how do you build basement stairs

How to build basement stairs (DIY)?

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How much to install basement stairs?

Basement stairs are therefore significantly cheaper to build than the main house stairs, estimated at between $900 and $1500. Many estimates place the cost of installing staircases at between $1000 and $3200 or a national average of $2020, but there are estimates as low as $400 for DIY and as high as $5000 for a professional job.

How to build a floor above a basement stairwell?

• Find the location where the bearing wall meets the perimeter walls and mark the exact location on the sill plates that you have just bolted down.
• Place a nail in the sill plate in approximately the center of the basement wall location. ...
• Pull a nylon string line between the nails, it will be directly over the new basement wall. ...

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How to make outdoor wooden steps for beginners?

• Always use treated lumber for your stringers and treads and cedar for the riser. ...
• You may need to add extra height to each riser if the ground around the porch slopes away. ...
• You may find it necessary to drill pilot holes to keep from spitting the wood when screwing them down. ...

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What is the best carpet for basement stairs?

• Material: Olefin as its prime material gives it a more lustrous look to fit into regular or low-traffic stairs
• Better suited for indoor staircase: Plush style construction of its fiber makes it better suited for indoor stair carpeting
• Feel of elegance: 8mm long pile provides your foothold a sumptuous feel underneath on the stairs

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How do you make basement stairs?

1:224:46Building Basement Stairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could have made it as small as 36 could have made a 36. If you get if you can do 38 that'sMoreYou could have made it as small as 36 could have made a 36. If you get if you can do 38 that's better where I'd done the math. Yes. So we have 100 three and a half - to 38 inches for the platform 92.

How much does it cost to build a basement staircase?

The national average cost to install a basement staircase is $1,100 to $3,200, with most homeowners paying around $2,100 for a 12-step wooden staircase with a wood handrail. A short, wooden, straight staircase without a handrail can cost as little as $960.

How do I support my basement stairs?

4:129:04How To Strengthen Weak Basement Steps – Stair Repairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet's go ahead and take a look at you're basically just going to be building a wall with a 2x4 toMoreLet's go ahead and take a look at you're basically just going to be building a wall with a 2x4 to support the tread.

What wood do you use for basement stairs?

Pine: Southern Yellow Pine is the most common material used to make stairs because of its strength and cost. Because its economical, there are several grades of wood. Carpet Grade: This pine is used for stairs intended to be covered with carpet, or for basement stairs, where cost outweighs aesthetics.

What is the cheapest type of staircase?

The most cost effective stair shape is the simplest stair to build. Consider saving money on this simple stair shape, then you may have more money in your budget for upgrades on balustrade style and materials. Straight stairs start around $3,000*.

What is the best flooring for basement stairs?

The 2 best solutions for basement stairs are: 1) carpet and 2) hardwood/wood…or even better a combo of these two – wood plus a carpet runner. What is this? Now, if you have concrete steps, I would just recommend doing carpet. It is the easiest, safest and least expensive option.

Are basement stairs load bearing?

If the staircase walls sit at a 90 degree angle to your supports, it is almost definitely load bearing. Another way to tell if a staircase wall is load bearing or not is to start at the lowest point in your home and work your way up to the staircase wall in question.

Do basement stair stringers need support?

Assuming your stringers are appropriately attached to the floor joists, the stringers should be able to support stairs. Picture unfinished basement steps... usually, it's just the stringers holding up the stairs.

How are stairs attached to wall?

To anchor stairs you must secure the stair stringers in two locations: to the joist or stud wall of the floor or deck above and at the bottom of the stairs. Anchoring the bottom of the stairs requires installing a kickplate and using a concrete hammer if you're securing the stairs to concrete.

How do you finish wooden basement stairs?

0:3310:20DIY Stairs Makeover for Under $200 with Full Cost Breakdown!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPart from the tread well let's call the riser. So I start off by eliminating the connection betweenMorePart from the tread well let's call the riser. So I start off by eliminating the connection between the drywall and stairs by adding a 1-inch piece of trim to the top of the stringer.

