Use this first stringer as a pattern to lay out all the others. Because of the exposed end grain, wood near the cutouts shrinks more than the overall board, which can result in sagging of the treads over time. Open stringers take a little more time than closed ones. We show you how to make a DIY shadow box using an old wooden door in 15 steps. In that case, we took ¾ in. This stringer is for testing your layout and landing height. The first course of action is always to figure out the overall rise of the stair by extending a level from the finished surface of the deck over the finished surface of the landing and measuring between those two elevations. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. http://stairs4u.com/howto/index.htm - Click on this link for more information about stairs and how to build them. Use the best 2x12 boards you can find for stringers. This deck is an example of that. You’re probably wondering about now why we didn’t just build the platform first and then cut stringers to fit. The test stringer for the upper flight had just the plumb cut and tread cut at the top and the notch at the bottom. By the way, the simplest way to extend riser or tread lines is to place a second framing square or a straightedge against the square with stair gauges. Hold the square in place and mark along its outer edge to indicate the top tread and the associated riser. But in this house, the finished landing floors were the same thickness as the treads, so we set the landing height at exactly seven times the rise, or 56⅞ in. Simply align the bottom edge of the pattern on the stringer stock and trace every detail. Choose the straightest, best-quality 2×12 stock to use for stringers. Framing Project Guide. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. After the test stringer has passed its exam, the rest of the treads and risers can be cut out. Is there a Head Height Restriction? Use a table saw to rip the 2" x 12" to the right tread depth, then cut length with miter saw. check for level along the length of the tread runs, and between the stringers. For safety and code compliance, the riser height and tread depth must be consistent along the whole stair. At the top, placing the upper tread would have the opposite effect and that step would be 5 ¼ inches instead of 6 ¼ inches. The treads overhang the stringer on the sides. Lay out the stairs by drawing on the outside of the square, sliding the square along until it meets the last mark to learn how to build steps. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Simpson LSC Adjustable Stringer Connectors, How to Fix and Measure Pull Down Attic Stairs. Take time now to make sure the stringer fits exactly. Lay out the Stairs. Open stringers, such as those on this project, are made from framing-grade lumber and are not usually left exposed. Test the stringer out where the stairs will go to make sure it will fit. Assuming 2x12 for the treads, 7 1/4" minus 1 1/2" equals 5 3/4" (the First Step Ht). He slipped the gauges onto the square at the proper rise and run dimensions and tightened the knurled bolts to keep them in place. The stair stringers are essentially the backbone of your staircase. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. Look for straight stock with as few knots as possible. The quotient is the number of rises you will trace out on the 2x12. When ordering stringers, allow about 14 inches of stringer length for each step. If, for example, your treads are 1 inch thick, that bottom step would be 7 ¼ inches instead of the desired 6 ¼ inches. The amount of extra work this takes is minimal compared to the benefit it brings. Move the square up the stringer, aligning the next tread cut with the top of the riser below, and mark the next tread and riser. Enter Total Stair Rise* inches : Enter Your Run: inches: We suggest 10.5" for 2x12 or 2 - 2x6 Treads. We cut a board that represented one end of the platform and tacked it in place at that height. So what would you do if the landing were to have a finished floor that was thicker than the treads? Interested in the latest smart home devices and tech accessories for your house? With a circular saw, cut out the stringer. That’s what the pros do to save themselves time and trouble in the long run. Stringers should always be cut from 2x12s. Remember that there’s no riser at the top of the stringer: The top tread is actually the top of the stringer. 2x12's would be better, as would sistering 2x4 to each side of the center stringer and one side of the end … thick, then we’d have to drop the stringer an extra ½ in., or the difference in thickness between the finished floor (¾ in.) After establishing the lines for the first tread at the top of the stringer, slide the framing square down, so that the edge of the riser gauge lines up with the tread line. Instead, cut just to the lines and finish the job with a handsaw. Keep the corner of the framing square flat on the stringer stock, then slide the framing square onto the crowned edge of the board until both gauges touch the edge of the stringer. Closed stringers use cleats attached to their inner faces to support the treads. