Need to build a step...... your advice?

[Klingon Bastard]

In our new house, the kitchen is open to the family room, but raised about 18". I need to build a step between the two. I know how to build a simple box step, but want to do something a little nicer than what I would throw together for the deck or garage.

My thought was to use 3/4" ply for the box sides and top, with the laminate wood floor we just put down as the tread. Finishing the edge with molding and a stair nose, and finally sanding and painting white.

I want to miter the corners, and read a tip on doing a miter combined with a dado for added strength. The problem is, I dont have a dado set for the table saw, (and at $100+ I dont see one in the near future.)

I do however have a plunge router...... but, I've never used a router before.

how would you build the step?

[Trann]

The 18" height is almost perfect for a standard riser size so a single step should work well.

This is very visible finish work. If you're up to the challenge, it will look great. There's lots of info about using laminate for flooring.

You could also use a stair recovering product. It was one of the things we looked at with finishing our basement stairs before ultimately going with a heavy-duty enamel paint.

Either way, for some solid info, there's this company: Lacasse Fine Wood Products, Sudbury Ontario (http://lacassefinewoodproducts.com/).
Note all the optional caps and styles to each tread. Lots of great info. Even if you're doing laminate, I think you'll find the install and finishing instructions useful.
Ref. Custom Hardwood Stairs:Sized & Shaped and in the Wood You Need! (http://lacassefinewoodproducts.com/hardwood-steps-main.htm)

For you, I'm thinking a quarter-round (matched to the upper room?) would work and look the best.

http://lacassefinewoodproducts.com/Images/steps/QuarterRoundBirchTread.jpg

[Scuba_Dave]

Technically to meet code a step can only be a Max of 7 3/4" tall
Local codes can vary, some want 6" steps, some allow up to 8 1/4"
And each step must be the same
So ideally you would have (2) 6" steps
Is there already a step there that you are replacing ?

http://www.arcways.com/pdfs/IRC2006.pdf

[390kid]

a 6" riser pretty standard and is a comfortable step. is your floor wood or concrete? either way i would rough frame the steps and wrap with hardwood

[Quads]

a 6" riser pretty standard and is a comfortable step. is your floor wood or concrete? either way i would rough frame the steps and wrap with hardwood

Bingo