How to Install Notched Skirt Boards

Stairs/Handrails Skill Level: Intermediate (Level 2) · Estimated Time: 60-90 Minutes Per Staircase

Introduction #

Installing notched skirt boards is a crucial step in finishing a staircase. This Old House has the general stair vocabulary; this guide is how we scribe and cut the notched skirt. These boards serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, providing a clean, polished look while protecting the wall from scuffs and damage. In new construction or remodels, the installation of notched skirt boards is typically one of the final steps in the stair finishing process, following the installation of treads and risers.

The single most important concept when installing notched skirt boards is precision. Accurate measurements and cuts are essential to ensure a snug fit against the treads and risers. This precision not only enhances the visual appeal but also prevents gaps that can lead to callbacks for adjustments or repairs.

Notched skirt boards are the outside-skirt method: the way we finish the open side of a staircase, where the skirt has to be shaped to wrap the tread and riser profile instead of dropping in straight. The other time you reach for this method is on an inside wall where the stair was framed without the gap a drop-in skirt needs, so the skirt has to be cut over the treads and risers instead of dropping behind them. If your stair does have that gap along the wall, use the drop-in method covered in How to Install Stair Skirt Boards: Drop-In Method instead.

Before You Begin #

Before you install the notched skirt boards, confirm that the following prerequisites are complete.

Prerequisites #

• All treads and risers are installed and securely fastened.
• Drywall and painting are complete to avoid damage during installation.
• Flooring at the top and bottom of the staircase is installed.

What You Need To Know #

When you install notched skirt boards, understanding these core techniques will save you time and prevent callbacks.

• Ensure the skirt board material is acclimated to the environment to prevent warping.
• Use a stair gauge to accurately mark the rise and run for precise notching.
• Always cut the notches slightly smaller and adjust for a tight fit.

Tools #

• Circular Saw - for cutting the skirt board to length.
• Jigsaw - for precise notching around treads and risers.
• Stair Gauge - for accurate measurement of rise and run.
• Level - to ensure the skirt board is installed plumb.
• Finish Nailer - for securing the skirt board to the wall.

Materials #

• Skirt Board - typically 1x12 primed MDF or hardwood, depending on finish requirements.
• Finish Nails - 2-inch for securing the skirt board.

Installation Steps #

Step 1. Measure and Cut the Skirt Board #

Measure the total length of the staircase and cut the skirt board to fit, allowing for any overhang at the top or bottom.

• Use a circular saw for straight cuts.
• Ensure the board is level and plumb.

Step 2. Mark the Notches #

Use a stair gauge to mark the rise and run of each step onto the skirt board.

• Double-check measurements before cutting.

Step 3. Cut the Notches #

Carefully cut the notches using a jigsaw, ensuring each cut is precise and clean.

• Test fit each notch before proceeding to the next.

Step 4. Test Fit the Skirt Board #

Place the skirt board against the staircase to check the fit of the notches.

• Make adjustments as necessary for a snug fit.

Step 5. Secure the Skirt Board #

Once satisfied with the fit, secure the skirt board to the wall using a finish nailer.

• Space nails approximately 16 inches apart along the board.

Pro Tips #

Common Mistakes #

• Mistake: Cutting notches too large. Always cut slightly smaller and adjust for a tight fit to prevent gaps.
• Mistake: Failing to acclimate the skirt board material. This can lead to warping and poor fit over time.

QC / Punch Checklist #

• Verify all notches fit snugly against treads and risers with no visible gaps.
• Ensure the skirt board is level and plumb along its entire length.

Related Guides #

• How to Install Stair Skirt Boards: Drop-In Method
• How to Install a Mitered Stair Riser
• How to Install Baby Shoe at Stair Nosing
• How to Install Wood Nosing
• How to Install a Wood Wall Cap

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Reference Photos #

The following photos show examples of this type of work completed in the field. These serve as visual references for quality standards, proper installation techniques, and finished results.

Showing 8 of 8 photos

Notched skirt board along a curved staircase wall, painted white, with raw wood treads and stained handrail

Built-up wood stair tread block at a stair nose, raw framing stage before trim installation

Wood grain stair treads with painted white risers along a staircase wall

Painted white notched skirt board profile cut to match stair treads, staged in a framed floor opening

Curved staircase with painted white balusters, a wood handrail, and a notched skirt board

Curved staircase with unfinished wood treads in the foreground and finished balusters above

Primed triangular skirt board return at a stair corner, with a tan stain showing through the white primer

Raw wood trim follows a diagonal stair line at the wall base, unfinished, ready for paint.

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