How to finish these basement stairs...
#1
01-21-15, 02:32 PM
How to finish these basement stairs...
Everything else is ready to go for our basement finishing. However, I am a little concerned about how we will finish our stairway.
Each tread is already right at 36". I only have about 1-1.5" of room from tread to the foundation (it varies due to the lack of uniform placement). On the side that houses the railing their is roughly 1-1.5" from drywall to tread as well. So perhaps I can move them to get some extra space? Anyway, how would you frame these and fit insulation and drywall to meet our code requirements (at least R-9). Thanks for any input (sorry about the sideways photos...)
Each tread is already right at 36". I only have about 1-1.5" of room from tread to the foundation (it varies due to the lack of uniform placement). On the side that houses the railing their is roughly 1-1.5" from drywall to tread as well. So perhaps I can move them to get some extra space? Anyway, how would you frame these and fit insulation and drywall to meet our code requirements (at least R-9). Thanks for any input (sorry about the sideways photos...)
Last edited by PJmax; 01-21-15 at 05:06 PM. Reason: reoriented pictures
#2
01-21-15, 02:39 PM
Welcome to the forums! We can only see one side of the staircase. Adding XPS insulation (glued) on the walls, taping all the joints and following that with sheetrock (glued to the XPS) will give a finished look, but you need to consider a skirt board on both sides, which will take up an additional 3/4". It will keep your sheetrock from being beaten to death with shoes.
As for your staircase I would use poplar risers painted white with either pine or oak stair treads, stained to suit with a polyurethane finish.
As for your staircase I would use poplar risers painted white with either pine or oak stair treads, stained to suit with a polyurethane finish.
#3
01-21-15, 03:07 PM
Thanks for the reply. Indeed, you can't see the other side... sorry about that. One side is against the concrete foundation and the other side is against a previously finished wall adjacent to the open basement area. My concern is that our county requires a minimum R-9 value for the insulation against the foundation. Looks like R-10 XPS is 2 in thick and my space to work with is 1.5" without even considering the skirt board...
Last edited by PJmax; 01-21-15 at 05:10 PM. Reason: reoriented picture
#4
01-21-15, 03:27 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Got a number of issues.
Should have been 3, stringers, not 2.
Railing needed to be returned to be returned to the wall.
There should have been a landing at the top of those stairs, so your not having to reach up from the stairs to open the door.
Left stringer should have been attached to a 2 X 4 attached to the wall at the bottom of it to allow for a 3/4" skirt board and 1/2" drywall.
Those are just construction treads, real wood treads would be 1" thick.
Should have been 3, stringers, not 2.
Railing needed to be returned to be returned to the wall.
There should have been a landing at the top of those stairs, so your not having to reach up from the stairs to open the door.
Left stringer should have been attached to a 2 X 4 attached to the wall at the bottom of it to allow for a 3/4" skirt board and 1/2" drywall.
Those are just construction treads, real wood treads would be 1" thick.
#5
01-21-15, 03:42 PM
Thanks for the info. I have not done any work so far. I would be replacing the railing, treads, etc. My concern is as stated: finishing that wall with the space available.
#6
01-21-15, 03:52 PM
Group Moderator
1 1/2" Dow Thermax is R10.
I'd also suggest a skirt board as Larry mentioned.
So if you glued it all in place, you'd have 1 1/2", 1/2" sheetrock and 3/4" for the skirt.
I'd also suggest a skirt board as Larry mentioned.
So if you glued it all in place, you'd have 1 1/2", 1/2" sheetrock and 3/4" for the skirt.
