I recently read an install guide to stairs and it suggested NOT attaching the stair stringer to the wall in a closed stair install. It claimed you get creaking if you do.
Seems like that would not be an issue if you screwed or nailed at each stud, then again a string should be strong enough for the stair load as one can always build stairs open on all sides and unsupported below with out problems.
What is best practice?
Listeners write in about ventilation and radon control and ask questions about tightening basement garages, ventilation solutions, and safer paint stripper.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
wall side stringer
Are you talking about notched stringers?
I space that stringer away from the wall with a 2x4 held flush to the bottom plane of the stringer (nothing special, I think it's a common practice). But I nail that 2x4 with 2 nails to every stud, then nail the stringer to the 2x4. Makes a big stiffness difference which I like. The middle stringers get 2x4s nailed to both sides, and the socks get nailed completely off.
Housed stringers I've never used inside.
Thanks Jim
No, not notched.
I was planing to do as you suggest, 2x4 nailed and then nail the 2x12 stringer to it. I read on install guide to not nail the stringer to the wall, implying that nailing would cause it to creak. I would thinking gluing and nailing teh stringer as you suggest wiht two nails per stud would ahve that sucker dead solid with nothing creak.
What teh heck is a sock?
A sock?
You know, like when the young helper asks "how many nails we need in that?" We might say, "nail the socks off of it".
Kind of like nailing the begeebers out of something. A buddy of mine, I'd ask him "hey, did you nail that sheathing off?" and he'd say "Yup. Not one single begeeber left in that freakin' thing". Great guy to work with. He was an Eagle Scout (for real), but I never held it against him.
You get creaking from deflection and parts moving against each other. Securing the stringers reduces deflection. Usually the squeek issue is treads rubbing on risers, the treads deflect when walked on. The preceeding riser should support the entire front edge of the tread and the tread should be fastened or joined to riser at the rear of the tread. Make sure the tread is shimmed underneath where needed on the stringers.
I suspect that if one side of the stair has its stringer firmly mounted to studs, while the other side is "floating", there will be some side-to-side racking of the steps as one goes up/down. This motion would result in the tread and riser sliding on each other and possible squeeks. Leaving both stringers to "bounce" equally would minimize this side-to-side motion.
But of course, the alternate solution is to make the other stringer stiffer, so that there is no bounce to speak of.
Thanks Dan and Hammer
I intend to nail the one stringer to the wall with a 2x4 spacer for drywall and skirt board. The other side will be open to a foyer, but teh stringer supported by a wall below it. Pretty standard install.
Who are the stair experts here? Sounds like Jim, Dan and Hammer have at least built a few.
Snot ...
OHHHHHHH, nail the snot out of it. A little less sexual.