How to Build Stairs
Contents
Observations from Seed Eco-Home 1
- Stringer stairs are notoriously noisy. Stringers bend under weight, and must be supported if they are 16' long. If there are 3 stringers - these must be cut perfectly - otherwise the treads won't even sit flat, and possible motion means sqeaky stairs. Further - it's not only one tread that sqeaks - it is treads/stringers upstream that can squeak.
- Squeak is solved by stringerless stairs:
Google It
- JLC - [1]
- Instead of notching stringers - here is how to use flat stringers, and add the steps as additional pieces. [2]. Expensive for their system, cheap for 3D printed equivalent.
- If you have a point of attachment for risers, these can be built into a wall
- This means that you can avoid stringers in a stairwell, if you fatten up the treads!
- Stringer spacing depends on thickness of treads - 40" stair can use 2 stringers if you use a 4x12 tread [3]
Cutting Stringers
- How long does it take to mark and cut? The difficulty is accuracy and all measurement - both lengthwise
- Stair gauge-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SauPzmtvJ4g
Requirements
- Railing is required: See section R311.7.8.1 of IRC
4x12 Stairs
Procedure for building stairs, using a template:
