[DanDaMan]

I'm planning a new project to add new flooring to my entryway. I have a L-shaped all oak staircase with oak ballusters going up some stairs. I obviously will need to remove the staircase in order to get the new floor under the staircase and ballusters. My question is what is the easiest way to do this.

The style I have is the top rail has a groove underneath where each ballaster slides into, and I assume was brad nailed in, and then a small 1/8" cover goes into the groove to make it smooth. My understanding is that each balluster is likely attached to the bottom via a lag screw which is where the majority of the strength comes from.

What I am considering is to cut each balluster flush where they attach to the ground, and basically be able to have the entire staircase sitting free. I would then remove the old screw and add a long dowel. I would then install the new floor, slightly lifting the particular balluster as I get to it and ensure a small hole is pre-drilled into the floor to align with the dowel. When all done, I would add wood glue to each dowel and basically slide all ballusters down into their dowel at the same time.

Any thoughts on this? Or is there another method that is usually done in these cases.

Thanks

 

[de-nagorg]

I be confused, are you talking about stair tread replacement, instead of floor?

ED

 

[DanDaMan]

No, I want to add t&g laminate style floor down. But the ballusters touch the floor and have about an 2" visible floor on the edges. When putting down new floor I'd new to have this section covered too.

I'm considering of basically de-attaching the staircase so I can install the new floor and then re-attaching.

Though on 2nd thought, I might just leave the staircase and cut the new floor to fit around each ballaster. It is lots of work and fine cutting to make it look good but probably the easier way in the end vs removing the staircase

 

[de-nagorg]

I vote plan B.

Then you can use lots of short trim pieces to cover any mis cut spots, and add a touch of elegance to the area.

Seems like a lot of hassle, cutting each baluster and then trying to align a dowel pin on each one to reinstall.


ED

 

[Nealtw]

No, I want to add t&g laminate style floor down. But the ballusters touch the floor and have about an 2" visible floor on the edges. When putting down new floor I'd new to have this section covered too.

I'm considering of basically de-attaching the staircase so I can install the new floor and then re-attaching.

Though on 2nd thought, I might just leave the staircase and cut the new floor to fit around each ballaster. It is lots of work and fine cutting to make it look good but probably the easier way in the end vs removing the staircase

Can you post a picture. Or 3?

 

[Mystriss]

Pictures would be really helpful, but your description of the handrail sounds exactly like the one I pulled off my stairs.

I'm actually replacing my balusters with square iron rods that have "shoes" at the bottom which the balusters are secured into. I imagine you could make your own "shoes" with some of wood trim.

 

[Nealtw]

Pictures would be really helpful, but your description of the handrail sounds exactly like the one I pulled off my stairs.

I'm actually replacing my balusters with square iron rods that have "shoes" at the bottom which the balusters are secured into. I imagine you could make your own "shoes" with some of wood trim.

I want to see what a removable stair case looks like. :wink2:

 

[Mystriss]

I'm picturing something along these lines:

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00ZeVaFWstESkg/Complete-Solid-Wood-L-Shape-Staircase-SH8008-.jpg