**COMPLETED** DIY Curved Staircase from rough-sawn lumber --= Lots of Pictures=--
About two years ago, I got the green light from the wife to do a little renovation on our little 3 bedroom shack. It started out innocent enough (replace the tile, carpet, repaint, etc) and it snowballed into a complete overhaul. I ripped the entire house apart to bare wood & floor joist. Needless to say, with my full-time job and 3 kids (2 toddlers and a newborn), it is taking forever (also, my lack of skill/knowledge/time might have something to do with it lol). As of right now, the only room that is "done" is my garage workshop.
I have spent $2,577.82 to date on this set of stairs. For more details on the cost break down, go to my post #81
Disclaimer: I am NOT a woodworker/carpenter/contractor by trade, just a hobbyist. I have never done this before (build staircase). I am just a new homeowner trying to save a few bucks by doing everything myself. I build window shutters for a living (pcshutters.ca). If anybody is interested, I might put together a little "how-to" wooden shutters DIY with limited tools.
Here is my builder-grade carpeted stairs
Before vs After Photos
The very first step is to remove the carpets..I don't have any picture of that but here is a picture of it a little later on
Since my stair has A LOT of curves, I figured I better learn how to make the curved template and pattern routing. I started making the curved transition piece on the second floor. I really like the look and feel of black walnut so I used that. I recently completed hardwood floor installation on my second floor, my subfloor is 1-1/2" thick plus the hardwood floor, it is over 2 inches thick. Hence, my transitional piece between the hardwood floor and the stairs need to 1-3/4"
Here is me gluing up the walnut pieces that I have in stock
The transition pieces installed. I know I could do a little better job selecting the wood so that the joint look less noticeable. But I don't want to. I want to use this figured walnut piece at the top of my stairs so I can see it every time I walk up. Plus that joint line will mostly be covered by my newel post later.
Look at my figured walnut piece after ONE coat of polyurethane. My absolute favourite piece.
The curve on the other side
I have spent $2,577.82 to date on this set of stairs. For more details on the cost break down, go to my post #81
Disclaimer: I am NOT a woodworker/carpenter/contractor by trade, just a hobbyist. I have never done this before (build staircase). I am just a new homeowner trying to save a few bucks by doing everything myself. I build window shutters for a living (pcshutters.ca). If anybody is interested, I might put together a little "how-to" wooden shutters DIY with limited tools.
Here is my builder-grade carpeted stairs
Before vs After Photos
The very first step is to remove the carpets..I don't have any picture of that but here is a picture of it a little later on
Since my stair has A LOT of curves, I figured I better learn how to make the curved template and pattern routing. I started making the curved transition piece on the second floor. I really like the look and feel of black walnut so I used that. I recently completed hardwood floor installation on my second floor, my subfloor is 1-1/2" thick plus the hardwood floor, it is over 2 inches thick. Hence, my transitional piece between the hardwood floor and the stairs need to 1-3/4"
Here is me gluing up the walnut pieces that I have in stock
The transition pieces installed. I know I could do a little better job selecting the wood so that the joint look less noticeable. But I don't want to. I want to use this figured walnut piece at the top of my stairs so I can see it every time I walk up. Plus that joint line will mostly be covered by my newel post later.
Look at my figured walnut piece after ONE coat of polyurethane. My absolute favourite piece.
The curve on the other side
Last edited by PCShutters on Nov 11th, 2018 9:40 pm, edited 12 times in total.
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. How do you get the time to do all that?