Scavenger Chic

Adding Stair Backs to Existing Stair Risers

• By Joan
• March 19, 2025
• 2 Comments

Adding Stair Backs to Existing Stair Risers

My son and his wife moved into their 1930’s home a few years ago.  Before they moved in we spent several weeks painting and updating just about every surface in the house with the exception of the basement…that was left for another time.

I vowed to return one day and put backs on those basement stairs.  After all, I have 2 granddaughters who live there and I know what it’s like to have open backs on your stairs.  When I moved into a new home when I was a 6 there were open stairs leading into the scary unfinished basement.  I had a continuous nightmare of falling thru the back of the stairs onto the cement floor below.  I would always wake just before hitting the ground.  I needed to save those girls from that nightmare.

And we all know that’s where the monsters hide to grab your ankles as you run up the stairs.

I asked my daughter-in-law if the girls had the same worries.  She said no, they never used the basement.  OK, there’s that, but I still had to save them.  

You can tell this is an old house…beautiful oak hardwood flooring on the main floor descending into unfinished concrete.

At my granddaughters birthday party I finally took the opportunity to take measurements of each and every step.  It’s an old house, don’t leave it to chance.

Armed with all my measurements. I bought a 4×8 sheet of 1/4″ sanded plywood.   I had the local hardware store cut  the piece lengthwise equal to the width of my widest stair (30 1/2″) so I could get that thing in my car.    With a 4×8 sheet you should still have plenty of wood left for that next project.

After that it was fairly easy to cut each piece to the measurement I had written down.  With the exception of the bottom stair, most were off no more than 1/2″.  If they are different sizes, number as you go.

While still at home, I gave each piece their first coat of paint.  I was lucky enough to have some of this Oooops paint from Home Depot leftover from painting the cinderblock walls in the playhouse.

A  nice dark gray which works perfectly in a basement.  It can always be painted over if they find a better color.

I had my granddaughter place the backs in place.  Adjust if needed.

When all were placed, use a nail gun if you have one, or just finishing nails to attach the backs to the existing stair risers.

Fill all your gaps and holes with a paintable caulk.  Let dry.

That hole next to the upper stair tread was a little large for my little caulk gun.  I’ll leave that one for another day.

Before painting make sure the existing treads are dirt and dog hair free  (they have a very large, very hairy Bernese Mountain dog).

Paint your second coat on the stair backs and the treads.

A new view from the top.  The treads appear to be a different color since the right side is still drying.  I had to do these in  2 stages so I wouldn’t be stuck in the basement while the paint dried.  

Stand back and admire your work.  No more monsters grabbing you by the ankles as you run up the stairs. 

As always, until next time, stay inspired.

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