how do you cut treads and risers

Step-by-step

More items

Full Answer

How do you cut a riser for a stair tread?

Clamp a scrap of wood to the underside of the of the square to serve as a guide, then mark out the first cut with a pencil. The longer line is the tread cut or run, and the shorter line is the riser. Move the square up the stringer, aligning the next tread cut with the top of the riser below, and mark the next tread and riser.

How do you calculate tread and rise on stairs?

Tread and Rise Calculation. Staircase Calculation Formula is. Total Required Number of Risers = Total Stair Rise / Height of One Rise = 60” / 6” = 10 Riser. Total Required Number of Tread = Total Stair Tread or Run/ width of one Tread = 90” / 10” = 9 Tread. Please make use of the below calculator (Input the Values in Inches)

How do you shorten a stair stringer?

The solution is simple – shorten the bottom riser cut on the stringer by the tread thickness. So, that cut where the stringer meets the bottom landing would be 5 ¼ inches from the tread above, while all the other risers would remain at 6 ¼ inches.

How do I make a stair tread template?

First, determine the tread depth and riser height. Seven inches is a common rise and 11-1/2" a common tread depth. With these dimensions, cut a template with the riser height and the tread depth minus one inch as 2 legs of a right triangle. Lay the template on your stringer stock with the long (hypotenuse)...

How tall should a step riser be?

How to cut down a stringer?

What is stair stringer?

How many inches should a stair be?

How to figure out how many stairs to climb?

What is the measurement of the rise of stairs called?

How to outline a stairway?

See 4 more

About this website

How do you cut stair risers?

1:107:15How to Build Stairs | A simple way to mark and cut stringers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe'll have six of those rises. Each cut out run on our stringer will be 10 inches and then we'llMoreWe'll have six of those rises. Each cut out run on our stringer will be 10 inches and then we'll have an 11 and a quarter tread that sticks off an inch and a half so.

What saw to cut stair treads?

Cutting Stair Treads For starters, to cut a full 11-1/2" stair tread, a 12" sliding miter saw is best. This will allow you to make a full 12" cut in one pass. Using a 10" or smaller saw that doesn't slide means you'll have to make two cuts on each side of the tread and is very difficult to achieve a quality cut.

What is the formula for cutting stairs?

Take the total height of your stairs divided by the number of steps. This will give you the exact height you should cut each rise in your stair stringer boards.

How do you measure and cut stair risers?

3:4019:00How To Measure And Cut Stair Stringers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo and we know the rise ideally is something around 7 inches so we can divide this number that. WeMoreSo and we know the rise ideally is something around 7 inches so we can divide this number that. We get from the measurement of the top here down to the ground. And come up with approximately how many

Can I cut stair treads with circular saw?

Ordinary circular saws are not adequate to cut stair treads because of of the wood's thickness and density. Table saws can do the job on parallel cuts, but cutting treads perpendicular across the grain can be tricky, often requiring a miter gauge.

Do you install stair treads or risers first?

When installing stairs, install the riser first, and then the tread. Start at the bottom of the stairs and work your way up, alternating risers and treads. The back of each tread will sit flush against the riser. Treads and risers fasten with construction adhesive to the subfloor.

What angle do you cut for stairs?

The standard staircase angle for commercial stairs is a maximum 32.4 degrees. Commercial building egress stairs are designed to be used by the general public in case of an emergency. The 32.4 degree angle provides adequate tread depth for users to walk up and down comfortably and easily during an emergency situation.

What angle are stairs cut at?

Stair codes and guidelines prefer an angle of around 37° for normal stairways (the green area in our illustration) and around 7° for ramps (the yellow area in our illustration). Steeper slopes or angles are permitted for stepladders in certain applications as you can see in the illustration.

What is the formula for stair treads and risers?

First calculation: Rise in inches divided by 7-inches Divide the rise total by step riser height: 75/7 = 10.71 risers.

How much should a stair tread overhang the riser?

The acceptable tread overhang requirements according to the IRC protrude 3/4″ to 1-1/4” past the face of the riser or riser line to ensure the going is 10-inches. The overhang increases the foot placement space on the tread, but doesn't change the depth of the going, or tread depth under the IRC definition.

How do you calculate step height?

Determining the Rise You divide the height by 7 inches; if, say, the floor-to-floor distance is 8 feet, 10 inches (or 106 inches), then you'll need 15 treads (106 divided by 7 equals 15.14). Next, you divide the height by the number of treads (15 into 106), producing the exact tread height (7.06 inches).

What is the standard height of rise of a step?

7 ¾ inchesRiser Heights In the United States, the step height standard should be between 7 or 7 ¾ inches at the most, and no less than 4 inches.

How do you cut stair tread trim?

1:4313:29How to Install Stair Skirt Boards: Tricks, Finding Angles, Cutting, TransitionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet it on top. And my angle is 37. Now there are two angles that you need to know whenever you'reMoreSet it on top. And my angle is 37. Now there are two angles that you need to know whenever you're cutting your skirt board one is the plumb. Cut the other is the horizontal.

