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Stairs

Staircases have a simple job: Get people from one floor to the next with a minimum risk of tripping or falling. Grand or simple, staircases all have the same basic parts. There are treads, stringers, risers, skirt boards, railings and balusters. It’s the putting them all together part of it that can get complicated.

Any good carpenter can bang together a basic set of porch stairs in a couple of hours. But even here, there is some basic planning and basic math. Treads and risers should be uniform and fall within the limits set by the prevailing building code. The stringers and other structural parts have to be beefy enough to do the job. When stairs get more complex, so does the design and construction. A truly elaborate staircase, with a curved railing, say, or a handrail that twists around its lower newel, is going to take a lot of math, and a lot of skill to pull off. Even minor variances from a plan can make staircases difficult or unsafe to use.

One of the intriguing things about stair construction is the sheer variety of possibilities that carpenters have in building them. There are as many design ideas for balusters, railings, treads and trim as there are stairbuilders. No less important are the construction tips that result in tight joints, no squeaks, and long-lasting functionality. Here again, watching a professional tackle a problem can be a lifesaver.

Building a set of stairs, particularly a first set of stairs, can be a daunting exercise even for the experienced. Don’t be put off. This collection of videos and articles will get you headed in the right direction. And if you’re a seasoned professional, there’s still something to be learned. Either way, you’re in the right place.

  • Podcast 471: Members-only Aftershow

    In our inaugural members-only podcast aftershow, Patrick and Ian give Andrew advice about how to tackle his upcoming home projects, as well as share insight into how to approach insulation…

  • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs

    Preassembled baluster sections speed construction of this deck-stair guardrail.

  • Considerations for Building a Successful Staircase

    Watch award-winning architect Duo Dickinson take an in-depth look at designing and building a beautiful, successful staircase in this webinar.

  • Trimming Deck Stairs

    When it comes to trimming deck stairs, emphasis on quality materials and installation methods yields a high-quality and attractive finish.

  • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing

    A simple solution to framing new stairs to an out-of-level, 100-year-old patio.

  • Safety Regulations for Irregular Stairs

    Building codes address the hazards of using ship's ladders, alternating tread devices, and more unusual stairs.

  • Scribing a Skirtboard to an Existing Stair

    A how-to for when you have to put in a skirtboard the hard way.

  • Stairs: Code, Craft, & Design

    Award-winning architect Duo Dickinson shares inspiration and techniques for creating interior staircases, landings, and railings that are both practical and beautiful.

  • Problem-Solving Through Stair Landings

    International Residential Code requirements for intermediate and odd-shaped stair landings.

  • Stairs to a Pitched Landing

    When the landing isn't level, there are a few different options for building safe and code-compliant deck stairs.

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Fine Homebuilding

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