How to Install Vinyl Flooring On Stairs With Nosing in 4 Steps

These days, homeowners are installing vinyl flooring in just about every space imaginable—some even use it on outdoor patios or in RVs. However, staircases can pose a unique challenge, even for seasoned DIYers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to install vinyl plank flooring on stairs, plus a few alternate floor coverings suited for staircase use.

Think About Your Staircase

You likely go up and down your stairs every day without stopping to consider their construction. When you’re installing vinyl plank flooring, it’s important to focus on three key components:

1. Tread – The top horizontal board on each step. Depending on your staircase, it can also be the widest part.
2. Riser – The vertical section at the front of each stair.
3. Stair Nosing – The area that endures a lot of foot traffic, found along the edge of the tread and top of the riser.

If your stairs are hardwood and you might remove the vinyl at some point, keep in mind that you’ll be using adhesive to secure the new flooring. Plan ahead to avoid damage you can’t easily undo. Also, remember to factor in spindles, stringer fascia, and shoe molding. Pre-cut planks made specifically for stairs are another option worth considering.

Manufactured Treads and Risers

While our guide explains how to install vinyl flooring on stairs, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best option for everyone. Boxed vinyl flooring offers an almost unlimited variety of styles and is often relatively inexpensive. That said, some brands produce pre-cut vinyl pieces meant for stair installations—simply glue them in place.

Among the most recognized is Shaw, which offers a product called Treadz. It’s designed to match Shaw’s Floorte and Floorte Pro vinyl collections, but it can be used on any properly prepared staircase. Each piece comes with both tread and nosing, though risers are sold separately.

Another brand with matching treads is Mannington, thanks to their SimpleStairs line. This product covers the top of each stair as well as the nose, and is compatible with Mannington’s Foundation and REALTA SPC vinyl ranges—making them durable, scratch-resistant, and fully waterproof. Not every company carries coordinating pieces, but if they do, it can simplify the installation and help ensure a seamless look with your existing flooring.

For those who don’t need an exact match but still want a hassle-free solution, plenty of other options are available both online and in home improvement stores. Cap A Tread is a popular choice at Home Depot, and there are vinyl treads and risers from many other manufacturers as well.

How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Stairs

When you plan to install traditional plank flooring on a staircase, the first thing to remember before making a tool list are drying times. The stairs in your home will essentially be “out of order” until this project is complete, which could take 24 hours or longer.

If your stairs are carpeted, you’ll need to remove the carpet and prep the surface beforehand. This could include a light sanding or trimming on the nose but is usually minor and nothing homeowners can’t handle. You can lay vinyl plank flooring directly on top of other hard surfaces that are fixed or nailed into place but may ruin the surface below with the adhesives used for the treads or risers.

Tools required to Install Vinyl on Stairs

The number of tools required to install vinyl planks on stairwells is minimal, but there’s one thing that will speed up the job and help homeowners that are new to this type of project. It’s called a stair tread template and can provide you with perfect measurements which ensure a clean fit on short or long stairs.

stair tread template

For measuring, we also recommend picking up a speed square and a good tape measure if you don’t have one lying around the house. You’ll need something to cut vinyl with as well which is surprisingly simple given the right tools. Laminate and vinyl are similar in construction, and while vinyl is thinner, it’s still cut with a powered saw.

Circular saws are the cheapest way to cut vinyl plank flooring, and we’re fans of these tools for their versatility around the house. Floor cutters are an option as well, however, and can be used indoors with no electricity and they do not leave sawdust behind. Adhesive is also required for vinyl plank flooring on stairs, and can actually be the most challenging thing for homeowners to wrap their heads around.

From liquid nails to adhesive caulk, there is no shortage of options when it comes to adhesive for vinyl flooring. While you need a spreader to apply the product in some cases, you should always check the manufacturers’ recommendation for adhesives beforehand. Products like Roberts 7530 mixture are ideal for LVP or WPC vinyl plank flooring, but not the only option.