How do you cut retro stair treads?

0:004:28RetroTread® Installation - Closed Stairway - Young ManufacturingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst use a skill saw to cut the nosing on being careful not to cut the skirt board on either side.MoreFirst use a skill saw to cut the nosing on being careful not to cut the skirt board on either side. Next use a sawzall or handsaw to complete the cut to the skirt board.

How do you cut stair tread nosing?

1:583:35How to remove nosing from stairs to install oak wood stair treads.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow there's a number of ways to doing this some guys will just take a hammer and wrap on the nosingMoreNow there's a number of ways to doing this some guys will just take a hammer and wrap on the nosing and it will break at these points and then they'll take a chisel and clean up the corner.

Can you cut vinyl stair treads?

Treads should be individually trimmed to fit each step, both in depth and from side to side. The rear edge should be cut with a slight under bevel for a better fit. The stair treads can be marked with an awl and cut using a steel straight edge and a linoleum knife.

Why are there holes in stair risers?

This is a code requirement in many areas in order to provide good ventilation and to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

How do you calculate steps?

But the most common is to simply take the number of steps you take in a day and divide it by the number of days in a week.

How long can stringers be without support?

It is recommended that stringers be no longer than 16 feet without support.

How tall should a step riser be?

The height of each step can vary a bit but there are general standards. It is standard to have your riser be about 7 inches (18 cm) tall, so use this measurement unless you have specific parameters that prevent it, such as limited headroom.

How to cut down a stringer?

Cut down the lines you marked on the stringer with a circular saw. Start the saw running before it makes contact with the wood. Then slowly work the saw in from the outer edge of the mark towards where it ends, where the rise and run meet.

What is stair stringer?

Stair stringers are the backbone of any set of stairs. They support the treads and provide the structural support of the stairway. In order to cut your stair stringers perfectly, you need to take the time to measure and lay them out correctly.

How many inches should a stair be?

In general, the run of each stair should be about 10 inches (25 cm) in order for people’s feet to fit comfortably as they walk up them.

How to figure out how many stairs to climb?

For this calculation you are simply figuring out how many stairs it will take to get the height you need. Use a calculator or do the arithmetic by hand, as it is generally pretty simple.

What is the measurement of the rise of stairs called?

This measurement is sometimes called the individual rise of the stairs.

How to outline a stairway?

Mark the outline along the square's outer edges. Move the square down to extend the run line to the lower board edge, if necessary. This is the outline of your top stair.

How to Calculate Number of Riser and Treads of Staircase?

Today we are going to calculate the number of riser and treads for a staircase.

How many treads are needed for a stair?

Total Required Number of Tread= Total Stair Tread or Run/ width of one Tread = 90” / 10” = 9 Tread.

Why is the riser of a staircase shortened?

For Example, In hospitals, the rise may be 5” because the staircase mostly utilized only by the ill or sick people where they have to climb without using their full energy. so the riser may be shortened for easy access.

Does the tread width increase or decrease?

Note – This is not a rule. According to the type of buildings, the riser height & tread width may increase or decrease.

How far should the bottom riser be cut from the tread?

So, that cut where the stringer meets the bottom landing would be 5 ¼ inches from the tread above, while all the other risers would remain at 6 ¼ inches.

How tall is the riser on a stair?

Say the overall rise is 25 inches. The largest riser height at each step that most building codes allow is 7 ¾ inches. Dividing 25 by 7 ¾ and rounding up will determine the number of risers in the stair:

Why do decks have less tread than risers?

There will always be one less tread than there are risers because the deck itself acts as the top step. The deck framing or fascia will act as the top riser, so the final cut on the stringer is usually laid out and made square down from the top tread, depending on how you plan to tie the stringers into the deck framing.

How long should a stringer be for a stair?

Notching smaller stock doesn’t leave enough wood to safely carry the loads of a stair. When ordering stringers, allow about 14 inches of stringer length for each step. Look for straight stock with as few knots as possible.

How thick is a bottom riser?

Adjust the Stringer for the Tread Thickness. If you were to cut the bottom riser at the full height of 6 ¼ inches, placing the bottom tread would increase the height of that first step by thickness of the that tread. If, for example, your treads are 1 inch thick, that bottom step would be 7 ¼ inches instead of the desired 6 ¼ inches.

How to find riser height?

To find the individual riser height, divide the overall rise of 25 by the number of risers: The other number you need to lay out stringers is the tread depth, also called the run. The minimum allowed by most codes is 10 inches, and that’s a good size to use.

How thick is a tread?

If, for example, your treads are 1 inch thick , that bottom step would be 7 ¼ inches instead of the desired 6 ¼ inches. That’s unsafe, and a code violation. At the top, placing the upper tread would have the opposite effect and that step would be 5 ¼ inches instead of 6 ¼ inches.

