I need to build my first set of stairs, or should I say steps since there are just two.
What I have is a 8′ wide wall opening and a 18″ or so drop from one floor level to the next, the steps are to be only 4′ wide with railings on ether side on the upper level and down both sides of the steps. Both floor levels are subfloored now and are to be finished with hardwood later.
My question is, do I build the steps first then install the hardwood floor on the lower level (hardwood cut around stringers) or install the flooring first (stringers on top of hardwood)?
If I build enclosed steps it seems obvious that the flooring would be cut around and finished with molding, but if I build open steps what do I do?
Thanks,
kwik
Replies
Hi
Either way will work .But in ur case i would do the floor first
I'd frame the steps in first, keeping in mind that you'll be adding finish flooring later (and adjusting the heights of the rough risers accordlingly). This will give you more options when fastening the stringers to the subfloor. Having to work over and around finished flooring adds complications that you can avoid by doing the stairs first.
I'd also frame the steps first. Wouldn't want the stringers sitting on the flooring. If your rise is 18" , you may want to add an extra tread... 8 1/4" is the max in some places for the rise.http://www.tvwsolar.com
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Frame steps first, just be sure you make all risers come out the same height once all finish material is installed. For 2 steps (3 risers) I think most people would just build a coupla boxes rather than actually doing stringers.... I would anyway...
If it is a 18" total rise, that would end up being three 6" risers so you might want to make the step treads a little wider than the minimal 9.5" or whatever - like maybe 12" wide. Hopefully you have room. The rule of thumb is the lower the riser, the wider the tread. There are a few formulas to use for this, but my favorite is rise x run= ~75.
If I build enclosed steps it seems obvious that the flooring would be cut around and finished with molding, but if I build open steps what do I do?
If you mean something like this (but with 2 treads, 3 risers):
View Image
then, by all means, install the flooring first, sand and finish (if necessary), and then drop the short stair set onto dowels drilled into the finished floor.
If the total rise is 18", then I would break that into three rises of 6" and two tread runs of 11" (plus nosing) for proper step proportions.
Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Edited 1/7/2009 7:01 pm ET by Riversong
Redrawn graphic attached.
Riversong HouseWright
Design * * Build * * Renovate * * ConsultSolar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Robert, if you are online, how is the weather treating you?
We had a bad ice storm which turned to rain most of the day, looked like it was heading your way.
Snow turned to sleet here. About 4" new on the ground. More snow coming and very cold weather the rest of this week.
Riversong HouseWright
Design * * Build * * Renovate * * ConsultSolar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Thank you for all the information.
My first concern was steps or flooring first, all of you have now made me think further ahead about the rise and thread length, thanks, good info.