Products like Gorilla Glue construction adhesive will work, and there are a number of colored and clear caulks to fill in any gaps. You’ll need a caulk gun for most of these products, and It’s still a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the vinyl flooring you plan to use for the best recommendation on an adhesive.

Installing Vinyl Click Lock Plank Flooring on Stairs

If the stairs you plan to install vinyl on have nosing built in, you’ll need to adjust that in one of two ways. You can cut the extra overhang off the tread which will require a jigsaw or oscillating multi-tool. You can also cut and glue a thin sheet of plywood over the riser to give you a flush finish. While more expensive, it can be easier than cutting the nose off a long flight of stairs.

When installing click lock vinyl plank flooring across stairs, it’s recommended to begin at the top and work your way towards the bottom as you’ll need to let the vinyl dry before stepping on it. You also need to ensure the steps are completely free of debris before you start the installation and any major damage or humps have been addressed.

Installing Vinyl Plank Risers

Installing Vinyl on Stair Risers

To install vinyl on the risers of your stairs, start by measuring both the width (across the front face) and the height of each riser. Use a tape measure or a stair tread template to get accurate measurements.

Next, head to your workstation and use a carpenter’s square to mark a straight cut line on the back of the plank—rather than the front. Cut the plank using a saw or flooring cutter, gather your adhesive, and return to the stair you’re working on.

Before you apply adhesive, dry-fit the plank against the riser to make sure the sizing and alignment with the tread are correct. Once you’re satisfied with the fit, apply adhesive to the back in an “S” pattern and press it firmly into place on the riser.

Depending on your stair structure and the thickness of the vinyl, you may need to secure the plank temporarily with small nails or screws while the adhesive dries. If so, place them near the edges where they’ll be concealed later by nosing, stringer fascia, or caulk. Repeat this process for each riser, verifying measurements as you move from the top stair to the bottom.

Installing Vinyl Treads and Nosing on Stairs

Installing vinyl treads follows a similarly straightforward process. Again, begin at the top of the staircase and work downward, measuring each tread carefully. The most critical part is ensuring the outer edge is cut precisely.

If the new vinyl tread extends too far outward, it can interfere with installing stair nosing. In that case, you’ll need to trim the plank before gluing it down. Cutting it too short creates a gap, while cutting it too wide causes overlap with the riser. Always keep the stair nose in mind when measuring the tread depth.

For wide stairs that exceed the width of the planks, you’ll have to make a rip cut and join two pieces together—a task best done with a circular saw. When ripping LVP (luxury vinyl plank), pay attention to the click-lock mechanism and the final measurements to ensure a seamless fit.

As for installing the stair nose, cut the trim piece to size, spread adhesive on the back, and press it firmly in place. Although you can use finish nails along risers or treads, stair nosing is typically thin, so it’s best to avoid fastening it with nails or screws. If you need a shim to bring the nosing flush with the stair edge, nail or screw the shim down first, then install the nosing.

FAQ

Q: How much does it cost to hire a professional to install vinyl on stairs?
A: Costs range from around $300 up to $1,000 or more, depending on the total number of stairs and the region.

Q: Can I use sheet vinyl on stairs?
A: Some homeowners do cut and fit sheet vinyl on stairs, but it’s generally not as durable or well-suited for treads compared to vinyl planks.

Q: Is linoleum better than vinyl for stairs?
A: In our experience, vinyl is simpler to install and offers a broader range of patterns and styles than linoleum.

Q: How do I install peel-and-stick vinyl tiles or planks on stairs?
A: Simply follow the instructions on the packaging. You’ll typically use a utility knife instead of a saw for cutting peel-and-stick materials.

Q: Is vinyl flooring safe for stairs?
A: Yes. It’s a popular choice for staircase updates. Opt for a textured vinyl to improve traction, or install a runner if you’d like additional grip.