I know someone that has some shooting houses that are 8ft off the ground. He is wanting some stairs installed. I was wondering what dimension lumber I need to use. 2X10’s? 2X12’s? Can we use 2X8’s? trying to make it some what comfortable to climb especially for the wimmens, toting rifles and coolers and such. How long? All right….. Please hold my hand and let me know what I need to complete the job please and how to do it. Thanks! We plan to use pressure treated lumber.
What about using 2X8 for stringers with 2X6 steps on cleats, with the “risers” or steps at 14″? How would I set that up as far as the angle of the steps if this scenerio would work out.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.â€
Reagan….
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.
–Truman Capote
Edited 11/9/2007 12:25 am ET by jarhead2
Replies
I'm not sure what code says in your area - even if code applied.
I use 2x12.
Take a piece of plywood or anything wide. Draw a triangle of 7 1/2" on one side, 11" on the second side, and the 3rd side is the edge of the wood. Now you have a triangle drawn into the wood face.
Now draw a straight line 8" back of the edge which is the front face of the wood.
How much room do you have left? Will that be strong enough to carry some large men and guns, or those little itty bitty women carrying firewood, or the deer the men shot?
2x12, pressure treated, on a concrete base.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
I agree with you, if I were going to cut them for standard steps and risers I would definitely utilize something like a 2X12. As an after thought I was thinking about smaller dimensions and using cleats.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
If you are having women totin coolers and rifles, you probably don't want a ladder. You could get by with a stair that fits the "utility" description. A rise of 8" with 9 1/4" treads would be an easy climb. That will give you a stringer that is around 11'+. At that length, considering there may be a skirt chaser accompanying the wimmen, I'd want 2x10. I've seen a lot of cleated treads fail. Use some 2x4 cleats and bolt them with washers. 2x10 works for the treads, and I'd bolt them too. If your total height is 8' you will have 12 risers at 8" and 11 treads at 9 1/4". That brings you out about 8 1/2'.
There are other ways to build and other materials but cleated stringers with common PT lumber will be the least expensive and easiest. You can bolt railings to the stringers, too.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
You mentioned the stringer at 11+ ft long, how do you compute that? The other info you have I can "see" now, thanks.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Pythagorean theory, a²+b²=c²Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Rise and run, you have pitch. Easiest way for cleating is to cut your stringers and set them in place, then divide your total rise into acceptable riser steps...14" is waaaaay too high if I read you right, 7.5" to 8.5" falls within the average riser,... Remember to leave the top step one tread thickness heavy as to make all the risers the same.
Then, you simply mark where your tread cleats go and install them level or with a 1/8" pitch forward for runoff (if it's PT, go with level).
For cleating, you might be able to get away with 8" stringer size, maybe a brace in the middle, but for that height I would go with 10 or 12.
If these are to be cut stringers then 12" is your choice.
Rise and run, you have pitch. Easiest way for cleating is to cut your stringers and set them in place, then divide your total rise into acceptable riser steps...14" is waaaaay too high if I read you right, 7.5" to 8.5" falls within the average riser,... Remember to leave the top step one tread thickness heavy as to make all the risers the same.
I computed it out from your calculations and with risers at 9", that would be 11 risers. That will probably work out good. I just need to figure out the length and sell him into buying 10" stringers. I too think 8" inchers are going to be a little flimzy at a heighth of 8'. I will probably go with the cleats as it seems easier and quicker but may talk him into 12" stringers and cut them in. Less wood if I cut them in.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote