Table of Contents
How do you attach treads to stringers?
nail treads in place Nail a riser on each upright face of the stringers – all the way down. Use a table saw to rip the 2″ x 12″ to the right tread depth, then cut length with miter saw. Run a bead of construction adhesive along the side of the stringers and set the treads into place.
Should 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.
Where do you nail stair treads?
Drill three pilot holes for nails through the top of the tread at each stringer. Space the innermost and outermost pilot holes 1 1/2-inch from the respective edges of the tread. Drill the center pilot holes midway between the front and back edges of the tread.
Can I just glue stair treads?
Treads should be attached with a combination of adhesive and nails. Nail length being a minimum of twice the thickness of your tread and of 16 gauge or larger. You can just glue the risers but that’s not something I’d personally do either. I’d use adhesive and a few Brad nails ( 18 gauge ) will suffice.
Can I use joist hangers for stair stringers?
This will reinforce the stair stringer to rim joist connection and distribute the stair weight more evenly onto the deck framing. Cut them to fit the space perpendicularly between the rim joist and the next interior joist. Use joist hangers to fasten the blocking.
Can I use 2×12 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.
How far apart do you put stair stringers?
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.
What screws to use on stair treads?
Use screws that are between 2 and 4 inches long. Deck screws are available in this size range, and are used for this purpose on deck stairs. Drilling pilot holes will help prevent splitting the wood of the stringers.
Can you use screws for stair stringers?
The answer to this question is neither nails or screws. You should use nails to attach the deck’s joists and stair stringers to its framing. You should use screws to attach decking and railings to the framing.
Can I use 18 gauge nails for stair treads?
There are so many different types of nails out there, but when installing your treads and risers you will want to go with the Finish Nails. Using a 16 or 18 gauge finish nail will sure get the job done and the nail hole will barely be noticeable!Aug 3, 2012.
Do you install 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.
Can I use Liquid Nails for stair treads?
We no longer recommend using Liquid Nails® brand products. Because Liquid Nails’ products are labeled very similarly and packaging can vary between location and retailer, we strongly discourage the use of any other brand of adhesive, including Liquid Nails, for your stair installation.
Is construction adhesive enough for stair treads?
The construction adhesive should hold the treads nicely. Make sure you allow enough to hold the treads in place. 2500# psi adhesive should be good enough.
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.
Why do stair treads crack?
Wood stairs utilize thick stair treads for stability. These hardwood treads can be between 1 1/2 to 2 inches in thickness. When wood is cut this thick, it can split due to humidity changes. Once a stair tread is split or cracked, you can’t glue it back together.
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 .
Do deck stairs need toe kicks?
The tread (or depth) of your steps should be ten and a half inches. The risers (or toe kick) must be between seven and eight inches high. A handrail is only required if your deck is more than thirty inches off the ground.
How long should my stringer be?
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.
What size deck screws do I need?
Deck screws measuring 2 ½ inches and 3 inches usually work best for fastening railings, deck boards, and joists, while 6-inch deck screws are necessary for 4×4 posts.
How long should deck board screws be?
Most decking screws are 8-gauge and, while 2 1/2 inches is the minimum length needed to hold decking boards to the joists, 3-inch screws are commonly used to provide extra holding power against the upward pressure of shrinking or warping boards. Specialty decking materials have different requirements.
Should a deck be built with nails or screws?
The Consensus: For a deck build it’s best to use a combination of nails and screws. Screws are superior for laying down the decking. They hold things flush better and have a better fastener/tensile strength, which keeps boards from popping up over time.
