Stairs

Even if your attic is well insulated, the folding stairs that provides access can be a major source of heat loss. Watch this video to see how to make an insulating cover from foam board to insulate the stairs leading to your attic.

Find out how to repair a loose staircase baluster spindle using only a toothpick and wood glue. Watch this video to see how it's done.

When finishing a basement, be sure the stairs leading to it from the main floor meet building codes and do not pose a safety hazard. Possible areas of concern include the width of the stairs, the height to width ratio of the treads, and clearance at the bottom of the stairs.

To stop steps from squeaking, insert wood shims between the tread and stringer from underneath, or screw the step down from above. Watch this video to find out more.

Robert asks, “I have an older home with wood steps that are squeaking. I’ve tried everything from brackets to screws to shims and nothing works. Can you help?”

If shims and screws haven’t worked, it may be time to try something new. Read on to find out more.

Marie asks, "What's the best way to paint my stairwell?"

To paint your stairwell, position a ladder at the bottom facing the staircase with a walkboard resting on one of the rungs and extending over to the stair tread that is level with it.

In addition to modifying the interior wall framing on the Kuppersmith Project house to allow for added closet space and new doorways, we also removed part of the staircase landing on the second floor to open up the space. Watch this video to see how it was done.

L.J. Smith® Stair Systems has introduced a new Concealed Iron Baluster Installation Kit, making it simpler for homeowners to tackle the DIY project.

Watch this video to see how we fabricated bullnose trim to finish off the heart pine flooring on the staircase landing of the Kuppersmith project house and constructed a new staircase railing that matched the existing one perfectly.