Q: What is the difference between flush stair nose and overlapping stair nose? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
Berta R.
Tucson, AZ
A: Based on the type of nosing you choose will determine the look and utility of your installation for your stairs. Flush nosing will tend to have a more professional or custom look, as the molding and planks of flooring sit evenly. Although this tends to look better, the downside is that you have a bit less expansion gap potential, so you should leave a bit more room underneath the riser for expansion.
Overlap nosing will have the visible appearance of the overlap, but you get a bit more leniency with your expansion gap, as you can lean a small gap under the overlap and the remainder of your gap under the riser. Also, unlike a flush nosing, you can typically match an overlap nosing of proper height up to any floor, regardless of joint, whereas the flush nosing requires the same joint; for laminate you would want a flush nosing with the exact same locking mechanism, typically from the same line of flooring matched to the floor.