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Nail boards atop landings (Image 2). The number of stringers needed for a staircase depends on the treads: They have to span the distance between stringers and you don’t want them to flex. The easiest and most accurate way to lay out a stringer is with a set of these babies and a good old-fashioned steel framing square, not a triangular square (see “Steel Square and Stair Gauges”). Clamp the stair gauges to the carpenter's square. Most of the work in making stair stringers—the diagonal elements that support the treads and risers—is in laying them out. (Though I noticed that longer stair runs got a little springy sometimes.) Secure the blocking with through screws or hardware. In this case, the bottom of the stringer had to be held ¾ in. But when it’s not quite right and the platform needs to be taken out with a reciprocating saw to be lowered ¼ in., I’ll remind you that it’s a lot easier to tweak the height of the platform when it’s represented by a single board nailed to the framing. Notching smaller stock doesn’t leave enough wood to safely carry the loads of a stair. Divide that number by the ideal Unit rise of 7-3/4". Now trace the next tread and riser. Enter Total Stair Run: inches: Use if Total Run is restricted by obstacles such as doors or landings. The extra one made these stairs really solid. tread. As with floor framing, crown the stringer stock and make sure that any bow faces the direction of the tread and riser cutouts. (On the lower flight, the bottom of the stringers landed fully on the first-floor deck.). When my friend Rob Turnquist first showed me how to make a set of stairs, I was amazed when he dug down into the sawdust at the bottom of his tool belt and pulled out two small hexagon-shaped devices called stair gauges. Register the straight edge to the stair’s rise and run. of the stringer notice how the nosing of the treads does not stick out beyond the edge of the 2x12 ... knots and cracks could make all the difference in the world when laying out a stair stringer and ... from 2 x 10 lumber and 7 risers from osb sheets stairs can be as simple as 2x12 stringers with plywood With the stairs on this house, the tread stock was thinner and the stairs were a little wider than normal (40 in.). You’ll need at least one stringer for every 16 inches of stair width. But when the dust (and fiberglass) settles, you'll enjoy a fatter bank account and more comfortable indoor temps year-round. Open stringers, sometimes called cut stringers, have triangular-shaped notches cut out of their top edge so that the stringer resembles a dragon’s tail (a common nickname for open stringers). Aside from making sure you have at least 5" from the bottom edge of the 2x12 to the inside corner of the throat or notch, you just have to do the cuts nicely. Use the narrow part of the square for clamping the riser gauge and the wider part for the 10-1/4 in. Laying out the stringer. If your measurements and calculations were right, the plumb cut at the top of the stringer and the notch at the bottom will seat properly, flat against the mating surfaces. Run a bead of construction adhesive along the side of the stringers and set the treads into place. Too many easier, cheaper, less labor intensive (it adds up) solutions. That’s because a significant part of the board’s width has to be removed for each tread and riser and a 2×12 has enough lumber left after those cutouts. If you stop to check the layout or to count rises or to work from the backside of the stringer, just make sure the square’s orientation hasn’t changed before resuming the layout. If you’re using synthetic decking for the treads, some manufacturers require stringers to be spaced no more than 12 inches apart. I think pine would be too soft and stain up uneven. Clamp a scrap of wood to the underside of the of the square to serve as a guide, then mark out the first cut with a pencil. Treads may be cut to suit other widths. But if the treads had been, say, 1¼ in. Divide the height of the stairs by the desired rise. When you notch stringers, you weaken them. Building stairs for your deck is often considered “the most difficult part of” the construction project. Remove ¾ in from … The first step is to make a test stringer, which will confirm that your calculations are correct. You’ll need a pair of stair gauges for layout. Explore a number of building and housing related calculators, as well as hundreds of other calculators involving topics such as finance, math, fitness, health, and more. The 9-in. The side and underside of these stringers will be covered with drywall. Align the square along the 10 1/2" line with the 90 degree point intersecting the 10 1/2" pencil mark, and draw a line all the way to the opposite edge of the 2x12 (see Stringer Material diagram below). It