Installing hardwood stair stringers

If possible, keep the lowest step away from doors or other obstacles such as vents, or busy passageways. The staircase can add beauty to a home as long as it isn't located in an inconvenient part of the room. Ideally, the staircase should be placed against a wall, which will give it more stability.

Mark a line from bottom to top. With 1 person on the floor, and another on a ladder, use a pencil with a straight edge or chalk line to mark a diagonal line for the stringer. The stringer is the part of the stairs that the steps, or threads, and risers will be attached. The risers are the vertical pieces perpendicular to the threads. Purchase and transport the materials. You will need 2 stringers and boards for the threads, as well as the risers, which can be purchased precut at a lumberyard.

Ensure that you measure for the correct length and width. Avoid stringers and lumber for the threads and risers that is warped or splitting. Install the stair stringers. With the help of at least 1 other person, place the stringer against the line on the wall. Place a level on the stringer where the thread will be attached.

Locate the horizontal studs in the frame inside the wall. Further secure the stringer with braces all the way to the floor. Align the second stringer for the correct width and height. The second stringer should be supported by a standard frame wall. Brace the wall under the stringer and secure with framing nails. Situate the threads and risers, and handrail. Place the precut threads across the stringers and fasten with nails. Nail the precut risers vertically, between the threads to the stringers.

Install a standard handrail parallel with the stringer using vertical spindles. Fasten entire assembly to the stringers and to the wall at the top of the stairs.

Finish out with carpet or hardwood. Store-bought is degrees. Legally the pitch needs to be degrees. Yes No. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5. Thanks for the tip about brushing off the sawdust carefully from the newly-installed wood staircase to prevent the wood from darkening. My husband wants to replace our staircase with laminated wood as well as our porch to make it look more appealing. I support my husband with this decision, so we will contact a wood baluster installation service early in the morning to inquire about the prices and types of wood that they have as supplies.

June 7, at My stair has landing and turn that make irregular shape not rectangular. How can I install on it? I want to install my stair to match with an existing foyer hardwood floor. How should I find a close match? March 9, at The stairs are a simple box design, straight no landing or turn. Do you recommend installing the stair treads and risers first?

I am wondering about this since I will be installing new engineered wood flooring at the top of the stairs too, and want the finishing to be done right, and without excessive challenges due to poor planning. March 10, at Thank you for getting in touch! Yes I would recommend installing risers first then the treads to ensure you have all the correct measurements and everything fits together.

Please let us know if you have any other questions! Your email address will not be published. Learning Center Find the answers to your home improvement questions. A wooden staircase offers a simple yet elegant transition between floors. SKU: Order Samples For Free Get 5 free samples. No credit card required. Samples shipped straight to your door. A small wedge of wood, shims also come in handy for squeaky stair repair. This task also requires a bit of patience to complete but the result is a beautiful staircase that will last for decades.

Measure the length and width of each stair tread individually. On most staircases, each stair is a slightly different size. This is the result of the house shifting, curved walls or planned design elements. Cut the tread to the exact size needed using a miter saw. The blade of the miter saw must cut the wood on the waste side of the marked line or your stair tread will be too short.

Do not cut through the line or on the measured side of the tread. Both mistakes will leave you with a wasted stair tread.