Table of Contents
What can I use for stair treads?
What Wood Is Best for Stair Treads? Oak Stair Treads. Oak is a common type of wood for stair treads. Hickory Stair Treads. Hickory is another common choice for wood stair treads. Maple Stair Treads. Maple’s tan and white hues make it a popular choice for a range of wood products. Poplar Stair Treads. Walnut Stair Treads.
Can I use 2×10 for stair treads?
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 will be supporting.
What is a good thickness for stair treads?
According to general specifications, your stair riser thickness should be no less than ½”. In fact, many professionals recommend risers with a thickness of ¾”. It’s also important to note that if you do build a closed riser staircase, your stair treads will need to have a note as well.
Can you make stair treads out of plywood?
In some cases, boxed-in stairs that are covered with carpet or flooring tile have treads made from plywood instead of hardwood. If you pulled up the carpet or tiles and discovered a tread that’s water-damaged or weak, you can replace it with a new tread that’s cut from a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood.
What’s the best wood to use for stairs?
7 AMAZING SPECIES OF WOOD THAT MAKES EXCELLENT STAIRCASE PROJECTS Red Oak. The most common species for wood stair parts in the U.S. is red oak, due to being plentiful and its forgiving nature. White Oak. Ash. African Mahogany. Cypress. American Cherry. Brazilian Cherry.
Does Pine make a good stair tread?
A softwood, pine is suitable for stair treads in your home. Pine is one of many kinds of wood that is ideal to make up the stair treads in your home. White pine and red pine provide slightly different appearances, but both are readily available at wood stores and share the same benefits.
What is a false tread?
False Tread and Riser Caps are used to give the appearance of Solid Treads with a carpet runner going up the center of the staircase but without the expense. Tread End Caps go on the open side of a stair typically where the balusters will be.
Can I make stringers out of 2×10?
Pressure-treated or cedar 2×10 or 2×12 can be used depending on the depth of the cut-outs you’ll be using. By code you will need a minimum of 3-1/2″ of material left on the stringer after the cut-outs and that area should also be free of large knots which would weaken the stringer.
What size lumber is used for stair stringers?
The stair stringers are essentially the backbone of your staircase. Always use straight, high-quality, pressure-treated 2x12s for stair stringers. If you are planning on resting the stringer on the ground, make sure the wood has .
How deep do stair treads need to be?
A stair tread should be a minimum of 11″ deep for stairs used as a means of egress under the 2018 IBC building code. A stair tread should be a minimum 9.5″ deep for stairs used as equipment access under the OSHA standards for stairways.
What is code for stair width?
International Residential Code (IRC) The IRC stairs code states that, to comply with stairway requirements, the minimum width for residential stairs be no less than 36 inches. The stair riser code is up to 7.75 inches, and can not vary more than 3/8 of an inch.
How thick should Wood be for stairs?
Wood is the most common stair tread and must be at least one-inch thick on stairs supported by risers. Wood must be at least one-and-a-half inches thick when used with open risers. Building code states that stair treads must be thick enough to support a person going up or down the stairs.
How do you make plywood stairs look good?
Paint the surface of the plywood stairs, both the tread and the riser, with a coat of all-in-one paint and primer. Apply paint around the four edges of each tread and riser then paint the center. Brush over the edges a second time to ensure a thick layer of paint is distributed.
What thickness is plywood?
The standard thicknesses for plywood are 1 ¼, 1 1/8, ¾, 5/8, ½, 3/8, ¼, and 1/8 inches. The corresponding actual thicknesses are 1 ¼, 1 1/8, 23/32, 19/32, 15/32, 11/32, 1/4, and ⅛, respectively. This takes into the effect of sanding throughout the process of manufacturing the plywood for each of these sizes.
Do you put risers or treads first?
When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. Start at the bottom of the stairs and work your way up, alternating risers and treads. The back of each tread will sit flush against the riser.
Do you nail or screw stair treads?
Don’t fasten treads and or risers with only nails or staples. The adhesive is much more important than the fasteners. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. Rely on the front edge of the riser for your level surface.
Is Ash good for stair treads?
Economical Wood For Stair Treads Ash Stair Treads: Quite strong, ash is grayish-brown in color and grows all over USA and Canada. Red Oak Stair Treads: Hard, strong, rigid with a pronounced open grain, red oak resists warping. Its reddish color finishes well but is moderately hard to cut.
What type of wood is used for interior stairs?
Hardwoods: Oak, Cherry, and Maple are the most popular types of hardwoods. When stairs are made out of these materials, they are considered “finish grade”.
