How To Make Copper Stair Risers (DIY Stair Makeover)

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This Project was Featured in Farmhouse Style Magazine!

Farmhouse-Style-Magazine-with-our-Copper-Stair-Riser-featured

Intro by Robin – Steps by Ed

The latest room we’re working on in our basement makeover is what we’re calling our “Cozy, Industrial Underground Basement Pub & Hobby Room” (You can read about all the design inspiration here.)

This DIY Copper Stair Risers project is a key element. They balance modern and classic styling and they’re so fascinating to look at. Would you believe it isn’t that difficult to add copper to stairs?

We’ve continued with replacing the two-decade-old vinyl that covered these stairs to wood treads, just like in the top section of these stairs. (We show you how to install wood treads here.)

But, If you already have stair treads you love, you can totally skip those steps and then this project is very easy! The only tool you’ll need then is a pair of scissors.

I had this project envisioned for years but wasn’t sure how to execute it. At a metal fabricator shop, I learned about a copper spray that’s actually copper – you know, the element, not just the colour of copper. I thought this was going to be the way – until I thought more about safety. Aerosol microscopic metal in breathable droplets…hmmm…there must be a safer and less toxic way!

And there is! This copper material fit the bill perfectly. And the price isn’t that unreasonable – given the artistic interest it gives the room. I think of this project as a 3′ X 8′ piece of art.

I ordered one sheet and cut pieces from it to experiment with how to turn copper green. I came up with three copper patina recipes and ended up choosing the simplest one. I’m so happy I did – I think it turned out beautifully.

But, if you’d like even more drama – all three methods could be done. That could be really cool.

The path for this project was paved and here’s how you too can create copper stair risers…

DIY Copper Stair Risers Materials List:

copper metal sheets 0.1x200x1000mm – like these (These are the exact ones we used.)
double-sided carpet/vinyl tape (We used this one.)
Patina solution – salt and vinegar
Container long enough to soak riser pieces without folding (We used an under-bed storage container like this one.)
spray clear coat in satin
scissors or tin snips
new stair treads- cut to size, finished and sealed
- You can find our full tutorials here: Staining Stair Treads and Installing/DIY Stair Treads

How To Make Patina Copper Stair Risers – and Install Them

Step 1: Cut Copper to Size

Cutting metal for copper stair risers — The copper sheets we sourced came on a roll that was exactly the height we needed for our stair risers. Win!

We just needed to cut it to length – which we did by carefully measuring and marking, then cutting with scissors. Yes – the copper we used was thin enough that scissors could cut it.

If you use thicker material, you may need to use tin snips.

Step 2: Prepare Copper Patina Solution

how to make patina solution for copper stair risers — We weighed the merits of each type of patina recipe and opted for the subtle one.

You’ll see that it still produces a pretty obvious aged-copper look when it is all said and done.

Because we needed to cover a large amount of copper – we ended up using a gallon of vinegar (4L) with two cups (500mL) of salt.

Step 3: Soak Copper in Patina Solution

Copper Stair Risers treating copper for green patina — To get coverage over the whole sheet, we used a plastic under bed storage bin and filled it with enough solution that it would cover the sheets.

We let them soak for an hour, gently moving them around to ensure complete exposure to the salt and vinegar.

We did this in pairs so the maximum surface area was exposed.

We let them soak for one hour.

Step 4: Let Copper Stair Risers Pieces Dry

DIY copper patina on copper stair risers — Then we laid out the copper on a table to dry. We covered the table in rolls of paper towel.

IMPORTANT NOTE: our paper towel had a circle pattern with dots embossed on it. This pattern transferred to the copper as it changed colour. Robin ended up loving it! But if you don’t want any patterns like that – choose a completely smooth surface for drying.

The patina comes from the interaction between the metal, the solution and air, so you will notice the colours develop and deepen as time passes.

Copper Stair Risers let copper dry after treatment — As the copper dried we flipped them over and moved the puddling solution around. It will get more green where there are puddles.

You can be strategic about that if you want bolder green areas.

Copper Stair Risers let dry on paper towel unexpected pattern — See the tiny dots? That is from the pattern on the paper towels.

You can see the original paper towel pattern in the bottom of the photo. Consider yourself warned! 🙂

Step 5: Clear Coat to Protect Copper Stair Risers’ Finish

Copper Stair Risers DIY Choose the layout — We used a can of spray clear coat in satin to seal and protect the copper patina.

You’ll want to pick your favourite sides and lay the panels out as flat as possible when applying the clear coat.

Follow the application instructions on the can with respect to temperature and ventilation.

The next thing you’ll want to do is choose the placement of your copper on the stair risers. Robin was VERY particular about this and took her ~~sweet~~ time moving the order of the pieces to be just right. We thought about putting our favourite pieces at eye level when you walk up the stairs and then made the others work with them.

Step 6: Prepare Stairs

Preparing stairs for new wood treads and copper stair risers — If you already have great stair treads you can happily skip this step step!

Our stairs needed the old vinyl floor and rubber nosing removed (that awesome beige-brown colour is remaining contact cement). I also cut off the front end of the treads, as this needs to be gone for the oak tread application.

