Stairs 9: Frequently Asked Questions on Stairs
Here's a list of Dave's answers about building stairs you might find of help. Click on a title to see its answer.
I used 2x12 non-pressure treated boards for the treads. A couple of carpenters told me the treads should be ripped into two 5 3/4" treads to avoid splitting and cupping of the stairs in a couple of years. Any advice on this?
The level of the concrete in my basement floor is off about an inch between where the ends of the stair stringers will be. This means the stringer height will be different. How should I fit and trim these two stringers?
If I cut 16 runs at 7 1/2", wouldn't my very first step be 9"?
How do we get the correct angles to cut the stringers and handrail posts?
How should new hardwood be attached to an existing stair case?
What is the best way to attach the stringers to the floor joist?
I am installing a handrail on my landing and down the stairs. Your instructions given on how to do this includes everything I need except how to attach the handrail to the newel posts. Could you explain how to do that?
With an open riser stair, how do you connect the treads to the stringer?
The bottoms of my stringers are resting directly on concrete. How can I maintain some sort of dry spacing so they don't rot out like the old ones did?
I've got a nice stair case but it needs support stringers. How do I cut the stringers?
How do I cut the bottom of the stringers so the steps of the deck stairs stay level to make up for the unevenness of the ground?
I have a 21 inch plumb from my deck to the concrete below. My problem is that the concrete is not even, it slopes away from the house. I'd like to use two stringers (2x10) and then bracket two steps between them. How do I measure the dist
What is the recommended distance between newels for a balcony?
Some stairs are made by cutting a groove in the stringers for the threads to fit into. Is this done with a router? If so, what kind of jig does it require?
What would be the best railing-baluster combination for a glass pane?
One stair in my basement stairs is shorter than the rest by about 1/4". I'm thinking of two solutions, but wanted to see what you say first.
I just built a new deck, which turned out rather well. I am however having difficulty making up steps. My total rise from the ground to the top of the deck board is 20.5".
I have straight-run, open-riser stairs up two stories. Each flight has about 17 risers. I was planning on using 2x12s for the stringers, but once they were installed and the treads were put on, they were still very "bouncy".
What size nails or screws would you suggest using for nailing/screwing the risers if I'm using 1/2" plywood for the risers?
Why does your Stair Case Calculator always give one less run than the number of risers?
Is pine okay for stair treads or is it too soft a wood?
The inspector said I have to protect my outside stair stringers from the concrete on the outside landing. What does he mean?
I want to replace the skirt boards with oak to match the stairs. Treads and risers were cut and installed to match the old fir skirt boards, and oak is thicker dimension. Where do I start?
I took the old cement landing out from under the front steps because it was not level. How would you go about replacing it with a new one?
I want to replace my existing painted wood risers with slate or some durable tile. Is this possible and if so, how do I remove them to replace them or should I tile right over the existing riser?
When installing stair treads and risers some people are telling us the riser goes on top of the tread. We prefer the look of it behind the tread and thats what it looks like on your page. We just want to know the correct way of installin
How do I secure the bottom of the stringer to the paving slab?
How do I determine an equal size to cut each spacing block when figuring a maximum 4" between spindles?
I need to make Stringers for a 10' rise. This will work out to the stringer being 18 to 20 feet long. I can only find 16' 2 X 12's. Is it okay to splice them to make them long enough? if so HOW?
How do you build winder stairs to save space?
What are the measurements of one story or the totalrise of a one story staircase?
Dave what's the standard size board for a stringer?
I'm pretty good with tools, but I'm concerned with getting straight cuts on the step stringers with my circular saw. Are there any tricks or helpful hints on making straight cuts?
Does the thickness of the tread change the total rise?
I'm going to be installing yellow pine over the stairs inside my house. They are between two walls and I would like to put trim boards along the walls on both sides, down the stairs. How is this typically done?
I want to build some stairs and I want the total rise to be 2 1/2 feet high, the rise 6 inches and the run 12 inches. Can you give a diagram of what it will look like?
I need to put new treads and risers on my indoor entry stairs. How do I remove the existing skirt boards? Or do I just veneer the old ones?
Should I add a landing in the middle of a 10' rise or use stronger wood for the stringer?
What width should indoor stairs be? They will be going to a master bedroom upstairs. I was thinking about 42". They will be a straight run.