What is a good flooring for stairs?

Ceramic is the most common and recommended tile material for stair risers as it's much more durable than porcelain or glass.

Can you use plywood for stair tread?

While ¾” thick plywood or OSB is considered sufficiently thick for subfloors, it is not uncommon to use a thicker material for the stair treads. One inch of total plywood thickness is ideal and can be made from two layers of ½” plywood, bonded together.

How much does it cost to add a staircase?

To build a staircase, it costs the average homeowner $2,048. This project ranges from $958 and $3,283, based on a standard staircase of 10 to 13 steps. However, you could pay up to $10,000 for more extensive or custom projects.

How much does it cost to install a staircase?

Interior Staircase Installation CostsItemUnit CostCostCustom-built staircase: materials for a 10-step staircase with wood stringers and steps$50-$250 per step$500-$2,500Labor Cost$45 per hour$720-$1,440Total Cost$122-$494 per step$1,220-$4,940

Can you make a basement a walkout?

A walkout basement is a basement that has an exterior entrance. This means, that there is a way to enter it without going into the house. Most basements incorporate egress windows for safety but rarely have a door leading outside.

How much room is needed for basement stairs?

The minimum width for stairs is 36 inches with 42 inches being the standard. Depending on the situation, going as wide as 48 inches may be appropriate. Wider steps at the bottom add a dramatic flair to the basement entry.

How much does it cost to replace a basement stair?

The average cost of basement stair replacement is between $850-$3,000. Factors that can contribute to the final price include the level of finish, how complicated the configuration is, and the quality of materials used. If you have grand design ideas in mind, this price could get much higher into the tens of thousands.

Why are basement stairs so disreputed?

Basement stairs are more likely than others to fall into disrepute because they are often out of sight of the main part of the home. This guide will discuss the process of upgrading your basement stairs, focusing on replacing, finishing, remodeling, and building.

How far should a staircase be from the wall?

When sketching out your staircase, the tread (the horizontal steps) should be around 10 inches, and the risers (the vertical gaps between steps) should be around 7 inches. You can adjust these slightly to fit the 35-degree angle.

Why do you put carpet on stairs?

CARPET. Carpet has three main benefits on a set of stairs. First, they make the steps warmer and more inviting ( particularly if the original stairs are concrete or cement). Second, it helps to protect the staircase against the weight of people moving up and down all day. Third, it can make stairs safer.

How to calculate the angle of a staircase?

To calculate this, measure the distance from the basement entrance to the basement floor level. Make a note of this distance and then double it to give the horizontal figure. Measure the horizontal figure from the wall and make a mark on the basement floor.

Why is my basement dark?

Basements tend to be darker rooms than the remainder of the house. When it comes to stairs, this can be a problem due to the difficulty of seeing individual steps. Improving your basement space often involves adding additional lighting, and this can become part of a stair remodel.

How many homes have basements?

That represents around 37 million homes in the country that have basements. That is 37 million homes that have a set of stairs down to their basement.

How to figure out the total rise of stairs in a basement?

Measure the distance starting from your basement floor straight up to the basement ceiling. That will be your total rise. Mark where the stairs will end in the basement. Measure from that mark to the first floor. That will be the total run.

Why do you have to have a slope to basement steps?

Some areas require a certain slope to basement steps in order for them to be deemed safe. If you don’t follow local building codes and something happens, you could be liable, especially since your home insurance often won’t cover damages if things aren’t built to code.

How many treads do you need for a stair tread?

The number of risers will also give you the number of treads (steps) you need. If your calculation gave you 16 risers, you need 15 treads. Whatever the number of risers, subtract 1 to get your tread number.

How tall should a basement floor be?

In a typical room, adding together the riser height and tread width should result in 17-18 inches, but since the basement floor may or may not be a standard height from the floor above, be prepared for unusual measurements. Make sure you don't end up with one step at the top of bottom with an odd height.

