How to best measure the inside gap of stairs

Question

I’ve purchased sone pre-molded stair caps with integrated flooring to match my basement. They are expensive and i need to ensure I make the right cut. I’ve been struggling to accurately measure this gap. I have thought about getting some cheap plywood and measuring and cutting to create a template and use that to minimize any cutting errors. Looking for ideas to best do this please.

laminate stairs

DMoore · Accepted Answer

I would measure the front and the back of each stair with a tape measure.   If they are the same you are in luck and you don't really need to do much other than make your cut.
If it is the end of summer where you live I would cut these pretty tight.   You should have to knock them into place - not forcefully.   If it is the end of winter however I would leave a 1/8" gap - 1/16" on each side to allow for expansion.
If you stairs are not square I wouldn't rely on a template - I would measure and map out each tread.   In years of doing houses I have ran into this twice out of 100+... and both times I could have told you that there were issue (settling caused stairs to be completely off level on older historic house).

How to best measure the inside gap of stairs

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