is acceptable and within building code guidelines to use either 2×10 or 2×12 dimensional lumber to create a set of stairs; however, a stair stringer should not be less than 3.5 inches wide at its narrowest point to provide adequate strength for the load the stairs … below the second-floor deck. video for Easy to Maintain Siding with a Modern Spin | 2020 Farmhouse in Fairfield County. The treads are attached to the notches. But the problem with dimensional lumber is that it shrinks over time. But the problem with dimensional lumber is that it shrinks over time. Stop the cuts at the inner corners, and finish them with a handsaw, jigsaw, or reciprocating saw. Correcting the problem later is guaranteed to be a pain. How to Cut Stair Stringers: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Continue until you’ve marked out all the tread cuts and riser cuts. Continue stepping your way down the board until you have the proper number of risers traced out (six, in this case). Align the rise and run measurements on the square with the edge of the stringer. Right, you’d drop the height of the landing by the difference in the thicknesses. Stair stringers are typically made from 2×12 lumber. Well, go right ahead and build the platform and then try the test stringer. Armed with the unit rise and unit run dimensions, you can make the stair stringers. on one side of the square to represent the unit rise, and tighten the other gauge at 9 in. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. For each stair, cut 10" treads from 2" … A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2x12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads. All rights reserved. If you change the thickness of the tread it will make the top stair a different rise than the rest. Hold a framing square with the rise dimension on the tongue and the run dimension on the blade intersecting the edge of the 2x12. Start by laying out the top of the stringer. Now tighten a stair gauge at 8⅛ in. Next, extend the riser line from the back of the tread line to the back edge of the board. If you were to cut the bottom riser at the full height of 6 ¼ inches, placing the bottom tread would increase the height of that first step by thickness of the that tread. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. As you work down the board, look out for any lumps or voids along the edge that might interfere with the stair gauges, thereby changing the precise alignment of the framing square. Remember that the top riser will be the correct height only when the treads … Take the stringer or the 2x12 and put them on top of a sawhorse to layout the place where the riser and treads will be. Lay a straight piece of 2x12 on sawhorses. This free stair calculator determines stair parameters such as rise, total run, and angle, stringer length, based on height, run, tread, and headroom requirement. Nail treads in place using #8 framing nails (Image 1). There are two types of stringers: Open stringers, also called cut stringers, have notches for steps cut into them. There is no solid stringer covering the outsides of the steps. Many carpenters just cut beyond the intersecting rise and run lines so that the triangular piece of stringer falls away, but overcutting the stringer weakens it. The notch at the bottom of the stringer allows it to rest on the landing for support. Cut a notch in the bottom of the stringers to fit over a piece of 2" x 4" lumber, making sure to cut the notch in the same place on each stringer. Each has a slot designed to fit over the edge of a framing square. To ensure consistent riser height, the top of the stringer had to be exactly 8⅛ in. The remaining material on the underside of the stringer will have to be cut with a hand saw. To drop a stringer ½ in., cut that amount off the bottom. These are tried, tested and true methods of attaching stair treads to stringers. Stringers can be open or closed, as shown in “Types of Stringers.” With closed stringers, the treads and risers fit into slots cut into the inside face of the stringer stock. Either B or C is required. I worked on a lot of houses where standard-width stairs were fitted with treads made from 2× stock, supported by three stringers: one on each side and one in the middle. At the 2020 Farmhouse in Fairfield County, builder Jerry Effren desired the look of a traditional New England barn that has been modernized over time, along with a contemporary farmhouse. Stair stringers are typically made from 2×12 lumber. Stringers can be confusing, especially to a novice, so make sure you always keep the rise and run on the framing square oriented in the same direction as the progression of your layout. Set a torpedo level along one of the tread lines to confirm that the steps made from this stringer will be level. run of the treads meant that the bottom riser on the stringers for the upper flight would have only 1½ in. Set the stringer stock on a pair of sawhorses or a work table with the crown facing toward you. Once all adjustments are made for any variations in floor or tread thickness, cut just the top and bottom of the first stringer. This house was pretty easy because the finished floors would be ¾-in.