Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [stairs]

508 questions
31
votes
5 answers

Is there a standard height and depth for stairs?

Is there a standard (or a standard range for) the height and depth of each step in a flight of stairs? If your answer refers to your building code, please say where you live.
Vebjorn Ljosa
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19
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3 answers

New home with gaps in stairs

The stairs in our home being built (production builder) is concerning. The gaps in risers and treads doesn't seem right. When seeing all other homes in same neighborhood under construction they do not have gaps and risers are plywood allowing a butt…
T.Tautfest
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1 answer

How to support a turn in a staircase?

This is for a shed. I'm having problems finding enough support for either stringer and I can't find any close-up images of how this might be done. My only choice seems to be to pull the lower staircase back from the upper. Is there a way to make…
Corey Alix
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9
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1 answer

How can I reduce creaking sound in 100 year old stairs?

I have a house built in 1928, with two large stair cases (straight to small landing, then curved). When we bought the house they were covered in vinyl, and had plywood nailed in between the rear of the tread, up to the nose of the tread above (so…
cliftonc
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8
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5 answers

How do I baby-proof open stairs?

I'm trying to baby-proof my staircase, but the stairs have no risers. (See image below.) I am in a rental, so I don't want to spend the money on cutting, staining, and nailing up plywood. I am thinking maybe corkboard, or using my staple gun to run…
Evil Elf
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7
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10 answers

How should stair treads and risers be assembled?

When assembling stair treads and risers, is it better to have the tread tucked under the riser or have the riser tucked in between the tread and the stringer riser backing? I am inclined to think the former because that way the tread gets more…
amphibient
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7
votes
3 answers

How can I repair treads on an open staircase which have been cut off flush on the ends?

I've bought a Victorian house that the previous owner, in their infinite wisdom, boarded up the main staircase. I've removed the boards to reveal the original spindles, and it seems they have trimmed the treads to fit the boards over flush. As a…
James
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6
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2 answers

Is fixing these stairs as simple as just replacing the stairs and supports?

It looks to me like it's just a support piece nailed into the wall with a 2x4 running across as a step. They go down to our unfinished basement and a few of them are starting to fail. Anything I should be aware of?
Eric
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6
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4 answers

How do I fix these wooden stairs?

I'm not even sure how to describe what has happened to the wooden stairs in my basement, but have included a link to a picture. One stair tread has come out of its slot(?) And one of the support boards has separated from the tread. Not sure where to…
Sgt_Jam_Jars
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6
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1 answer

Refinish or replace an old staircase

I have a staircase from which I ripped up the old carpet. I’m trying to figure out how to refinish, seems I have four options: Refacing with a veneer tread cover and riser. This was my original plan but will involve a lot of precision cutting to…
Michael C
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6
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3 answers

How can I create a platform on my stairs strong enough to support a ladder?

I live in a two-story condo and need to reach a spot on the wall high above my staircase to do some handy work. A ladder is the only way I can do this (I am stating this explicitly in order to avoid responses of Well, tell us exactly what you are…
oscilatingcretin
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5
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5 answers

How do I stop curved stairs from squeaking with no underside access?

I have a curved staircase where the treads and risers are embedded into the skirts. There is no center stringer. The underside is drywalled. I’ve tried to surface screw the front of the tread to each riser but there is both creak from the bottom…
Dan
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4
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2 answers

Can I cut stringers on a closed stringer staircase without affecting the structural integrity?

My current stairs are built inside the stringers, I want to cut the stringers as shown in the picture on both sides in order to lay treads and have them overhang. Can I do this? Or will it weaken the stairs? Current Stairs Red lines indicate where I…
hthecode
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4
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3 answers

How can I deal with a short bottom step on a stairwell?

I've got a interior stairwell with 20 steps of 7 1/2" rise on wood treads, except for the bottom step that's a concrete tread 6 1/2" up from a slab. The top of the stairwell features a pocket door with more or less a 3/8" sill (so technically that…
Bryce
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3
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4 answers

How can I convert a closed stringer staircase to an open stringer staircase?

Currently I have a closed stringer staircase against a wall in my home, and my plan is to convert it into an open stringer staircase. I have looked underneath the staircase and there is no central stringer, just three triangle bits against the join…
Shak
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