Hardwood stairs installed without skirt.

rosend2012

12 years ago

I recently had maple hardwood floors and stairs installed replacing carpet. I was out of town during the installation. When I returned, I was not pleased with the unsightly gap between the stairs and the wallboard. It occurred to me only after seeing this that the problem is no stair skirting. Though I do take credit for not specifying a skirt be added, I am desperate to find a solution. The installer and my contractor are telling me that it would not be feasible to add a skirt at this point and didn't think it could be done without removing the bullnose and tread, very expensive. Any ideas on what I could do to remedy the gap? The installer recommended putty in the gap but the painter is now telling me that putty would give the appearance of paint on the top of the stair. I'm literally sick about this mistake! Any ideas as to what can be done to remedy this dilemma?

Featured Answer

pdlangan

10 years ago

I had the same problem... I forgot to ask for a skirt. It looked unfinished even with some small trim at the landings. So I spent a weekend making a skirt myself.

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Comments (17)

saratogaswizzlestick
12 years ago
Quarter round or shoe molding.
PRO
SoCal Contractor
12 years ago
As mentioned, quarter round/shoe moulding would solve the issue. You can also add a baseboard and have it cut around the stair nosing but it might look too busy...
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rosend2012
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you, I was hoping for more height. Would you also run the moulding down the tread or just on the top of the stairs. Would the moulding run to the end of the bull nose and how would it be finished on the cut edge?
PRO
Select Hardwood Floor Co.
12 years ago
About the best solution at this point is base on the landing and fill the gaps along the wall on the treads & risers (if the photo is as bad as it gets).
Skirting would have been something to address beforehand.
PRO
PPF.
12 years ago
Can't imagine someone selling this job and not suggesting that a skirt board needed to be installed, or the installer not stopping and making a call.

Not a stair person, but could a skirt board be installed after the fact?
bungalowmo
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I think quarter rounds will look too skimpy! If you want something meatier, here's an example.

My kitchen steps the day I moved in.

My trim & moldings are about 7"
bungalowmo
12 years ago
I have it going up to the second floor too. Might be a better shot of the detail.
s4quattro
12 years ago
How about another layer of drywall?
Lynda
12 years ago
I would have them remove the treads and install the skirt. Yes, it will be extra work, but without the skirt, I don't know if it would look finished?
PRO
User
12 years ago
Stair skirts are often scribed into place ( http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/04/16/scribing-skirt-boards/). Call a contractor who specializes in stairs- you should be able to find someone who can do a nice job without removing any treads or nosing.
Lynda
12 years ago
Great site - wish I had him as my finish carpenter when I built my home. Looks like there's your answer - find a skilled carpenter that knows what he's doing!
Hemara
11 years ago
Rosend2012 - what was your final sloution? Have identical issue, particularly at top of stair where stair lands into the room. The room skirting currently stops at the landing and looks terrible. I'm reluctant to introduce a scribed skirting board but is only 'get out of jail' solution I currently have. There goes the mimilist look! Any other feedback welcome.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
11 years ago
x2 what Buck said, a skirt can be added, most stair companies who make stairs and install railings or a finish carpenter can add a skirt board to existing staircase... The trick is precise line transfer of existing stair onto a board and precise cutting.
rosend2012
Original Author
11 years ago
Hemara, I spoke with a couple of contractors specializing in stairs that didn't think scribing a skirt was the answer (time consuming or not in their skill set), and the expense of removing the stairs and adding a skirt deterred me from that solution as well. My contractor 'fixed' it by caulking the gaps, not bad and now that it's finished, hardly noticeable.
vnemirovsky
11 years ago
I am trying to find maple hardwood that looks yellowish - yours seems to be that way. What is the name of the brand of the hardwood that you installed?
User
8 years ago
Just because someones a contractor means nothing, over 1/2 them are only as good as their subs and that isn't saying much if anything at all. I always ask new subs to see work in progress and completed...at least so i know what to watch for and where to begin the training process if needed just because they are screwing you over doesn't mean they are me.