Q&A for How to Build Stairs

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Question

What material can I use under steps to quieten down the noisiness?

Community Answer

Use a panel adhesive under each tread where it lays on top of stringers, before nailing. This is just like when framers (good framers that is) use same adhesive before installing decking to floor joists. This can be bought in caulking tubes at any lumber yard.

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Question

How many steps should I make if they are 108 inches?

Community Answer

Fifteen steps for 7 3/16" rise, or 14 for 7 3/4" rise. Remember that the stringer steps are one less than the actual steps. You could go with the 15, and 4 stringers if you knew a piano was being moved up them. 1/2" with 800+lbs makes a big difference. If the storm room is under the stairway, the extra stringers overhead can't hurt.

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Question

Can a small staircase be supplied in kit form?

Community Answer

Stringers of 3 to 5 steps can be purchased from your local lumber store. You can purchase them and the necessary step boards, cut to length, and assemble.

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Question

How do I cut stringers when the bottom step is on a diagonal?

Community Answer

The bottom run length will be longer on the outside step side. Chances are very good your beam itself will not be wide enough for it, so you will need to glue and brace some lumber on top face to compensate for the run. Rather than waste the money buying two feet longer beams for a run, if you needed 2.75", just build a shelf for first step and mounted stringers to it. This lets you use pressure treated lumber where it mounts to cement floor as well, solving two things with the one solution.

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Question

How do I support whole steps, on an existing open staircase in the basement in a very old home?

Community Answer

As long as the wood is solid you can use Simpson Strongtie wood brackets. They come in many varieties and styles and will very strongly fasten wood boards together.

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Question

How can I make steps that are a little deeper?

Community Answer

Your Increase the width of the stringer and tread. You can integrate the additional stringer by creating a channel on one stringer and a tongue on the other. Use an adhesive such as PL Premium.

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Question

Should use screws for raise and tread, or nails?

Tom Medeiros

Community Answer

It really depends on how you will finish the stairs. Screws and liquid nails create the strongest and quietest stairs. If the treads will be stained, then liquid nails and finishing nails will create the best finished look. If you are carpeting them, screws or nails are fine.

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Question

Can the stairs be made with TREX material?

Community Answer

I wouldn't try to make stringers with it, but treads and risers wouldn't be a problem.

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Question

I am rebuilding my front porch steps. There is about an inch and a half difference between the run on the left and right sides. How do I compensate for that difference and still maintain level steps?

Community Answer

Just as with stairs going to a floor, the bottom step riser will be different (usually the thickness of the stair top material will be shorter), so leave your bottom steps longer and either scratch the ground to make each stringer level, or cut the bottom to fit.

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Question

How do I attach the bottom of the stair (to a balcony) on a floor that is covered in ceramic tile?

Community Answer

Use a diamond bit to drill holes directly through the tile and into the cement. Then use cement screws to attach the Simpson Strong Tie to the cement. You can also add a little cement-all into the holes in the concrete to make the screws really grip. Use nuts with lock washers and bolts to attach the Simpson Strong Tie to the stairs. If the tile is on a raised wood floor, attach it with nuts and bolts to the floor.

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