How to calculate the height of a staircase?

Convert the total rise into inches and divide by 7, which is the riser height. The dividend equals the number of risers you will have in your staircase. If you end up with a number that is not a whole number, round-up.

Do you need to add frills to basement stairs?

Depending on how often you plan on taking guests down to your basement, you may not need to add any frills or work to make them pretty. Follow these guidelines when planning the build for your basement staircase.

Can you build stairs straight down in a basement?

The easiest option is building the stairs straight down, but that may not be practical in the space allowed.

Where is the newell post on basement stairs?

Alan#N#Take a look at the page top photo of basement stairs. The newell post at the bottom of the stairs is above the first tread and the railing extends past it. However possible concerns with this stair design (as shown) is that there is a snag hazard at the open end of the railing and that if the railing is extended too far past the newell it may be flexible or inadequately supported.#N#I don't understand the part of your question about cutting the stair stringer.

Why do people leave off handrails on basement stairs?

Basement stairs with open side and no railing - people leave off the handrail because it obstructs carrying furniture or other large objects in and out of the basement. It would be better to provide a handrail and balusters that can be removed when necessary.

What is the ADA code for stairs?

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.

Do modular stairs fit?

Leslie#N#If by "modular stairs" you mean pre-constructed stairways, the answer is yes provided that the stairs actually fit the building, in particular, the total rise between floors.#N#You do not want to install pre-fab stairs that cause you to have a first or last step that is a different rise height than the rest of the steps - unless you can solve that trip hazard by a properly-designed landing platform.#N#Brenda H:#N#For a basement that is used as occupied space for any reason (doing laundry, playroom, etc) in a residential home the same stair codes pertain as for stairs between any other building floors.#N#That means that a guard along the stairs (balusters in your question) would be required on an open side of the stairway.#N#Even if your local codes to not require a stair guard you should install one to prevent falls and injuries.

Do you need a guard on the stairs in a basement?

That means that a guard along the stairs (balusters in your question) would be required on an open side of the stairway.

How to make a stringer for stairs?

Though you can do without them, screwing these planks vertically between each step will make the stairs look nicer, and last longer. Cut 1 in × 6 in (2.5 cm × 15.2 cm) boards to the width of your stairs. Secure each stringer with 2.5 in (6.4 cm) screws.

What are stairs made of?

It can seem daunting to think of making your own, but they’re actually made of just three main parts: stringers, treads, and risers. Stringers are diagonal 2 in × 12 in (5.1 cm × 30.5 cm) boards that support people's weight as they walk up the stairs. Treads are the top baseboards onto which you step, and risers are placed perpendicularly under each tread. Measure and cut the stringers accurately, and the other parts will mostly fall into place.

How long should a staircase tread be?

So, if your riser is 7 inches (18 cm) tall, your tread should be anywhere from 9–11 inches (23–28 cm) long. 5. Find the total run of the staircase. The total run is the horizontal distance the stairs will travel from beginning to end.

How far should stairs stop from the deck?

If you want the stairs to stop 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the top of the deck, however, count the total rise as 2.75 feet (0.84 m).

How many inches should a stringer rise?

On your stringer, each step will rise 7.3125 inches (18.574 cm). 4. Establish the run of each step. The run (tread width) of each step should be no less than 9 inches (23 cm) and realistically at least 10 inches (25 cm). This allows enough space for the average foot to step comfortably and safely.

How many inches is a carpenter's square?

Mark a carpenter's square to the height and depth of your steps. In our example, you would need to mark it at 7.3125 inches (18.574 cm) on one side by 10 inches (25 cm) on the other. Be sure you know which side corresponds with the height (riser) and which side corresponds with the depth (tread).

How many steps are there in a total rise?

For example, if your total rise is 95 inches (240 cm), divide it by 7 inches (18 cm) to get 13.53. Round down to get the number of steps: 13.