So about a month ago while at Rona for another project, I came across a pallet of oak stair treads and risers, the treads were $25 each. My basement stairs are super beat up after years of it the basement being my shop before I had a garage, so I've been thinking about what to do with them no that they are only handling normal house duties. Given covid, it seemed like a good opportunity for a little project. So I bout one tread and riser, and they looked like they would fit well.
I had a chat with Bigtime, who saved me loads of money on the risers by recommending just grabbing a sheet of 1/4" oak from him, (and I picked up a Kregg circular saw jig while I was at it, because every project needs a new tool) and using those instead of 3/4" thick risers. Sold!
I ended up building a tread gauge, which I highly recommend, as most stairs are not straight or square, certainly not my 65 year old ones. They also had an odd construction, which required an extra piece of trim, shimmed to my uneven walls. The gauge is really easy to make, and ensures a mostly tight fit, for the treads and risers. Mine were pretty uneven, nothing a little molding sealant wouldn't take care of at the end.
Anyway, a pretty enjoyable job, compared to some home renos I've done. I only wish I still had some of my shop in the basement, as the numerous trips in and out were done extremely rapidly in the cold!
All in it was around $300.
Spoiler!
Before:
After:
Tread gauge:
