Replies

1. 
   FastEddie | Apr 26, 2006 02:50pm | #1

   Other then spending a fortune on glue lams that wide

   I asume the glulams are for the stringers?

   Don't use stringers.  Build the steps as a series of boxes stacked on top of each other.  Then you can build them as deep as you want ... like landings.

    

    

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   jhausch | Apr 26, 2006 07:51pm | #2

   Make the riser really small

   OK- back to the peanut gallery for me.

   http://jhausch.blogspot.com
   Adventures in Home Building
   An online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.
3. FHB Editor
   JFink | Apr 26, 2006 08:44pm | #3

   I agree with Fast Eddie, that's probably the best solution - and it's easy as pie.

   Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

4. 
   legacycon | Apr 26, 2006 09:58pm | #4

   I don't get it...are the treads 18" deep, or 18" wide?  In other words, is the single unit run of the tread 18" or is the single unit rise of the riser 18".  18x2=36, greater than your total rise right?  That's what has me trying to figure out what exactly you're looking for here.  If it is the rise, then definitely platforms, far more stable and sturdy, but that's a huge rise.  If it is the unit run, well a homogeneous wooden unit at 18", left to outside exposure, is sure to give you problems due to wood movement.  If I HAD to make a tread 18" wide, with no gaps... outside.... I guess it would be 4" laminations of quarter cut white oak, biscuit jointed and glued with either epoxy or marine grade waterproof glue.  The bottoms would have to be dadoed to relieve cupping stress.  But I wouldn't warranty them, and it would be against my advise and buyer beware.

   Good luck, Glen from Canada

   Custom build, heritage restoration, heritage millwork.
5. 
   wrudiger | Apr 26, 2006 10:31pm | #5

   Do you mean something like this?

   View Image

   These steps are only about 12" deep, and are built like one poster mentioned - stacked boxes. I only had about 18" of total rise.  (Wood is Machiche, similar to Ipe).

   I'm having a hard time understanding what you hope to accomplish.  Typically with deep treds you go with shallow rises.  With 36" of total rise your steps will end up extending a long ways from the house.  They would also feel pretty awkward to climb (step up, two steps, step up...) which equates to a trip hazard.  (Liability insurance paid up?)

1. 
   McDesign | Apr 28, 2006 03:25am | #6

   So what's the red iron for - ya gonna' weld in a bike rack?

   Seriously, that's pretty work

   Forrest

1. 
   wrudiger | Apr 28, 2006 04:56am | #7

   You're gonna have to talk to the fung shui expert / DW about the color schemes - LOL.  Actually, we are going to paint all the trim that color - dark brown (current color) is so boring!