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How To Build Basement Stairs

How much does it cost to build basement stairs?

Cost to Build Basement Stairs Basement Staircase Cost National average cost $2,100 Average range $1,100-$3,200 Minimum cost $960 Maximum cost $10,000.

Do basement stairs need support?

Yes, the stringers need to be supported along their length, but they can span a few feet too, depending on 1) the width of the stairs, 2) the number of stringers, and 3) size of riser board. 1) The wider the stair the more load will be transferred to the stringers.

How hard is it to move basement stairs?

Expect to take a day or a whole weekend to remove your old stairs fully. If you are removing unfinished stairs from a basement and moving them to another part of your unfinished basement, you could do this in less than a day. But a fully finished set of stairs in your house will take much more time to get out.

How much room is needed for basement stairs?

A standard staircase occupies 30-square-feet of space above and below the staircase. This is the most common dimension, given an 8-foot ceiling, where the staircase width measures 3-feet (36-inches) and horizontal floor space occupied measures between 9- to 10-feet.

How wide do basement stairs need to be?

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. Narrow stairs are also a fire hazard.

What is a floating staircase?

What are Floating Stairs? Floating stairs are a type of straight staircase that is self-supported. Because of the self-supported design a floating staircase requires no extra support between the underside of the staircase and the floor below or a wall.

Are basement stairs load bearing?

Load bearing walls tend to run perpendicular (or at 90 degrees) to the elements that they are supporting (joists, frames, beams, etc.). If the staircase walls sit at a 90 degree angle to your supports, it is almost definitely load bearing.

How are stairs anchored?

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.

Are studs under stairs load bearing?

Make sure studs are not load-bearing. If they are, reinforcing studs and headers will need to be constructed. Use a reciprocating saw to remove the studs to fully expose the area. Start by cutting through the studs at the top and then pull or pry the studs away from the floor.

How much support does a staircase need?

Regarding structural design criteria, 2018 IBC Table 1607.1 (30) requires stairs to resist a minimum live load of 300 pounds (concentrated load) or 100 pounds per square foot (psf), or 40 psf for one one-and two-family dwellings.

How long can stairs be without support?

The minimum recommended size for a deck stair stringer is 2×12, which has a maximum recommended unsupported span of 6 feet. Often this maximum span is dangerously exceeded, resulting in overspanned stringers that will deflect and cause the connection at the deck to pull loose and fail.

How much weight can a staircase hold?

What is the Average Stair Lift Weight Limit? Typical stair lifts have a weight capacity of 300 pounds, though many have capacities of 350 to 400 pounds. Stair lifts are designed with various safety protocols in place to ensure the safe transportation of the user.

How expensive is it to move stairs?

Cost to Move Stairs You’ll need a contractor to move stairs. Relocating them costs anywhere from $45 to $85 per hour. Stair installation alone would take two carpenters about 8 hours; moving a staircase could take 12 or more hours. This would cost $720 to $2,040.

Do you need building regs to move a staircase?

When you are adding or altering staircases you do need to get building regulation approval. If you think about the potential risk of someone falling from/through poorly constructed stairs you can understand why this is an important area where regulation is required.

How wide do stairs need to be?

Building regulations state that the width of your individual stairs should be at least 3 feet or wider. As long as the 3 foot width is met, you can expand as much as you like. The entire width of your staircase needs to reach a minimum of 36 inches wide.

What is the formula for building stairs?

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).

How much space should be between stairs and walls?

Staircase Headroom: 6 Feet, 8 Inches, Minimum At any point on the staircase, a user should have a full 6 feet, 8 inches minimum vertical distance between the top of the stair tread and the bottom of the ceiling.

How big of an opening do you need for stairs?

The generally accepted minimum width for a stairway is 36 inches. The width of the stair opening is 36 inches or the actual width of the stairway, whichever is greater.

How long of a 2×12 do I need for stairs?

We suggest 10.5″ for 2×12 or 2 – 2×6 Treads. Treads may be cut to suit other widths. Either B or C is required.

Do basement stairs need handrails on both sides?

Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of each continuous run of treads or flight with four or more risers.

How thick should stair treads be?

Standard stair tread thickness is from 1” to 1 1/16”. There is no standard thickness for stairs that do not have a riser, which can range from ⅜” to 2” and more – it depends on the width of the riser. Stair treads without risers are typically thicker than treads with risers.

How thick should stair risers be?

According to general specifications, your stair riser thickness should be no less than ½”. In fact, many professionals recommend risers with a thickness of ¾”. It’s also important to note that if you do build a closed riser staircase, your stair treads will need to have a note as well.