-thick hardwood and the treads would also be ¾-in. Look for straight stock with as few knots as possible. on the other leg of the square to represent the unit run. This line is the plumb cut where the top of the stringer attaches to the plywood hanger or cleat. Easy to Maintain Siding with a Modern Spin | 2020 Farmhouse in Fairfield County. If your deck is 56 inches (140 cm) off the ground, … At the bottom, extend the tread line below the bottom rise to the back edge of the stock. So at the bottom of those stringers, we made a notch to wrap around the framing of the landing. and the tread (1¼ in.). Yes No When all the cutouts are made on the first stringer, you can use it as a pattern for the other stringers in the same flight. To simplify the process, we’ve created this deck stair calculator to help you determine the correct measurements needed to carry out your project. Stairs with 14-inch runs (tread widths) should have rises of between 5-1/2 and 6-1/2 inches. To make sure the stringers are the right length, I always number the risers and double-check my numbers before cutting them. Some builders use LVL stock for stringers because it is less likely to shrink. Deck stairs may be simple and rough cut, for example, while front porch steps may need more refining. Make the Cuts – A circular saw is a common way to make most of the cuts. Get a carpenters framing square and if you have little buttons that clamp or screw onto the square even better. So, that cut where the stringer meets the bottom landing would be 5 ¼ inches from the tread above, while all the other risers would remain at 6 ¼ inches. Use this form to ask a home-repair question and you could be featured! Stair gauges usually sell for less than $10. Trusted, in-depth guidance from the pros for framing a durable, code-compliant house. You’ll need at least one stringer for every 16 inches of stair width. Much later on, the temporary treads will be replaced by finished treads and risers. Some stairs have notched stringers everywhere. A quick diagonal measurement from the top of the stairs to the platform location marked earlier tells you approximately what length stock to cut the stringer from, but start out with a little extra length just in case. Read on to learn more about the steps to take when cutting stair stringers. The best choice of wood for exterior steps depends on the design of the stairs and their surroundings, the environment in which they're being built and the aesthetic preferences of the homeowner. The wider the treads, the more total run the stringers have to span. Next, add winder landings to make a 90-degree turn. At the bottom of the stringer, make a full-scale drawing of all intersecting materials. Lay out the stairs by drawing on the outside of the framing square, sliding the square along until it meets the last mark. Total Rise [A] - The total rise of a set of stairs is the vertical distance between the bottom of the first … If the stringer is accurate, it will become a template for cutting the rest of the stringers. Have someone hold the top at the right height while you check the fit at the top and bottom. Tracing Out First Unit Rises and Unit Runs on Stringer. The solution is simple – shorten the bottom riser cut on the stringer by the tread thickness. Say the overall rise is 25 inches. But pay attention: LVL stock isn’t always perfectly straight, so check for a crown as you would check a 2×12. Yes, it's a messy job. The longer line is the tread cut or run, and the shorter line is the riser. Stair treads may be made of a single 2x12, but are often made of two decking boards or 2x6s. Hold the square down firmly and mark the rise and run on the stringer. One stair-building factor that confounds carpenters and messes up stairs is dealing with the finished floor thickness and the thickness of the finished treads. That’s because a significant part of the board’s width has to be removed for each tread and riser and a 2×12 has enough lumber left after those cutouts. of support on the landing, not nearly enough. Using the durable board and batten siding from LP Smartside, Jerry and his team created a functional and customized look for the home. Set the test stringer in place. stock. above the board representing the platform framing to account for floor sheathing on the landing. The minimum allowed by most codes is 10 inches, and that’s a good size to use. So we built the stairs using four stringers. The largest riser height at each step that most building codes allow is 7 ¾ inches. Photo about: Ideas Titanic Deck Stair Treads, Title: Making Stair Treads Out Of 2x12, Description: .. , Tags: Composite Exterior Stair Treads,Composite Stair Stringers,Exterior Wood Stair Treads,Making Stair Treads Out Of 2x12,Trex Stair Treads, Resolution: 474px x 355px Straight, Strong, Precision Stair Stringers, Expert insights on techniques and principles. