Rubber Stair tread Installation


Notice: For best results, review the following guidelines prior to installation. Shaw will not be responsible for improper installation and installation of visual manufacturing defected products. Failure to follow these guidelines and sanding the back of each tread, including the back side of the nose prior to installation may result in limiting warranty coverage. 

These installation procedures are intended to assist in the indoor installation of stair treads under most job conditions.  For speciļ¬c questions regarding installation not covered within or refer to Technical Support at 800.471.7429.  Any variance from these procedures will become the responsibility of the installer and not the manufacturer.

GENERAL SETUP

Shaw stairwell management system and adhesives should be stored on the job site for 48 hours prior to the start of the installation.  Remove the treads from the cartons or pallet to ensure the treads are acclimated to the ambient temperature. Ambient and product temperatures should be maintained between 65° F and 85° 48 hours prior, during and permanently after installation.

SUB-FLOOR PREPARATION

All staircases must be structurally sound, dry, clean and free of dirt, dust, wax, grease, paint, polishes, oil, curing compounds, sealers, adhesives and all other materials that would interfere with good adhesion. The floor surface must be smooth and flat with a maximum variation of 1/8” in 10 feet.
 
Fill depressions or cracks with a cementitious patching / leveling compound that meet or exceed Shaw Industries maximum moisture level and pH requirements. Use of gypsum-based patching and/or leveling compounds which contain Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are acceptable. Any uncorrected sub-floor irregularities may telegraph through the stair tread and be visible on the surface of the finished installation.
 
TERRAZZO STAIRCASES
Inspect the terrazzo for any sealer or film on the surface.  This must be removed before proceeding with the installation. In addition, the surface must be abraded in order for adhesive to bond sufficiently.
 
CERAMIC TILE
All ceramic tiles must be bonded securely to the substrate.  Any loose tile or damaged areas would need to be repaired.  Apply leveling compound to fill grout lines and achieve a smooth surface prior to installation.
 
EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING
Shaw does not recommend, nor do they warrant, any installation over existing resilient materials. All resilient material must be removed prior to any installation of Shaw products and the subfloor prepared per Shaw’s recommendations.
 
WOOD STAIRCASES
Stair tread may be installed over wood staircases. The substrate must be dry, clean, free from raised nails, screws, paint, oils, solvents, floor finishes, adhesives and urethanes, and any other extraneous materials.
 
METAL DECKS
Metal substrates must be thoroughly sanded.  Metal decking must be flat, dry, clean and free from dust, paint, asphalt, old adhesives, grease, oil, rust and other extraneous material.  

ADHESIVE / CAULK

One Part acrylic adhesive such as TTT (Tread Trim Transition adhesive) formulated to permanently install vinyl stair treads and to ensure product stability and reduce joint openings. This adhesive has been formulated to produce a hard set and firm bond which is less susceptible to indentation and telegraphing.
 
Epoxy Nose-Caulking Compound is a solvent-free, two-component Epoxy designed for use with vinyl stair treads has been formulated to produce a superior, hard setting bond required for use in high traffic applications.
 
Both products can be used over properly prepared porous and non-porous surfaces such as concrete, underlayment grade plywood, cementitious based patching compounds and levelers. 

INSTALLATION OF STAIRWELL SYSTEM

STRINGER:

  • Cardboard for a template

  • 25 ft retractable rule

  • Retractable knife

  • Spare blades

  • Pencil

  • Masking Tape

  • Trowel 1/16” x 1/16” x 1/16”

  • Resilient handheld roller 

SMART STEP INTEGRATED 1 PC RUBBER TREAD:

  • Multi-angle stair tread cutting system / 13” Radial arm cross cut saw or portable table saw

  • 25 ft retractable rule

  • Retractable knife

  • Spare blades

  • Pencil

  • Masking tape

  • Trowel 1/16” x 1/16” x 1/16”

  • Resilient handheld roller

     

 STRINGER INSTALLATION

Stringers are applied to walls vertical surfaces next to the stair tread.

  • Make a template in cardboard or an appropriate material.

  • Measure the height and depth of each step and transfer the measurements to the template. 

  • Rough cut the template.

  • Fit template to stairs and trim template where necessary to obtain a snug fit to the staircase.

  • Cut stringer material utilizing template.  Dry-fit stringer material to staircase and make any necessary adjustments before permanent installation.

  • Refer to the adhesive instructions for proper use of the adhesive.

  • Position and install the stringer followed by hand rolling to ensure that the adhesive transferred.

  • Clean up any excessive adhesive before the stair treads are installed. 

EPOXY NOSE-CAULKING COMPOUND PREPARATION – for use with Smart Step Integrated 1 Pc & Rubber Nosing

  • Dry fit Smart Step Integrated 1 Pc Stair Tread or Rubber Nosing prior to filler preparation.

  • Cut the mixing nozzle to an inside diameter of 3/8”. Do Not Remove the internal mixer.

  • Remove the end cap and attach the mixing nozzle with the retaining nut to the cartridge.

  • Purge the mixing nozzle before each use with approximately 1 to 2” of compound, dispose of the  purge material.

  • The filler is ready for use.  Coverage will be approximately 25 linear feet with a 3/8” bead.

  • Cartridges with remaining compound may be reused again by replacing the mixing nozzle at the time of your next use. 

