Jargon and Preparation

• If you are placing hardwood oak onto pre-exisiting stairs, you may need to remove the nosing from the original stair. Nosing is the part of the step that overlaps the step beneath it; nosings are a bit longer on steps designed to have carpeting. They need to be trimmed down before a new step can be applied, so the steps can be even. This can be done with a power saw.
  
  Any existing carpeting or padding needs to be torn up and removed before any further work can be completed. The tread is the part of the stair that is stepped on, and the riser is the material between steps. The risers are sometimes missing to give the staircase an open-air effect. However, whether you use risers or not, the tread needs to be applied tightly against the supports. This is called skirting and is frequently not done correctly in amateur jobs. You'll probably want to cover the side portion of the step, known as the stringer, with a decorative plywood that matches the color of the oak on the steps. You can cut out the proper size piece in cardboard and then use that to properly shape and cut your stringer covers so they are uniform. Do the same for the risers if needed. Finally, measure each step and cut out each oak tread that you need. Write a number on the back of each one in pencil so you know which tread fits where.
  
  

Adhesives

• Construction caulking is a very effective adhesive for hardwood, but it comes in a caulking tube and can be messy if used improperly. It comes out of the tube very thickly, and you don't want to use too much in application.
  
  Wood glue is probably better for the riser and stringer portions, since the wood covering those is generally thinner and the caulk is more likely to leave globs.
  
  

Finishing and Installation

• Apply a finisher such as polyurethane to your steps prior to installing them. It can take up to 48 hours for the finisher to fully harden and dry, so give yourself at least two days between finishing the steps and installing them on the staircase.
  
  Install the stringer coverings prior to installing the treads. Once you start on the treads, begin at the top of the stairs and work your way down. Lay the tread down and then secure the riser covering under it before laying the next tread. Use finishing screws as needed to hold the tread in place while the glue dries.