I've done a lot of work on my house and it was to the point that the stairway was the worst thing in it. My house was built in 1960 so replacing the stairs wasn't something I wanted to do (have to build to current code for one). Plus I would have had to hire someone, and I'm just too cheap and the house not valuble enough to go thru a renovation like that. So this is how the stairs looked before I started on 4/19/20. The 4 grates on the top stairs let heat up from the pellet stove that was set up directly behind it (only place I could set up in the basement at the time) The 1st 5 treads that I custom cut (nothing is straight, plum or parallel in this house), all sanded an ready for stain. By 4/24/20, those 5 treads had been stained and had 4 layers of polyurethane. Took another week to do the other 5 stairs (restrictions on space and ability to keep the two youngest cats away) On 5/1/20, I started getting the old staircase ready for the refurbish. I removed the no slip tread covers and the grates from the top stairs. I had torn out walls, creating a path for the pellet stove warmed air to circulate, and moved the stove out from under the stairs late 2018 so I installed in new risers. Not shown is that also painted the risers and edges of the stairs the same color as the walls - just in case of errors on my part I custom cut riser covers (stair heights were anywhere from 7" to 12") and painted them. Oh yea, I also tore out the doorway at the top of stairs and installed my own custom creation (full disclosure - only the side for the stops is done for the doorway - the kitchen side isn't complete yet). Anyway, sixths was my project this afternoon. Still need to do some clean up (cover nail heads in the riser covers). The treads are glued and nailed down. May not be perfect but looks a heck of a lot better than I ever thought it would when I moved in 7 years ago.
They look awesome bogieb! The difference is night and day..... nice work! The stain color looks darn close to our favorite here, it's called honey by minwax.
The stain is red mahogany by Varathane. not that I can detect any reddish tint. Course if I had used oak for the risers, it probably comes out differently.
Love it. If COVID-19 has done one thing for me, it's fanned the flame to work on woodworking projects/home improvement. I can't tell you how many videos I've watched looking at different ways to do things. On the forum, I've been writing a great deal to share my plans. It helps me keep busy in my downtime when I am unable to work on my projects. The current project you might have seen is the addition of two raised garden boxes. Nothing special like your stairs. Your stairs are fine craftmanship. Jason from RI
You are just full of talent. That looks 100% better. One more thing needed. A hand rail. Esp. when going up and down with something. I lost most of my mobility falling on my stairs that I had been using several times a day for 45 yrs. I had rails but two full arms of blankets. Golden hammer award to you. Larry
WOW BB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's now going to be a pleasure every time you haul a bag of pellets up the stairs.
Thanks everyone for all the nice comments and kudos The stairway is narrow enough that I took out the rails when I first moved here just to move boxes up from the basement - heck, just the laundry basket. Wasn't sorry to see them go as they were made from old threaded metal pipe (that somehow were not painted green). If I have a hand to grab a rail, then I have a hand to bang into a wall and stop my stumble/fall. If I don't have a free hand, a rail isn't going to help. I do have some nice sturdy round wood stock if I ever decide I can't live without a hand hold.
No plans for railing at the moment. But, I do have some round oak 10' lengths that could be put to that use if I need it in the future.
