Step 1 · Step 1: Get Your Count and Your Kit

Let's start with a quick count of the individual stair treads on your staircase. Here’s a handy tip: you’ll always have one more riser (the vertical part) than you have treads (the flat part you step on). Once you have your count, gather these DIY-friendly tools: a good, rigid tape measure for accuracy, a carpenter's square for checking angles, a level, some masking tape, and a trusty pencil and notepad.