QA

Quick Answer: How To Calculate Stair Stringers

Choose a stair rise somewhere between 7 and 7-1/2 inches. Take your total height divided by that stair rise number. This will almost always give you a long decimal number. Round to the nearest whole number – this will be the number of steps you will have in your staircase.

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 many step stringer do I need?

If cut stringers are used in the stair construction, then at least three stringers are required. Cut stringers should be spaced no more than 18 inches on center. For example, a 36-inch-wide stairway should have three stringers. If the stairway is wider than 36 inches, four stringers should be installed.

Are stair stringers 2×10 or 2×12?

It is acceptable and within building code guidelines to use either 2×10 or 2×12 dimensional lumber to create a set of stairs; however, a stair stringer should not be less than 3.5 inches wide at its narrowest point to provide adequate strength for the load the stairs will be supporting.

How do you calculate running stairs?

Be sure to check your local building codes when determining run. To find the total run of the example staircase, you take the number of treads (12) and multiply it by the tread depth (9”). If your code is different, use your code’s tread depth. You must now add 2.25” or 1.75” for nosing and riser thickness.

How do you calculate stair landing?

The height of the landing is determined by where it is located along the stair run. In this design, since it is half way from the top level, it is 8 steps high (8 x height of each step (6 7/8) equals 55 inches). The horizontal positioning of the mid-level landing is determined by the number of treads on the stair run.

What is the formula for the slope of stairs?

The sum of one rise and run should equal 17″ – 18″ The sum of two risers and one run should equal 24″ – 25″ One rise times run should equal 70″ – 75″ The acceptable slope is between 20 and 50 degrees, with the preferred slope being between 30 and 35 degrees.

How many stairs do you need to go up 12 feet?

For example, suppose your height of ceiling is 12 feet high, generally you will need 20 stairs or steps to go up (12 × 12 ÷ 7 = 20). Formula for number of stairs or steps = total height × 12 ÷ 7 or height of staircase/ height of one riser.

Can I use 2×12 for stair treads?

Stair treads may be made of a single 2×12, but are often made of two decking boards or 2x6s. A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2×12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads. The stair treads should be at least 36 inches wide.

How far apart should stringers be?

Deck stairs are typically made from 2 x 12 stringers spaced about 12 to 16 inches apart. They rest on a solid foundation and are attached to the deck with hangers. They have risers (also called toe kicks), treads and railings. The stairs should be at least 36 inches wide.

Can I use 2×8 for stair stringers?

You should attach 2×6 or 2×8 support framing under the rim flush to the bottom of the stringer. The stairs will hang here. Install a piece of blocking below the rim joist to extend the attachment surface for your stairs stringers. Use a level to mark the top step.

How far can a 2×12 stair stringer span?

A 2×12 stringer has a maximum unsupported span of 6 feet. These stairs (7) are likely to deflect and cause the stringers to either pull loose from the framing or shear along the grain.

What size board do I need for stair stringer?

Stringers should always be cut from 2x12s. 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 do you calculate stair steps?

Divide the rise by 6 or 7 inches (15 or 18 cm) to find the total number of stairs. For larger stairs, divide by 6 and for smaller stairs, divide by 7. The total you get is how many stairs your future staircase will have so you can plan accordingly.

How many stairs do you need to go up 8 feet?

Stair Rise for 8-Foot Ceilings An 8-foot ceiling will need 14 treads. Divide 96-inches (8-feet) by 7-inches to get 13.71 treads, and round up to 14. In this case, you would not round down as you would have one step that is too tall.

How many steps is 4 feet?

A four-foot high deck can have a range between 6 and 8 steps.

How many steps before a landing is required?

ADA Stair Landings – A landing must be at the top and bottom of each stairway. – A landing is required every 12′ of vertical stairway rise.

Does the landing count as a step?

Does the landing count as a step? Yes it does. It amazes me how many people like to argue this one. Remember that when counting stairs, you are counting how many times you have to lift your foot.

What angle is a stair stringer?

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.