always rely on Dulux paint. We've been using this brand for years, and we can attest to its durability and excellent coverage. It’s not a promotion, but a genuine recommendation based on our own experience. Dulux offers a variety of high-quality paints that are perfect for staircases and other home improvement projects. The ease of application, smooth finish, and long-lasting results are why we trust it for our painting needs.


Handy Tip for Keeping Your Brushes and Rollers Fresh


A helpful tip for keeping your brushes and rollers in top shape is to wrap them tightly in plastic while you’re taking a break or when you’re moving on to another part of your project. This prevents the paint from drying on your tools, so you can easily pick up where you left off without the need for a thorough cleaning between coats. Just make sure to remove the plastic wrap before you start painting again!


Prep Work for a Flawless Finish


Before applying the final coat of paint, it’s crucial to prep the surface properly. Fill any holes with wood filler and smooth out any rough spots with sandpaper. This step ensures that the surface is clean and smooth, allowing the paint to adhere well and giving you a perfect finish.

The final coat of paint is typically applied during the finishing stage at the end of the stair installation. Once everything else is in place and fully dry, you'll want to apply that last coat to ensure your stairs look fresh and polished.


Moving on to Measurements and Templates


Once the stringers (the structural supports of your stairs) and risers (the vertical components between steps) are dry, it’s time to move on to the next phase: measuring your staircase and creating templates for the treads. This step is crucial for ensuring that your vinyl planks fit perfectly when you begin the installation process.


Understanding Stair Measurements


When selecting vinyl planks for your staircase, you'll notice they come in various lengths and widths. The most common length is 48 inches, but you can also find them in sizes ranging from 36 to 72 inches. As for width, vinyl planks generally range from 5 to 12 inches, with the 6 to 9-inch range being the most common.


When it comes to stair installation, understanding the dimensions of your staircase is key. The "width" of the stairway is measured from left to right, which typically ranges from 32 to 42 inches. The "run" of your stairs depends on the number of steps, but this is something to keep in mind as you prepare for the next steps in the process.


Step Dimensions: Nosing and Tread


For a seamless fit, the length of the nosing (the front edge of the tread) and the second part of each tread should match your stairway’s width. Meanwhile, the depth of the tread will align with the width of the nosing, ensuring your vinyl planks fit snugly and look great.

In our tutorial videos, we use the term “width of a step” to refer to the total length of the tread, which includes both the nosing and the second part of the tread. Meanwhile, the "depth" refers to the width of the tread itself.


With these essential steps completed, you're ready to move on to the next stages of your stair installation project. By starting with a clean, painted surface and carefully measuring your materials, you’ll ensure that your finished stairs will look stunning and function perfectly for years to come.


Stay tuned with  @VINYLNOSING  for the next part of our tutorial, where we’ll guide you through the installation process of vinyl planks on your stairs!


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