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How far apart do you put stringers for stairs?
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.
What is the formula for stair stringers?
There are several formulas for calculating the ratio between rise and run; the simplest is Rise + Run = 17 to 18 inches. Using a target run of 10 inches, the rise/run ratio is well within the “safe and comfortable” formula for this stair: 7 5/8 + 10 = 17 5/8 (Step 6).
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.
What size board do I need for stair stringer?
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 .
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.
How many stringers do I need for a 36 inch wide staircase?
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.
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 many stairs stringers do I need for 6 foot wide?
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.
How long of stringers do I need?
A general rule of thumb is that stairs should have a height of about 7 to 7-1/2 inches. Building taller steps can make them difficult to climb, while a shorter rise height can feel awkward and lead to stumbles. 3) Divide the total height of the staircase by the height or “rise” you want for each step.
What is the standard step height for stairs?
Riser Heights In the United States, the step height standard should be between 7 or 7 ¾ inches at the most, and no less than 4 inches. You should follow other measurements if given by local building codes. In Canada, the maximum step riser height is 8 ¼ inches.
What is the standard rise and run of stairs?
The OSHA standard for rise and run of stairs is maximum 9.5″ rise and minimum 9.5″ run (tread depth). The IBC maximum rise of a single stair flight is 12.
Can you make a stringer 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.
Can I use 2×12 for stair stringers?
I use 2×12 if there is not an issue with head room below the stairs. Makes a strong set of stairs but it seems the majority of framers around here use 2×10. Allot of times I’m not in the norm. I always build 16 oc as well.
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 long should a 2×12 stringer be?
cut stringers. The two most common cut-stringer defects that I see are overspanning and overcutting. The minimum recommended size for a deck stair stringer is 2×12, which has a maximum recommended unsupported span of 6 feet.
How do I fasten deck stringers?
Attach the stringers to the deck using angle brackets and 3” galvanized deck screws. Cut a 2×6 board to fit snugly between the two stringers at their base. This will be used to fasten the stairs to the concrete pad. Place the board between the stringers and attach to stringers with 3” galvanized deck screws.
Should I use nails or screws for stairs?
The answer is both. 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.
How do you reinforce stair stringers?
One of the easiest methods of reinforcing your wood stair stringers is using 2×12 skirt boards along the outsides of your stairs. A skirt board is pretty much what it sounds like; triangular shaped wood that goes along the sides of your stair and hides all of the unsightly notched stringers and hardware.
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.
Do you need to anchor deck stairs to ground?
Typically, most North American building codes require all deck steps to terminate on a minimum 3×3 foot landing pad. If your backyard is extremely flat, the code will allow you to forgo a landing pad. Footings go beneath the landing pad. Just as decks are susceptible to frost heave, so are stairs.
Can deck stairs land on grass?
Yes, it is a good idea to have a landing at the bottom of steps.
