Starting Steps, Treads, Risers
1. When ordering a double-bullnose starting step, what do I need to measure?
The "throat" measurement, which is the finished skirtboard outside to outside measurement.
2. What is the difference between stringers and skirtboard?
Stringers are used under the treads and risers to support the stairways; the skirtboard is decorative trim.
3. Do L.J. Smith starting steps come with the moulding?
Yes, it comes packaged with the necessary curved and straight shoe and cove moulding.
4. Are L.J. Smith treads edge-glued, solid, engineered, or laminated?
L.J. Smith offers edge glued treads. Solid treads are not offered. They would be too susceptible to bowing and cupping.
5. What is the largest custom tread size available?
L.J. Smith will quote up to 192" long and 40" wide depending upon the specie.
6. Are treads and risers available in beech?
No. The type of material needed for these products is not available in beech. Maple may be a suitable substitute.
7. What is a false tread?
Tread cap installed over a portion of the rough framed tread on the open or closed side of a stairway to simulate the look of a solid tread after a carpet runner is installed.
8. What is landing tread?
Moulding used to give the appearance of a tread with nosing at the top riser of a flight of stairs and along the open edge of second floor balconies and intermediate landings.
9. What is a winder tread?
A tread with a greater run on one end than the other. Sometimes referred to as a pie tread. Available from L.J. Smith on a quoted basis - not a standard item.
10. What is the advantage of the LJ-8079 false tread kit over the industry-standard kits?
The LJ-8079 comes with everything; the tread, the riser, and the unattached moulding. This kit will handle an open right, open left or closed tread situation, making take-offs easier while reducing mistakes.
11. What is the proper way to measure and order treads for a stair open on one side?
Select one tread for each step. Determine tread depth - 10 1/2" or 11 1/2". Measure and add 1 1/4" to the stringer to stringer measurement. Determine if RH, LH or 1RV (reversible) mitre is required. Order next longest standard length tread available.
12. What is the proper way to measure and order treads for a stair open on both sides?
Select one tread for each step. Determine tread depth - 10 1/2" or 11 1/2". Measure and order the throat size for finished outside skirtboard to outside skirtboard measurement.
13. What is the proper way to measure and order risers for a stairway?
Select one riser for each step and one more riser than tread for the landing, per flight. Determine riser height - 7 1/2" or 8". Measure and order next longest standard length riser available.
14. What is the proper way to measure and order landing tread?
Select sufficient lineal footage for the entire balcony and width of stairs at each landing. LJ-8090-5 is suitable for all newels up to and including those that are a 4" square.
15. What is cove moulding? What is the proper way to measure and order cove moulding?
Cove moulding is a decorative trim used to cover the joint between the tread and the riser and the landing tread and the riser and/or fascia. Select sufficient lineal footage to go under all tread nosing including mitre returns and under all landing tread. Cove moulding is optional. Used for cosmetic purposes only.
16. Which starting steps are used with volutes or turnouts? With Post-to-post newels? With box newels? With 90 degree starting fittings?
LJ-8010/8015, LJ-8210/8215 or LJ-8310/8315. The handrail profile will determine what size bullnose is required. LJ-8040 or LJ-8060 should be used when post-to-post newels are used and placed at the second riser. LJ-8040, LJ-8060, LJ-8030, or LJ-8050 can be used with box newels. The LJ-8440/8460, LJ-8640/8660 should be used with a 90 degree starting fitting. The handrail profile will determine what size bullnose is required. (See the L.J. Smith catalog)
17. What is unique about the L.J. Smith miter return treads?
L.J. Smith miter-returns are curve-cut for a better appearance rather than mitered or straight cut.
18. What numbers do the starting steps, treads, and risers begin with?
Starting Steps: LJ-8xxx Treads: 8070xxxx Risers: LJ8075xxxx
19. Why do the part #'s for all treads and risers for Hard Maple say Maple?
All the treads and risers are manufactured from Hard Maple material, but to be consistent with other maple products the part numbers are in our computer system as Maple.
20. Are the risers on starting steps solid oak?
No, risers on starting steps are notched plywood with a solid oak veneer.
21. Are treads one solid piece of material?
No. Solid treads are not offered. They would be too susceptible to bowing or cupping.
22. Does the throat measurement on one end miter return treads have to be specified when ordering?
No. The throat measurement on one-end miter return treads is not necessary. However, the overall length of the tread is specified, which includes the 1-1/4" return width. When ordering a 48" mitered one end tread the actual throat measurement is 48" overall, less 1-1/4" return nosing, leaving a 46-3/4" throat.
23. Can a quote be done for a custom throat measurement on the double bull-nosed bowed starting steps?
Yes, any throat measurement other than a 48" must be quoted.
24. Are the risers included with the LJ line false tread kits?
Yes. Unlike the S line false tread kits in which the riser has to be ordered separately, the riser is included in the LJ line of false treads.
25. Are specific lengths of landing tread, false tread mould, cove mould, etc.available?
Yes. Specified length red oak landing tread is available in 8' -16' lengths. Other species and all other mouldings can be quoted for specified lengths.
26. Do you have to specify right hand or left hand on the starting steps?
No. They are reversible on all standard species. Some custom species will require specifications which will be noted on the quote.
27. What is the difference between "LJ" and "S" false treads?
The LJ-line false treads are reversible and can be assembled or cut on the job site and come with a false riser. When ordering the S-line false treads, you must designate right or left hand, and they are pre-assembled. S-line false treads do not come with a false riser. The riser must be ordered separately.
28. What type of Landing Tread is available? Which one is most recommended?
We offer three standard landing treads: LJ-8090 which has a rounded nose, is 3-1/2” deep and can only be used with newels less than 3-1/2” square. The LJ-8090-5 has a rounded nose and LJ-8890-5 has a square nose; both are 5 ¼" deep and suitable for all newels up to and including those that are a 4" square. The most commonly used design is the LJ-8090-5.
29. What are the depths of the treads?
The tread depths either 10 ½" or 11 ½".
30. Is the LJ-8079 False Tread Kit reversible?
Yes, it can be used on open treads LH, open treads RH, or closed treads.
31. What is the measurement between the returns on a tread ordered as a standard 42” tread with miter returns on both ends?
Subtract 2-3/8" (1 3/16" for each return) to get the throat measurement = 39 5/8" [Throat measurement = finished outside-to-outside (stair width + drywall + skirtboard)]