DIYguy2000

We recently installed new hardwood on our main floor ourselves. We also had new carpet installed on the stairs leading to the second floor (by someone else). The carpet people told me to have the hardwood finished first, and said to leave a small gap between the hardwood and first step so they could tuck in the carpet.

Well... I left too much of a gap apparently, about 1/4 to 1/2". I'm wondering what my best option is:

1. rip a thin strip of hardwood and glue it down in place, snug against the carpeted step?

2. use shoe moulding (quarter round) to hide the gap? (I don't like the idea of nailing the shoe moulding to a carpeted step though.. seems weird)

3. anything else?

The problem about the shoe moulding is that one side of the step is rounded. I've looked at PVC shoe moulding for flexibility to make the curve, but the curve radius is too sharp and PVC won't bend that much. Someone mentioned making small cuts in the back of the PVC to allow it to bend more. Someone else mentioned to find my radius and make a bunch of small mitre cuts on the shoe moulding to make the curve.

Any other ideas?

I can post a picture later if you're having a hard time imagining what I'm talking about. In the absence of a digital camera, I've made good use of "Paint"!

Have an idea? send it my way!

Thanks

Dave

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Ron6519

There was no reason to leave a gap. I've seen hardwood floors installed in 60 year old houses where the flooring was tight to the stairs with no issues what so ever. Carpet installers do this installation all the time in preexisting conditions and it looks fine. Stair companies should be able to supply you with a molding that wraps around the step you can just nail in place.
Ron

DIYguy2000

Thanks for the reply. The carpet guys have been in business for 30 some years... I would have preferred to do what you said, I'm sure it would have looked much nicer. Do you know if Home Depot or Lowes (or anyone online) would have that type of moulding? when I was at Home Depot last they weren't able to offer any solutions.

Thanks,

Dave

Ron6519

You willonly find it from a company that sells stair parts. Specifically the bottom step with the curved end. You can make one yourself with the use of a pattern and a steam box. There is a learning curve to success.
Ron

derf36

I made the same 'mistake' by leaving too much gap when laying the hardwood below my carpeted stairs.

I simply added a 3/8 plywood onto the height of the riser to bring my stairs out. Had the carpet installed and the gap is gone.

Let me know if you want a pic.

Rod

DIYguy2000

No pic is necessary, damage is already done I assumed that the carpet guys would have placed something behind the carpet to bring it flush to the hardwood. Guess I shouldn't assume these things.

I think I'm going to first try to fit a ripped piece of hardwood in the gap. If that fails I will look at doing the fitted moulding if I can find a stair manufacturer/supplier around here. I thought about the steam box idea, but I don't have the supplies and I'm not sure its worth it right now.

Thanks for the ideas, keep 'em coming.

Dave

Ron6519

You can go online and order one. If you have a gap on the curved part, that would be a challange to fill.
Ron

MI-Roger

From your diagram it appears you need the cove molding or shoe molding (your choice) that is part of their part # LJ-8310-2 False End Kit. And a 3 ft to 4 ft length of their cove molding LJ-8095 or shoe molding LJ-8422. Visit their website to verify what you really need.

L.J. Smith Stair Systems
35280 Scio-Bowerston Road
Bowerston, Ohio 44695 USA

Customer Service:
Phone (740) 269-2221
Fax (740) 269-9047