renovating basement stairs - Need instructions
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renovating basement stairs - Need instructions
Hi All,
First of all, thanks in advance for any tip you can provide.
I moved into a an old house that has a finished basement with a carpeted stair with storage room underneath it. The stair is not in good condition (no bad either).
The location for this is kind of crowded and I think it would be best to replace it by a modern style stair with open space underneath (no storage room). I am looking into those stairs that have a string on one side and anchored to the wall on the other and no raisers.
I am looking for tips and plans/instructions to do it. I know it is not an easy job. I do have some basic carpentry skills from long ago. I found instructions for standard stairs on the internet, and I know they are kind of similar but I would like to know what considerations I need to keep in mind for stairs with no raisers, proper way to anchor the steps to the wall and the string to the floor and upstairs subfloor.
Also, I would like tips about where to get the material from. I looked at Box stores step brackets and they might be functional but they do not look good. Also the wood is not good quality. I plan to paint it in solid color so no need to have fancy wood but good long lasting is good enough.
Again.. Thanks in advance for any tips, links
First of all, thanks in advance for any tip you can provide.
I moved into a an old house that has a finished basement with a carpeted stair with storage room underneath it. The stair is not in good condition (no bad either).
The location for this is kind of crowded and I think it would be best to replace it by a modern style stair with open space underneath (no storage room). I am looking into those stairs that have a string on one side and anchored to the wall on the other and no raisers.
I am looking for tips and plans/instructions to do it. I know it is not an easy job. I do have some basic carpentry skills from long ago. I found instructions for standard stairs on the internet, and I know they are kind of similar but I would like to know what considerations I need to keep in mind for stairs with no raisers, proper way to anchor the steps to the wall and the string to the floor and upstairs subfloor.
Also, I would like tips about where to get the material from. I looked at Box stores step brackets and they might be functional but they do not look good. Also the wood is not good quality. I plan to paint it in solid color so no need to have fancy wood but good long lasting is good enough.
Again.. Thanks in advance for any tips, links
#2
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Generally the stringers are cut out of a 2x12 and the treads can be 2xs, 1xs or even plywood. Usually it requires 3 stringers with one of them mounted to the wall you mentioned. The carpenters will probably want to to know how much height you have along with the length available to set the stairs.
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so here is more information. Picture of current stairs:
Horizontal length is about 9'5''
Vertical length to the upstairs floor 7'7''
steps length (measure from the inside) 3ft
number of steps 12 (not counting both floors)
Wight? no specific needs. This is an indoors stairs. We are not particularly heavy but we can have visitors... Not sure what is the regulations but the idea is to build something strong enough
So what you are saying is that the string is to the wall on one side but hidden by drywall ? Keep in mind I am looking for the Stairs that have the string visible on one side but the steps "disappear" into the wall on the other side.
You said 3 strings? All 3 to support the stairs? Can you provide more details?
Thanks !!
Horizontal length is about 9'5''
Vertical length to the upstairs floor 7'7''
steps length (measure from the inside) 3ft
number of steps 12 (not counting both floors)
Wight? no specific needs. This is an indoors stairs. We are not particularly heavy but we can have visitors... Not sure what is the regulations but the idea is to build something strong enough
So what you are saying is that the string is to the wall on one side but hidden by drywall ? Keep in mind I am looking for the Stairs that have the string visible on one side but the steps "disappear" into the wall on the other side.
You said 3 strings? All 3 to support the stairs? Can you provide more details?
Thanks !!
#4
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I'm a painter not a carpenter so there is a lot I don't know about stair construction but I almost always see 3 stringers. On the rare occasion there is only 2, it's either a narrow staircase or the treads feel weak from lack of support. There is a type of stair case where the treads are inlaid into the wall but that isn't very common and likely takes more work. I don't know anything about building steps with that type of structure.
Hopefully one or more of the carpenters will be along later to give you better info on stair construction.
Hopefully one or more of the carpenters will be along later to give you better info on stair construction.
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You will need to go to a real lumber yard to get the material for the project. The box stores just don't stock the types of material you will want. Probably going to need something thicker than 2" stock 4" is what we use. A glue lam beam would be good for the outside and middle stringer a 2 x could be used next to the wall. The top of the stringer dosent attach to the subfloor but to the joist and wall below. So you will be cutting the top step stringer short by the thickness of the stock you attach to the wall and joist. The same for the bottom except the riser is cut short. I would not cut a stringer per say on the outside but let the steps into the beam, it will be stronger an better to attach the handrail to. The inside stringer will just nail or screw to the wall studs or a ledger board set out so that a trim board could slide behind the top half of the stringer.