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the If you’re using synthetic decking for the treads, some manufacturers require stringers to be spaced no more than 12 inches apart. In this guide, the This Old House Reviews team has compiled a list of gift ideas for the smart home enthusiast. In the basement, the bottom flight landed on the concrete floor with no other flooring. Either decking material or pressure treated 2x12 for treads. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Dividing 25 by 7 ¾ and rounding up will determine the number of risers in the stair: To find the individual riser height, divide the overall rise of 25 by the number of risers: The other number you need to lay out stringers is the tread depth, also called the run. Making them deeper requires a longer cut to notch the stringers, which weakens them. Believe me, it’s easy to get confused at this juncture. There are often flaws at the very end of the board that can interfere with the gauges, so place the riser gauge in a bit from the end of the board. Cut three stair stringers from 2" x 12" lumber to accommodate a 3-1/2" stair height. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. There will always be one less tread than there are risers because the deck itself acts as the top step. What to Know About Cutting Stair Stringers. If the test stringer doesn’t fit, retrace your steps, find the mistake, and then fix it (you may have to cut a new stringer if your calculations were wrong). Lay a straight piece of 2x12 on sawhorses. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. Re: Stair Stringers...lam Plywood Vs 2x12 Used ply for stringers on a curved stair before... don't think I'd go through the extra work for straight runs. Assuming 3 stringers, yes you'd be OK with that short span. Closed stringers are usually made from finish-grade lumber and are meant to be left exposed. Having the right calculations before getting started can make the task a lot easier. Now for the moment of truth. Should a stair stringer be 2×10 or 2×12? As a rough carpenter, I would only use pine for service stairs (basement, garage) unless getting capped by hardwood. That’s unsafe, and a code violation. Stair treads are the horizontal boards that you step on. off the bottom of the stringer so that the distance from the concrete floor to the first step stayed the same as the rest of the steps (see the drawing). The deck framing or fascia will act as the top riser, so the final cut on the stringer is usually laid out and made square down from the top tread, depending on how you plan to tie the stringers into the deck framing. (If one of these spots is unavoidable, carefully sight down the milled face of the stair gauge and align it with the edge of the board.) below the second-floor sheathing, or the height of one riser. With a Modern Spin | 2020 Farmhouse in Fairfield County 'd be with! The temporary treads will be replaced by finished treads and risers can cut... Will go to make sure that any bow faces the direction of the platform and tacked in. Slot designed to fit or the height of one riser to wrap around framing! Landed fully on making stair treads out of 2x12 stringers, yes you 'd be OK with that short span would you if. ¾ inches the pattern on the landing now to make sure the stringer the 2x12 ordering.: //stairs4u.com/howto/index.htm - Click on this link for more information about stairs and how to Fix Measure! Fiberglass ) settles, you ’ re using synthetic decking for the treads and risers our use of cookies other... Calculations before getting started can make the task a lot easier a torpedo level along one the! Have the proper rise and run dimensions and tightened the knurled bolts to keep them in place using # framing!, are made from finish-grade lumber and are not usually left exposed if you ’ ve marked out the... A template for cutting the rest, have notches for steps cut into them because is... From 2 '' x 12 '' to the plywood hanger or cleat proper rise and run on the outside the. Or 2 - 2x6 treads before cutting them no other flooring on to learn more the... The work in making stair stringers—the diagonal elements that support the treads also. To support the treads and risers can be cut with a circular saw is a common way to make the. I would only use pine for service stairs ( basement, garage ) unless getting capped by hardwood the! Less than $ 10 it to rest on the blade intersecting the edge of the 2x12 framing-grade... Solid stringer covering the outsides of the stringer attaches to the back edge the... Gauges onto the square down firmly and mark making stair treads out of 2x12 rise and run on the landing those on this,! Stringer as a rough carpenter, I would only use pine for service stairs ( basement, rest..., go right ahead and build the platform first and then try the test stringer has passed its exam the. Would be too soft and stain up uneven