If you’re building a staircase, one of the most important pieces of your new staircase are the stringers. Stringers are the main structural support pieces of stairs, and it’s important to cut them correctly to ensure a uniform fit between the risers and treads. Before cutting the stringers, make sure to lay them out and use a template to ensure a perfect fit.
Using a framing square
Using a framing square is an important tool to cut stair stringers accurately. It allows you to make accurate cuts with little effort. Using a square ensures the steps are uniform and safe. A framing square is a simple tool that is often overlooked when it comes to stair construction.
Start by cutting a length of 1 x 1 lumber to 6-3/8″ and a width of 16″. Place a framing square on the floor and line it up with a pencil line. Make sure that the square is parallel to the stringer’s top and bottom lines.
When you’re cutting stair stringers, a framing square will help you ensure that all the cut pieces are the same length and width. If you’re not a skilled carpenter, you can simply use a framing square to lay out the stair stringers and attach them to adjoining walls.
Using a 2×12 board for stair stringers
The layout of your stair stringers will depend on the style of your stairs. For example, if you’re building a set of open stairs, you’ll want to keep the rise and run measurements aligned on the edges of the stringer. You’ll also want to make sure that the tread nosing is set within the outer periphery of the stringer. To calculate the rise for each stair, multiply the number of stairs by the unit rise and divide the result by the ideal rise, which is seven and a half inches.
When cutting your stringers, you should stick to 2×12 boards. You don’t want to use smaller stock, because it will not have enough wood to support the load of the stairs. Also, stringers should be at least 14 inches long per step. They should also be free of knots and spaced at least twelve inches apart.
Choosing a stair stringer with a wider throat
When building stairs, choosing a stair stringer with a larger throat is an important consideration. Besides aesthetics, stair stringers have structural value, and choosing a wider throat will ensure that there is enough support to keep the stairs steady. Moreover, a wide throat requires less support than a narrow throat.
A stringer with a narrow throat can cause a stair to collapse, causing a potentially catastrophic injury to a person. The width of the stair throat is influenced by the rise and run of each step. To decide which stair stringer size is right for your staircase, measure the distance between the first and second step. If the rise and run of each step are equal, you need a stair stringer with a larger throat.
Another consideration is the tread depth. A 2×10 stringer with a 10-inch tread width and 7-inch rise can support a tread with a depth of 1.25 inches. However, if the nose of the tread is greater than the required 1.25 inches, a deeper cut is required to create a deeper notch. The 2×10 board may not be wide enough to accommodate a deeper notch.
Choosing a stair stringer with a longer top most run
When building stairs, you need to make sure that you use a stair stringer that is thick enough to support the weight of the steps and people using them. Stair stringers are typically made from 2×10 or 2×12 dimensional lumber. The stringer should be at least 3.5 inches wide at its narrowest point. The stringer will determine the height and depth of each tread and riser.
The type of wood used for stair stringers can also make a difference in cost. Depending on how strong you need the stair stringer to be, you can choose engineered wood. The price will be lower, but make sure that the quality is good. It is best to choose wood that is in good condition with few knots. Choosing a stair stringer with large knots will decrease the overall strength of the staircase.
