If you're
interested in saving a few dollars and you have your own tools or your
planning on purchasing a few of them in the future, you can build your
own stair treads. They're a lot easier to build than most people think,
but there are some things that you should know, before you get started.
1. The biggest problem I think that a do-it-yourselfer might have, would
be selecting the right building materials. Most of the stair treads you
will order over the Internet or from a Stair Parts Supplier, won't have
any defects, but yours might. Especially if you ordered the wrong
lumber.
Make sure that you purchase premium building materials, otherwise it
could actually be cheaper to order them, from a stair parts supplier.
For example, if it's going to cost you $25 and two hours of labor, to
build one stair tread, but you can purchase something similar for $30,
then you probably should.
2. Make sure that you use carbide tipped router bits. Don't even think
about purchasing a steel router bit that's going to gouge and burn into
your finished product. It's going to cost you a few more dollars to buy
a nice router bit, but it will pay for itself, in the long run.
3. Here's a few tools that you will need to build your own stair treads.
Circular saw, sander and router, depending upon whether you will or will
not put a curved edge, on the front of the stair tread.
Depending upon the types of stair treads you're going to build, you
might need a planer, drum sander, biscuit joiner and glue.
Helpful
Search Terms
Building Stair Stringers
How to Make Stair Stringers
Outdoor Stair Treads
Wood Stair Treads
How to Layout Stair Stringer
Concrete Stair Treads
Stone Stair Treads
Basic Stair Building
