How to turn heavy stair treads into a functional home library
In short: Stair treads are often overlooked architectural leftovers, but they possess the structural integrity needed for high-quality furniture. By repurposing these veneered pieces, you can build a durable bookshelf that mimics professional joinery while utilizing common materials found at any local home center.
The project, featured on 'Ask This Old House,' demonstrates how to transform pine stair treads into a sturdy bookcase using standard power tools like a circular saw and cordless drill. Because the specific materials used are veneered, the finished piece is designated as paint grade rather than stain grade, meaning it requires priming and painting rather than clear finishing to achieve its final look.
The construction relies on precise joinery techniques to ensure stability. Builders create rabbet cuts—recesses in the side pieces—to inset 1/4-inch plywood. This specific method serves a dual purpose: it secures the back panel and hides the unsightly end grain of the plywood from view. For the top piece, a unique 'stop rabbet' is used, which only runs for a portion of the board to create a distinct architectural transition.
A key detail in this build is the matching of the nosing. To ensure the bookshelf looks cohesive with the original stair treads, the builder hand-planes the edge of the top shelf until it matches the rounded profile of the tread's front edge. This attention to detail, combined with a 1x4 toe kick at the base and pre-drilled holes for 3 1/8-inch trim head screws, elevates the project from a simple DIY task to professional-grade furniture making.
The assembly follows a systematic layout: shelves are spaced exactly 16 inches apart (though this is adjustable based on storage needs). By using specific fasteners like 5d box nails for the back and trim head screws for the frame, the builder ensures that the structural components remain hidden while maintaining maximum strength.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Simple Bookshelf from Stair Treads | Build It | Ask This Old House
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