We are replacing our oak floors and stair with IPE. The stairs currently have 3/4" planks with a stair nose. When we put the IPE in, we are using solid 1" stair treads. Any suggestions on how to layout these three odd steps? Maybe one tread with no returns and a 2nd tread with a left hand return? You could not do a 45deg miter so it may not look right. Any creative ideas?

I might get rid of the boxes, and go wall to wall, if your not attached to them. Also maybe that plug outlet on the 4th step, or is it the 2nd...um...box step.

O.k. here's another idea....You can install tred by quarter turning the box section and a 45 mitre at the long section, then laminate a nose to the end of the box section.

But I may consider the 1st option.

That's an interesting idea Howard. I did a quick and dirty mock up in Photoshop of this. Also removed the outlet.

I agree. I think the best way to do it would be to remove the boxes and install the treads wall to wall. If the boxes serve a purpose, them maybe consider using stair nosing and flooring for each of them.

That photo shop . Now to me , that's a clean look, it also opened up the staircase. Can't wait to see that quarter round go . IMHO the boxes may have been a good look at the time Maybe the plug was for a lava lamp

I wish I could learn that Photoshop program. I'll have to sit down and get serious with it...but as the years pass it gets harder to absorb the stuff. Oh how I would have loved this stuff when I was younger and I had better whatchacallit...Umm what's that word? Comprehension

If I go with a full length tread, would that be awkward having that short return on the landing sticking out into your path as you walk up the stairs?

Matter of opinion. But I think that return looks o.k., and shouldn't, or doesn't obstruct the path, by eye or physically. Walk it up a few times, trying to imagine the boxes were gone, see what you think. Those boxes make me dizzy. Just my opinion. Of coarse I dont know, but I'll bet there's a good chance that return is structural. But Like I said...IMHO it doesn't matter.

You could put a railing even with that short wall and use the stairs to the left for display, or even without a railing.

I like the boxes. Template, glue up a blank and mill it out.

The (my) wife would love the boxes for plants up the staircase.


To make it look decent without then, you would need to take out the little wall that matches the size of the boxes, so the staircase doesn't narrow at the one step.

I like the boxes as well. Without them it looks to plain Jane. I could figure out many ways to use those boxes. Can't you just have some custom treads made for them?