I’m replacing the interior stair treads and risers in my home, and need a few tips and pointers.
The stairs are 50″ wide and the 2 stringers are constructed from notched 2 x 12’s attached to the wall studs. The carpeted pine treads and risers will be replaced with maple treads and risers. (I have easy access from both above and below the stairs)
My questions are:
What is the best way to attach the new treads and risers to the existing stringers?
Should I add a third stringer?
What is the best mothod to fasten the treads and risers together?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Replies
Clay,
If you're going half way, why not go all the way. You can get a stair shop to build you a complete set and ship it to you knocked down. Then you assemble it in place. It's a little tricky but not too hard. I've done it several times. I start by ripping out all the old stuff. Next, I hold the new stringers in place and make sure to clean out any plaster or drywall that will be in the way. I then pull them down, attach the top riser and tread( If it has a top tread) and put the stringer bac k in place. I then start at the bottom and work my way back up. Each tread and riser gets glued in it's place. the risers and treads get glued together and glue blocks fit in the joint at the top of the riser and front of the tread. At each tread I shim the stringers against the wall, pushing them in against the treads and stringers to ensure they are tight. I nail the risers to the back of each tread from underneath with a nail gun. I nail the treads down to the risers with a finish nailer. Be sure to clean all of the glue as you go ( especially if you use some sort of construction adhesive. Something highly recommended.).
If you want to go the other way, I would pull down the two stringers already in place and attach a piece of 1x or even 5/4 to the side against the wall so that it will create the look of an enclosed shop built stair. While you have them down, cut a third stringer. 50" is wide. With all the stringers in place, start filling in the risers and treads. I use construction adhesive or something similar. First gluing everything to the stringer, then the pieces to each other. I nail the bottom of the risers to the back of the treads with a framing nailer and ring shanks, or by hand. . Then I use a finish nailer to nail the teads down to the risers. then use glue blocks underneath where the riser and tread meet in the front. They look like champher strips or crown blocks. Lots of glue on them.All of the pieces are glued to one another. since everything is glued, I use my 15g finish nailer on the faces. More to set everything fast in the adhesive then to fasten it. I USE A LOT OF ADHESIVE.
If you really feel the need to nail or fasten thru the top of the treads with something bigger, try screws. Drill a 1/2 hole, then a pilot hole. Screw the treads down. Then, cut plugs from a scrap piece of tread. Match the grain direction and sand after the glue dries.
Thanks for the info.
I'm beyond the first option since the treads and risers are in presently my garage.
Your second option has confirmed what I thought was a suitable method to attach all of the pieces.
Two points:
First, the new issue of FHB has an article that deals with trimming a stairway. That's not what you asked about, but it might be of help.
Second, 50" is a long space between stringers. If it were mine, I'd be planning to add two more, to get close to 16" centers. I know that my idea is overkill, but a 50" staircase allows enough space for two adults on each step. And two adults on some of the other steps. And maybe there might actually be four adults, carrying a piano?
I exaggerate. But I think that you see what I mean. Go with the extra stringers.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Thanks for the info.
What about a couple of strongbacks built from 2x6's? Each stair section is only 6 risers interrupted by a 9'x8' landing?
2X6 Strongbacks are probably stonger than cut stringers. By the time the notches are cut, most stringers are less than 5 1/2".
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.