How to measure stair rise?

Now tighten a stair gauge at 8⅛ in. on one side of the square to represent the unit rise, and tighten the other gauge at 9 in. on the other leg of the square to represent the unit run. Keep the corner of the framing square flat on the stringer stock, then slide the framing square onto the crowned edge of the board until both gauges touch the edge of the stringer.

How to trace risers on a stringer?

After establishing the lines for the first tread at the top of the stringer, slide the framing square down, so that the edge of the riser gauge lines up with the tread line. Now trace the next tread and riser. Continue stepping your way down the board until you have the proper number of risers traced out (six, in this case).

What is a 2x12 stair stringer?

Stair stringers are typically made from 2×12 lumber. That’s because a significant part of the board’s width has to be removed for each tread and riser and a 2×12 has enough lumber left after those cutouts. But the problem with dimensional lumber is that it shrinks over time. Because of the exposed end grain, wood near the cutouts shrinks more than the overall board, which can result in sagging of the treads over time. Some builders use LVL stock for stringers because it is less likely to shrink. But pay attention: LVL stock isn’t always perfectly straight, so check for a crown as you would check a 2×12.

How much does a stair gauge cost?

He slipped the gauges onto the square at the proper rise and run dimensions and tightened the knurled bolts to keep them in place. Stair gauges usually sell for less than $10.

Where is the plumb cut on a stringer?

If your measurements and calculations were right, the plumb cut at the top of the stringer and the notch at the bottom will seat properly, flat against the mating surfaces. Set a torpedo level along one of the tread lines to confirm that the steps made from this stringer will be level.

Where is the notch on a basement stairs stringer?

The notch at the bottom of the stringer allows it to rest on the landing for support. Where the basement stairs land on the concrete floor, the thickness of a finished tread must be subtracted to keep the risers even. Cut just the top and bottom of the test stringer and set it in place to make sure it fits properly.

Can you make stair stringers open or closed?

Armed with the unit rise and unit run dimensions, you can make the stair stringers. Stringers can be open or closed, as shown in “Types of Stringers.”. With closed stringers, the treads and risers fit into slots cut into the inside face of the stringer stock. Closed stringers are usually made from finish-grade lumber and are meant ...

What is the tread to riser ratio?

Generally speaking, a tread to riser ratio of around 2:1 is common, meaning that the tread (the horizontal surface you step on) is twice as wide as the riser (the vertical surface between each step).

How do you figure rise and run for stairs?

To figure out the rise and run for a set of stairs, you will need to measure the height of the staircase and the length of each step. To get the rise, measure the height from the ground to the top of the staircase. To get the run, measure the length of each step from the front of the step to the back.

Does stair riser sit on top of tread?

However, in general, it is most common for the riser to sit on top of the tread.

What is the purpose of a stair riser?

A stair riser is a vertical element of a stair that encloses the space between one step and the next.

Do you have to use risers on stairs?

No, you don’t have to use risers on stairs. You can use whatever you like, including risers, provided that they meet your needs and are safe.

Are stair risers necessary?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the staircase and the design. In some cases, risers may be necessary for the staircase to function properly. In other cases, risers may be decorative and not necessary for the function of the staircase.

What are risers in a building?

Risers are the vertical components of a set of stairs. They are the part of the stairs between the treads.

What is DIY step by step?

In the world of DIY, it is the step-by-steps that detail a solution to a problem or project. In my case, it was the steps themselves that posed the greatest dilemma.

Can you sand oak stairs?

The wood finishers that I hired to restore my oak floors said there was really nothing that could be done for the stairs. Sanding them would be useless, since the bullnose edges of the treads (the top, flat boards) were worn bare, “tread bare,” and the risers (the vertical, horizontal boards) were in no better shape.

How tall should a step riser be?

The height of each step can vary a bit but there are general standards. It is standard to have your riser be about 7 inches (18 cm) tall, so use this measurement unless you have specific parameters that prevent it, such as limited headroom.

How to cut down a stringer?

Cut down the lines you marked on the stringer with a circular saw. Start the saw running before it makes contact with the wood. Then slowly work the saw in from the outer edge of the mark towards where it ends, where the rise and run meet.

What is stair stringer?

Stair stringers are the backbone of any set of stairs. They support the treads and provide the structural support of the stairway. In order to cut your stair stringers perfectly, you need to take the time to measure and lay them out correctly.

How many inches should a stair be?

In general, the run of each stair should be about 10 inches (25 cm) in order for people’s feet to fit comfortably as they walk up them.

How to figure out how many stairs to climb?

For this calculation you are simply figuring out how many stairs it will take to get the height you need. Use a calculator or do the arithmetic by hand, as it is generally pretty simple.

What is the measurement of the rise of stairs called?

This measurement is sometimes called the individual rise of the stairs.

How to outline a stairway?

Mark the outline along the square's outer edges. Move the square down to extend the run line to the lower board edge, if necessary. This is the outline of your top stair.