A Simple Guide to Laying Underlay on Stairs
When re-decorating your stairs, underlay plays an important role in ensuring comfort, stability, and a high-quality appearance.
However, laying this on a staircase can be trickier than on flat ground. Today, Mersey Flooring will guide you through the process of installing underlay on your stairs.
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a beginner, we will make the process as smooth as possible. For high-quality underlay, browse our flooring accessories today.
Tools and Materials
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Tape measure
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Utility knife
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Spirit level
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Staple gun and staples
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Straight edge
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Scissors and pencil
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Underlay
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Sandpaper
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Wood filler or concrete patch
PPE: Ensure to wear safety goggles and gloves when working with tools to protect yourself from injury.
Preparing Your Stairs
Preparing your stairs efficiently before installing the underlay will ensure a safe, secure, and smooth fit.
Start by removing old carpet and underlay. Pull up any staples with a hammer or remove any adhesive. If there are any fixtures or fittings on the stairs, remove them to avoid damage.
Then, vacuum and brush the stairs to remove any debris and grime. Inspect each step for signs of cracks or holes and fill them in with wood filler or concrete patch.
After this, use a spirit level to ensure each surface of the step is equal. If uneveness is detected, lightly sand the stairs with sandpaper to ensure a smooth and flat surface.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Laying Underlay on Stairs
Once you have prepared the stairs, it’s time to dive into the process.
1. Measure Your Stairs
Using a measuring tape, measure the width, depth, and height of each step.
If your staircase includes any curves, turns, or irregular shapes, measure these separately. Add a little extra to your measurements to account for any cutting errors.
2. Cut the Underlay
Transfer the measurements from before onto your underlay with a pencil or marker.
Then, using a utility knife and straight edge, cut the straight sections of your underlay for your stairs. Keep the blade straight for a clean cut. Use scissors to trim any excess material that hangs over the steps.
For corners and curves, cut the underlay to fit using scissors. This offers a more precise cut. After cutting each piece, dry fit it along the area to ensure it fits snugly.
3. Place the Underlay
Starting from the bottom of the staircase, align the underlay on the first step, ensuring it covers the surface evenly.
Press down on the surface with your hands to smooth out any wrinkles. Tuck any pieces of underlay into place, ensuring it fits snugly around edges and corners.
For multiple pieces of underlay, overlap the seams slightly for complete coverage.
4. Secure the Underlay
Once you have placed the underlay, apply staples at regular intervals along the edge of the underlay.
Place them around 6-8 inches apart and closer together at seams and corners for a secure fit. Ensure that each staple embeds into the surface of the stairs without penetrating too deep.
5. Trim Excess Underlay
Once the underlay is completely secured, examine the edges of each stair for any excess material.
Mark in a straight line where the material needs to be trimmed. Then, place a straight edge along the edge of the stairs and trim the underlay with a utility knife.
7. Inspect and Adjust
Once the underlay has been successfully laid, examine the stairs for signs of loose-fitted materials.
Run your hands over the underlay to check for air bubbles, smoothing them out if so. Ensure that any seams are securely fastened and there are no gaps in the material.
Invest in High-Quality Underlay with Mersey Flooring
Are you looking for durable underlay for your stairs, bathroom, or kitchen? If so, Mersey Flooring has just what you need.
From foam to fibreboard, our underlay ensures a comfortable underfoot experience whilst protecting your floor from moisture damage and warping.
Once installed, our underlay will expand the life of your floor. Read our blog on caring for your underlay to ensure a durable installation today.