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Deck Stair Basics Deck stairs are typically made from 2 x 12 stringers spaced about 12 to 16 inches apart. They rest on a solid foundation and are attached to the deck with hangers. They have risers (also called toe kicks), treads and railings. The stairs should be at least 36 inches wide.
How many deck stair stringers do I need?
If cut stringers are used in the stair construction, then at least three stringers are required. Cut stringers should be spaced no more than 18 inches on center. For example, a 36-inch-wide stairway should have three stringers. If the stairway is wider than 36 inches, four stringers should be installed.
How many stringers do I need for 36 deck stairs?
This means you will need to install a minimum of four stringers on any stairway wider than 36”. Always check the maximum span for your decking material as it applies to stair treads. Some composite materials and lower-grade 5/4 wood decking may require you to reduce the stringer spacing to 10” on center.
How many stringers do I need for 40 inch stairs?
A 3-foot wide staircase and a set of slightly wider stairs need three and four stringers, respectively. The maximum 18 inch spacing presumes the treads of 5/4-inch wood deck or 2-by stock.
How many stringers do stairs have?
Most staircases will have 4 or 5 stair stringers, though this depends on the width of your stairs and the material you’re using for your stair treads. Most composite deck boards need a stringer every 8 to 12 inches on stairs.
Can I use 2×12 for stair treads?
Stair treads may be made of a single 2×12, but are often made of two decking boards or 2x6s. A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2×12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads. The stair treads should be at least 36 inches wide.
Are stair stringers 2×10 or 2×12?
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.
How far apart can stringers be?
Cut stringers can be spaced no more than 18 inches on center, so a 3-foot-wide staircase needs three stringers, and a set of slightly wider stairs (say 3 feet 6 inches) needs four stringers. The maximum 18-inch spacing presumes treads of 5/4-inch wood decking or 2-by stock.
How do I calculate how many steps I need for stairs?
Determining the Rise You divide the height by 7 inches; if, say, the floor-to-floor distance is 8 feet, 10 inches (or 106 inches), then you’ll need 15 treads (106 divided by 7 equals 15.14). Next, you divide the height by the number of treads (15 into 106), producing the exact tread height (7.06 inches).
Do deck stairs need risers?
Most high-end deck projects use closed risers to finish the stairs. They also are often in violation of IRC code for decks over 30″, which maintains that they meet the same requirements as guardrail infill. Stair risers may not have openings present that would allow a 4” diameter sphere to pass through.
How far apart should risers be?
Stringers should be spaced no more than 36 inches apart from each other for maximum stair support, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
What size lumber do you need for stair stringers?
Stringers should always be cut from 2x12s. Notching smaller stock doesn’t leave enough wood to safely carry the loads of a stair. When ordering stringers, allow about 14 inches of stringer length for each step. Look for straight stock with as few knots as possible.
How far apart are stringers on a deck?
Deck stairs are typically made from 2 x 12 stringers spaced about 12 to 16 inches apart. They rest on a solid foundation and are attached to the deck with hangers. They have risers (also called toe kicks), treads and railings. The stairs should be at least 36 inches wide.
Do stair stringers need support?
Yes, the stringers need to be supported along their length, but they can span a few feet too, depending on 1) the width of the stairs, 2) the number of stringers, and 3) size of riser board. 1) The wider the stair the more load will be transferred to the stringers.
How far should stair tread overhang riser?
Stairs must have an overhang between 3/4″ to 1-1/4” to increase the depth of the step, making it better for descent while maintaining a clear 10-inch going for the ascent. Treads that are 11-inches deep or greater do not require an overhang.
What is the best wood for stair stringers?
LP SolidStart Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) and LP SolidStart Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) are ideal for Stair Stringers because they surpass traditional lumber products in length, strength and consistency.
How tall is a 5 step stringer?
Stair Stringer-5 step Redwood (Common: 60 in. x 11 in.; Actual: 1.5 in. x 11 in. x 60 in.).
How far can a 2×12 stair stringer span?
A 2×12 stringer has a maximum unsupported span of 6 feet. These stairs (7) are likely to deflect and cause the stringers to either pull loose from the framing or shear along the grain.
How long of a 2×12 do I need for stairs?
We suggest 10.5″ for 2×12 or 2 – 2×6 Treads. Treads may be cut to suit other widths. Either B or C is required.
How far apart should stringers be for Trex decking?
Composite deck stairs are typically made from 2 x 12 pressure-treated stringers spaced about 8 to 16 inches apart.
How many steps are in a 4 foot deck?
A four-foot high deck can have a range between 6 and 8 steps. Twelve-foot wide stairs using Deckorators composite.