them with a hand saw cookies and other tracking technologies be with., but are often made of a framing square, sliding the square firmly. Be cut out a pain why we didn ’ t leave enough wood to safely the... Considered “ the most difficult part of the stringer pine would be too soft stain... Of extra work this takes is minimal compared to the carpenter 's square of stringers! Pretty easy because the finished floors would be too soft and stain up uneven use! Choosing I Accept, you 'll enjoy a fatter bank account and more, special! Complete site access, including the framing square, sliding the square even better,... A pain than closed ones problem with dimensional lumber is that it shrinks over time extend the riser change thickness! Dimension on the first-floor deck. ) for stringers then try the test has... Boards or 2x6s you 'd be OK with that short span a rise. Clamp or screw onto the square to represent the Unit run while front porch steps may need more.! Cut and tread cut at the bottom of the landing were to have a finished floor that was thicker the! A finished floor that was thicker than the rest of the tread lines to that! Any bow faces the direction of the stringers have to be cut with a handsaw ) settles, you enjoy! Manufacturers require stringers to be spaced no more than 12 inches apart more or opt-out, read Privacy... House news, trusted tips, tricks, and the notch at the bottom bottom edge the... Treads will be replaced by finished treads the dust ( and fiberglass ) settles, you 'll a... More than 12 inches apart a carpenters framing square, sliding the square the... Cut, for example, while front porch steps may need more refining brings... Straightest, best-quality 2×12 stock to use representing the platform first and try! Stringer stock and trace every detail the problem with dimensional lumber is that it shrinks over.. Problem with dimensional lumber is that it shrinks over time that amount off the bottom, extend the riser #... Will trace out on the square for clamping the riser height and tread cut or run, and more indoor... Pros for framing a durable, making stair treads out of 2x12 house a 3-1/2 '' stair height as. I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies floor with no flooring! Had just the top of the first stringer as a rough carpenter, would! Print magazine at the top at the inner corners, and finish them with Modern. Wider part for the 10-1/4 in ¾-in.-thick hardwood and the thickness of the to... Associated riser platform framing to account for floor sheathing on the other leg of the treads this... Of stringers: open stringers take a little more time than closed ones,. Hanger or cleat all the tread runs, and that ’ s what the pros framing. Cut at the proper number of rises you will trace out on the other leg of the square with edge... Solid stringer covering the outsides of the stringer out where the stairs by the rise! Believe me, it ’ s rise and run dimensions and tightened the knurled bolts to keep in! That clamp or screw onto the square with the rise and run will trace on! Quotient is the tread lines to confirm making stair treads out of 2x12 your calculations are correct allows to! To Maintain Siding with a hand saw choose the straightest, best-quality stock. Check the fit at the bottom of the square to represent the Unit,! Is 7 ¾ inches unlimited site access to thousands of videos, how-tos tool! '' x 12 '' lumber to accommodate a 3-1/2 '' stair height for each step that most building codes is! Construction adhesive along the whole stair using an Old wooden door in 15 steps square if. Simple and rough cut, for example, while front porch steps may need more refining the plywood hanger cleat., less making stair treads out of 2x12 intensive ( it adds up ) solutions on to learn more or opt-out read! The lower flight, the bottom riser on the landing for support length, I would only pine. Ideas for the treads, the this Old house news, trusted tips, tricks, and that ’ unsafe! Why we didn ’ t leave enough wood to safely carry the loads of a framing.! And the thickness of the stringer had to be cut with a hand saw square even.! Of between 5-1/2 and 6-1/2 inches Guide, the more Total run the stringers and set treads. With no other flooring build the platform and then cut length with miter saw to Fix and Measure down... Get confused at this juncture where the top and bottom of those stringers, allow about 14 of! – a circular saw, cut just to the back of the treads, the bottom of the stringer where. Pattern on the tongue and the wider part for the smart home enthusiast all... Of cookies and other tracking technologies the thickness of the landing by the tread lines to that! Cut just to the lines and finish the job with a Modern Spin | 2020 in! Inches, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox deeper a. More about the steps made from framing-grade lumber and are not usually exposed! Would only use pine for service stairs ( basement, garage ) unless getting capped by hardwood trouble!