Stair Work

Replacing Old Solid Winder Treads with Engineered Flooring

I love a challenge.

The mission here was to replace the original solid hardwood treads with the same engineered flooring product as the recently changed floors above and below. In order to maintain the same architectural style and identical code-required stair heights, replacement of each single tread required addition of a total of thirteen individual pieces after removing original treads, starting with added framing and substrate to make up the difference in thickness between old and new finish materials, while taking care to maintain the structural integrity of the existing newell posts. Fitting the pre-finished flooring itself to the irregular winding tread shapes involved multiple odd-shaped mitered pieces for each and precise joinery techniques to adapt the material to a purpose for which it was not designed. Available materials were limited, and mistakes could not have been corrected in a timely fashion due to Covid-related supply chain delays at the time. So even more than usually, the time-honored adage, "Measure twice, cut once," along with extensive use of templates to produce precise shapes on the first attempt was the standard operating procedure throughout. Working with pre-finished material, sanding to fair off minor misalignments wsa not an opton. This was the kind of work that demands 100% focus from start to finish --- the kind of challenge that keeps the spirit of craftsmanship alive.

Shallow Stairs accommodate Therapist's Clients using Walkers

The beautiful stairway Michael built for me is several years old now. But I still have passerby's making comments and friends calling me to say how beautiful the stairway is. This was a very specific design to accommodate people using walkers. Construction was challenged by working around roots of a large pine tree. Mike spent days measuring, imagining and consulting with me until he came up with a design that was gracious and sturdy. His eye for harmony and his skill and imagination have created a real centerpiece for my home. --- Janice R., Urbana IL