Hi all,
Got a question about installing stair treads. I’ve milled my own treads out of some really fine tiger maple and birdseye maple and I’d like to avoid attaching them to the stringers by going through the face of the treads. Can someone point me in the direction of a good method for attaching the treads and risers? I have complete access to the underside of the stairway. I want them to be solid and not squeak.
Replies
can you say, "pocket screws"?
If the appearance underneath is not important, use some 3/4 x 3/4 strips screwed to the bottom of the treads and then screw through them into the sides of the stringers. I would also use some 1 part polyurethane construction adhesive to keep things tight. I did this on my own stairs and they no longer make any noise at all.
Since you've gone to the trouble of making your own treads, I suspect you should consider mortising the stringers. This is the strongest and most traditional method.
The next best method would be to glue and screw from below. I use a Kreg pocket screw jig and place a screw every 8 inches or so. No nails, no squeaks.
Have fun and be sure to check out the various posts by the stair gods on this forum. StanFoster is the authority on fine stairbuilding IMHO.
Could also go the extreme route, and do dovetail mortises into the stair treads, and corresponding dovetails on the stringers. Unfortunately you'd have to show everyone below to see the extent of your work.
Holy C**p, Batman....
though I can see it on a library ladder type stair.....
Have you built the stringers yet?
For hidden fasteners I like to build sub treads and sub risers out of 1-1/8" plywood. Then it's easy to run screws up from the back side where ever they make the most sense. Use PL or at least some form of construction adhesive to fill small voids that might contribute to squeeks 50 years from now.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.