What are Stairs

Staircase is a very important part of our homes as this connects the various floors of the home for accessibility to the each part of the home. So to construct them is a very important task and should be dealt seriously. Before you start the whole process measure the height from the floor (starting point of stairs) to the roof (ending point of the stairs). When measuring the height, include everything like second (every floor) floor beam, basement or even the material that exists below floor and measure in inches. Divide this number (i.e. height in inches) by 7 and then round off the figure that will be the number of risers that will be used in the staircase.

How Many Stairs You Will Need

To get the number of steps you will have to calculate the height at which each riser will be cut and that height is measured by dividing the total height (from the floor to roof) by the number of risers. Next is the horizontal steps and there width is normally around 10 inches. Subtract one from the number of risers and you will get the number of steps. To measure the length of staircase, multiply the number of steps by the step width.

Building The Stairs

Now move over to the important part of the staircase i.e. stringer. Stringer is the part of the staircase that provides the support to both risers as well as steps. In a staircase, there would be normally two stringers on both sides of the steps. Normally a good quality stringer would be of the size 2X12 and any kind of knots would be absent. Now lay the stringer on the ground and make a mark from the bottom of the stringer up to the height of the first riser that you measured. Now make a deep cut inside, of the width of the step, and then repeat this procedure at every mark of the height of riser. You will require the help of saw (both skilsaw and the reciprocating one) to make these cuts.

Arrange for more stringers (generally, around three stringers are required) and then follow the above procedure with them. With the help of the saw cut the base of the stringer at an angle and in such a way that it fits with the other stringer so that the whole staircase fits as a one smooth structure. Place some joist hangers for the safety of staircase and then fit in the steps. If you want to go for open staircase then you do not need to put risers otherwise fit in the risers also.