INSTALLATION SMART STEP INTREGRATED 1 PC (RISER INCLUDED) RUBBER STAIR TREAD

  • Smart Step one-piece tread-riser combination must be trimmed to fit and dry laid on each step, prior to any adhesive application.  Each step in the staircase may be different

  • Begin installation at the top of the stairs

  • Make sure all conditions are met regarding surface preparation before starting the installation.

  • Scuff back of tread and under nose with 60 grit sandpaper prior to installation.

  • Wipe the back of each tread with a clean dry cloth to remove any debris.

  • Place the Cove Stick against the base of riser on the step.  Trim the length of the cove stick to the length of the step and adhere to the step with adhesive.  Refer to the adhesive instructions for proper use of the adhesive.

  • Measure the width of the step and mark the center of the riser with a pencil.

  • Measure the width of the tread and mark the center of the tread riser with a pencil.

  • Place the tread on the stair with the right hand side of the tread held firmly against the riser. 

  • Using a set of dividers, set them approximately 1/16” wider than the distance between the mark on the riser and the mark on the tread.

  • Move to the right hand side of the step.  Place one needle on the stringer and the other on the tread.  Using firm pressure on both needles scribe the end of the tread.

  • Use a utility knife to cut the tread along the mark scribed by the dividers.

  • Place the trimmed tread on the stair, push the left hand side of the tread firmly against the riser and repeat the process of scribing with a divider 1/16” wider than the distance between the two marks and cut the tread.

  • The integrated riser can be fitted to the nose in one of two ways as outlined below.

Option 1 – Butting the riser to the nose.

  • Fit integrated riser tight to the bottom of the nosing installed above the current step.  Scribe the riser at the point it contacts the nose & use a utility knife to cut the riser along the scribed line.

Option 2 – Lapping the riser under the nose.

  • Risers do not normally require trimming. 

  • If the riser extends beyond the top of the step, trim the riser to 1/4”-1/2” below the top of the step.
     

If the substrate is porous:

  • Spread Shaw adhesive on step, riser and cove stick using specified trowel.  Allow the adhesive to flash off for 5 – 10 minutes. 

  • Apply Nose-Caulking Compound to the inside of the tread nose and on the face of the step edge to adequately fill the void.  Apply enough compound inside the tread/nosing so when the nosing is pressed into place the compound will conform to the step edge & achieve 100% contact between the nosing area and the step edge. Leave ½” along each side of the nose free of any compound. The Nose-Caulking Compound needs to be positioned within 10 minutes of applying to the compound.

  • Starting with the step edge lay the tread in place working the profile up the riser and meeting the next nose for a square step.

  • Thoroughly roll the tread and riser with a resilient handheld roller, being careful to not roll the edge of the nose where the nose caulk has been applied.  Rolling the nose will displace the caulk and reduce the caulk’s performance.

  • Work down to the next step following the same procedure until all steps are completed.

  • Wipe up spills with mineral spirits and clean cloths before any adhesive or compound sets up.

If the substrate is nonporous:

  • Spread Shaw adhesive on step, riser and cove stick using specified trowel.  Allow the adhesive to dry to the touch. When you run your fingers across the trowel ridges, the ridges should be pliable with moderate finger pressure. From the time the adhesive is dry to the touch there is 45 – 75 minutes to lay the stair tread into position.

  • Apply Nose-Caulking Compound to the inside of the tread nose and on the face of the step edge to adequately fill the void.  Apply enough compound inside the tread/nosing so when the nosing is pressed into place the compound will conform to the step edge & achieve 100% contact between the nosing area and the step edge. Leave ½” along each side of the nose free of any compound. The Nose-Caulking Compound needs to be positioned within 10 minutes of applying to the compound.

  • Starting with the step edge lay the tread in place working the profile up the riser and meeting the next nose for a square step.

  • Thoroughly roll the tread and riser with a resilient handheld roller, being careful to not roll the edge of the nose where the nose caulk has been applied.  Rolling the nose will displace the caulk and reduce the caulk’s performance.

  • Work down to the next step following the same procedure until all steps are completed.

  • Wipe off any excess amounts of adhesive with a damp cloth. If needed, use a solvent such as Isopropyl Alcohol or Odorless Mineral Spirits to remove adhesive that has dried. Never scrape dried adhesive,

RUBBER NOSING INSTALLATION

  • Make sure all conditions are met regarding surface preparation before starting the installation.

  • Fill any voids in the wood or concrete steps with a cementitious-based patching compound.

  • Measure, trim and dry-fit the stair nosing to each step.

  • Scuff back of nosing with 60 grit sandpaper prior to installation.

  • Wipe the back of the trimmed nosing with a clean dry cloth to remove any debris.

  • Mix the Adhesive for the steps according to the directions, using correct trowel.

  • Apply the adhesive to the step in the same manner as used for the stair treads, following instructions for either the porous or non-porous substrate.

  • Using Epoxy Nose-Caulking Compound turn over the nose placing a bead of compound on the inside of the corner.

  • Flip the nosing over, centering the nose to the step edge and press the nosing uniformly and firmly to the step edge.

  • Roll area of nosing with hand roller staying 1” away from the edge. Do not displace the Shaw nose caulk applied under the nose.

  • Tape in place for 24 hours.

 
 
Revision: 11112019
Tech Services 1-800-471-7429