Do all your prep now, because you won’t be able to mess with anything later without potentially damaging the copper risers or their patina finish.

Step 7: Install Copper Stair Risers

attaching the copper stair risers tape — Here is the double-sided vinyl tape we used.

I think it is designed for sticking military-grade carpet to battleship floors or something. It is VERY sticky.

Any scissors you use to cut it will get very gummed up.

how to attach copper stair risers — Cover the riser in strips of the tape. This is going to hold the copper on forever, so don’t be shy.

Stick one side to the riser, but don’t peel off the cover on the second side (yet).

attaching copper stair risers — Now, remove the double-sided tape cover on all the strips, carefully line up the piece of copper (remember, this is forever-grade battleship tape; be sure the good side is facing out and that everything is square and level).

Press the copper into place. We found that starting at one side and rolling it across worked best – press evenly as you go.

Step 8: Install Wood Treads

Copper Stair Risers Attaching new tread and copper — I’m scrimping on steps and photos here, but we’ve got a whole other post on this.

Basically cut your new, stained, finished oak tread to size, put some construction adhesive on the old tread, fit the new piece over it and screw to secure from underneath.

Stand back and admire your new copper stair risers!

copper stair risers diy project with patina

DIY copper stair risers with patina — I think they’re just so INTERESTING to look at. And unexpected – which adds to the fun of this whole basement renovation.

So here again is our inspiration photo. Our intention was never to copy it exactly – the inspiration stair risers are brass – and we’ve made verdigris COPPER stair risers – but the feel of them is what we were aiming for.

Our inspiration.

source: unknown!
(I can only find a pin for this gorgeous staircase. If you know the original source – please let me know so I can credit their amazing work properly.)

how to make copper stair risers with patina — Because our basement is dark – I needed to pull out extra photography lights to get these shots.

In-person, with normal lighting, they look a bit more subtle.

how to make copper stair risers — We’re thrilled with how they turned out. When guests leave the basement they’re always blown away with how cool they look. We still are too!

See how the very bottom step doesn’t have a riser? Curious why we’d do something so weird? It’s actually how our cat gets into the storage room next door to access her kitty litter – and there’s also our new hidden storage under the stairs there too!

We’ve got more DIY projects from our Stair Makeover, check them out here…

Our Magazine Worthy DIY Basement Stairs Makeover ~ Beautiful on a Budget

DIY Built in Cabinet – Max Out Basement Storage in a Beautiful Custom Way

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DIY Basement Ceiling Ideas – 6+ Best, Beautiful & Budget Options!

Our Painted Basement Ceiling: WITHOUT a Sprayer and the Perfect Black Paint

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DIY Buffet with Sink: How We Made Our DIY Wet Bar from a Repurposed Antique

How to make DIY Floating Shelves Solid Wood. No expensive brackets required! (Antlers not included…)

Realistic DIY Faux Brick Wall with Plaster Treatment (Distressed Exposed Brick Walls on a Budget!)

Darcee Robertson

Wednesday 17th of May 2023

I was so excited to use your “subtle” process to age my copper pieces for a project. I have a problem getting the salt to dissolve in the vinegar. It will NOT dissolve. I have tried stirring, whisking, boiling, letting it sit overnight…you name it. How did you get yours to dissolve? I would very much appreciate any advice you have. Thank you so much.

Robin & Ed Hicken

Thursday 18th of May 2023

Hi Darcee! I have no idea what's happening to you! We had no trouble with dissolving. So strange! And you're using regular vinegar and table salt? Could it be coarse salt you're using? Have you tried a small sample of copper in the mixture you're getting - maybe it will still be effective despite the salt grains remaining?

Stef

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

Very creative with the copper stairs and thanks for the recipes!

frugalfamilytimes

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

You're so welcome, Stef! :)

Shauna Schramke

Sunday 4th of December 2022

Great job! I came across your inspiration stairs, also, and fell in love. They were by Rupert Bevan Ltd. (UK)

Catherine Stanley

Sunday 23rd of October 2022

This is incredible! Thank you for sharing. I’m adding a patina to a copper table. I just stripped the lacquer… so I was looking for the next step to add some blue to it. I can’t wait to try miracle gro and red wine!

Monday 24th of October 2022

Awesome, Catherine! Let me know how it goes!

Deidre Harris

Monday 26th of September 2022

What a fantastic idea, I'm very scared to try and do this sort of thing myself but I'm gonna try something. My stairs have carpet and it's Guk! You can certainly tell it's 25 years ago since they carpeted my stairs. I'm not going to pay some heaps of $$$ when I'm sure I could do something myself. Checking out ideas yours has been the best so far I love it! The thought of what is under my carpeted stairs sends shivers up and down my spine. I hope I can remember how to get back to your ideas, I'm pretty hopeless with the knowing how to get back to the technology side of things. Again thanks for sharing this amazing idea!! My head is spinning out of control with ideas now lol🤔

Kind Regards DR Harris

Friday 30th of September 2022

Thanks for your charming comment, Deidre! Happy we've inspired you. :)