Step 1 · Step 1: Count Your Stairs & Gather Your Gear

Let's start by counting the number of horizontal surfaces you step on—these are your 'treads'. A fun fact for your project: you'll always have one more vertical 'riser' than you have treads. Once you have your count, grab your tools for the job: a good, rigid tape measure, a carpenter's square, a level, some masking tape for labeling, and a trusty pencil. Having the right tools on hand makes any DIY project go more smoothly and helps guarantee a perfect result.