[BangHeadHereX]

My house was built in 1913 and as I'm slowly rehabbing it. I started to tear the carpet off the stairs thinking there would be hardwood underneath...Surprise! It looks as if may be fake wood. One part is broken up and it looks like it has a carpet backing texture behind it (the fake wood). Any idea what this is and what era it might belong to? Do I attempt to tear that out or can that be covered? In the end I'd like hardwood stairs...

 

[Termite]

There weren't any composite wood products that long ago to my knowlege. OSB, particleboard and MDF didn't come along until much later.

A picture would sure help us determine what you've got.

 

[BangHeadHereX]

flooring pics

i'm new at this posting thing but pics are taken and i'll work on getting them posted soon!!

 

[stuart45]

Plywood was around at that time, although not usually used for stairs to my knowledge. The treads may have been replaced at some point.

 

[Bud Cline]

Sounds like "nosed closet shelving" made of partical wood and sometimes used for stair treads.