Hi,
I will begin remodeling our basement in the spring. Right now the stairs are pretty much utility stairs and we’d like nicer stairs. Laying out new stairs seems pretty complicated (l-shape with three stairs on the top portion and I’m sure with time and patince I can do it, but I was wondering if anyone has used any pre-fab stair systems. A Web search yielded EZ-Stairs and Stairframe (www.ez-stairs.com and www.stairframe.com) The Stairframe systems looks like just what I need. Has anyone used or heard f these products. Stairframe is made by a Canadian company and I’m not sure if they in business or if the product is sold in the U.S.
If you know of a good source for a beginner like me to learn about building stairs, let me know. If you think it’s worth contracting out this work, let me know.
Thanks.
Replies
you have a platform stair .. L-shaped with the platform in the middle
the hardest thing is making sure you have the required headroom as you pass under the first floor frame
the "stairframe " looks ok..
i didn't go to the other site...
of course, there may not be anything wrong with your existing stairs.. except the are rough cut and rough lumber... but, other than that ... is there anything wrong with them ?
i like a 3-stringer stair... "stairframe" was selling a two stringer..
if you are reasonably motivated, you could frame and finish your own stairs..
almost every company has at least one guy who is qualified to build stairs.. at least one would hope...almost every "rough framing " text will have a section on building stairs
here's one i have on my bookshelf.. " Rough Framing Carpentry" by Mark Currie
(Craftsman Books)..... i'm sure Taunton has a bunch also..
should you hire it built ?.... sure...
should you do it yourself... why not ?
Sal,
I don't know where you are so this might not help at all. SImple Box Stairs from a shop can be pretty inexpensive. In My area places like builders first source or durawood can crank out a nice box stair for less then the material would cost you. Seeing stairs like that made makes you realize you could never make a living just knocking out simple boxes. All machines.
It might be worth talking to the local lumer yard ( No, Home Depot and Lowes are not Lumebr Yards).
Let us know where you are and I might be able to hook you up with someone.
Sal , A modular built stair would be the most practical and efficient for me , an experienced stairbuilder . Working on framing is not an option , unless you're building a deck . The tricky part is building it between walls if you can't get behind it . I would still spend the extra time to carefully build box units than stick build on framing . Unless , of coarse , it's a stair that doesn't need to be finished nice .
Modular Stair System
Hello ,
I realize this thread is very old. I would just like to add that we offer a modular stair system designed for apt D-I-Yers and carpenters. please visit us at http://www.casemodular.com
Best Regards,
Patrick Turner