How to Do These Things

Building a set of stairs can be an overwhelming job even for an experienced builder. However, familiarizing with some of its basic terminologies and an adept handling of tools can make any competent DIY-er take on the job.

Materials Needed

• Framing square
• Nails or screws
• Circular saw
• Hand saw
• 2 x 6 lumber
• 2 x12 stringer
• Joist hangers
• Masking tape
• Tape measure

Procedure

1. Familiarize yourself with the three parts of a stairs and its basic terminologies.
   • Stringer – part of the structure that actually supports the stairs. There are at least 2 stringers on each side of a stairway.
   • Riser – height of a stair and the vertical portion between steps.
   • Thread – the width of a stair and the part of the stairs that is actually stepped on.
   • Total rise – the stair’s vertical height from the landing to a location level with the height of the upper floor.
   • Total run – the horizontal length of the stairway, which is the edge of the staircase on the landing to the edge of the upper floor.
2. Design and measure your stairs.
   • Compute for the total rise and set a 2 x 4 on the deck or floor. Make sure that it is level with a carpenter’s level.
   • Determine the number of steps by dividing the total rise by 7.25. This value is widely accepted as a standard riser height. Round off the answer to get the number of steps.
   • Compute for the total run. Do not include the deck or the floor in your count. Therefore, if you have 9 risers, you will only need 8 threads.
   • Determine the height of each riser. Divide the total rise by the number of risers.
3. Lay out the stairs.
   • Lay out your stairs on the 2 x 12 stringers with a framing square. Mark the long arm and the shorter arm with a piece of masking tape. These will serve as your rise and run values.
   • Set the long end of the framing square to the direction of the end of the board. Align together the two marks and set the end of the board facing towards you. Draw the outline of the square.
   • Guide the framing square up to the top mark. Straighten the markings and mark the spot. Continue to do this along the entire length of the stringer.
4. Cut the stringers.
   • Cut along the marked lines with a circular saw. Take care to finish the cut with a hand saw.
   • Test for the accuracy of your measurements and calculations by test-fitting the first stringer. Then use it as a template for marking the other stringers.
5. Assemble the stairs.
   • Join the stringers to the deck with joist hangers attached to the framing.
   • Set in the threads starting from the bottom. Use 3-inch nails or screws to secure them in place.
   • Rise, wash and repeat the procedure.

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