What Is A Stair Stringer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A stair stringer is

the support frame piece to which the risers and treads of the stairs are attached

. A staircase will typically have two stringer boards (one on either side) to three stringer boards (one on either side and one down the center) at minimum.

Do you need a stringer for stairs?

You’ll need

at least one stringer for every 16 inches of stair width

. If you’re using synthetic decking for the treads, some manufacturers require stringers to be spaced no more than 12 inches apart.

What part of stairs is the stringer?

A stringer is

the vertical support board or structural member that runs along each side or center of the staircase

. The treads and risers are fixed into the stringer. Different stringers can combine with different types of stair treads to provide an almost endless combination of stair designs.

What are 2 types of stringers?

  • Cut Stringer: It is also known as open stringer. …
  • Closed Stringer: Closed stringer is also known as housed or routed stringer. …
  • Mono Stringer:

Are stair stringers 2×10 or 2×12?

Pressure-treated or cedar

2×10 or 2×12

can be used depending on the depth of the cut-outs you’ll be using. By code you will need a minimum of 3-1/2′′ of material left on the stringer after the cut-outs and that area should also be free of large knots which would weaken the stringer.

Is 45 degree stairs too steep?

A stair at a

45-degree angle is not allowed by code due to the maximum riser and minimum tread standards

. Conversely, matching a 10” tread to a 10” riser would exceed the 7-3/4” max riser. … It’s a no go either way.

What is side of stairs called?


The outer string

is the side of a staircase where the treads and risers can be seen from the side. Riser. A riser is a vertical board that forms the face of a step. Nosing. Staircase nosing is a horizontal edge of a step often used where the most foot traffic occurs.

Can I make my own stair treads?

you can make them the thickness you want, width and depth

you

want, out of what wood you want, and finish them how you want. plus the gratification of having DIY when your done. ive looked through a stack of stair treads at the local HD a while ago.

How many stringers do I need for interior stairs?

If cut stringers are used in the stair construction, then

at least three stringers are required

. Cut stringers should be spaced no more than 18 inches on center. For example, a 36-inch-wide stairway should have three stringers. If the stairway is wider than 36 inches, four stringers should be installed.

How do you draw out stair stringers?

  1. Finding rise and run. …
  2. Clamp a guide to the square. …
  3. Find the crown. …
  4. Lay out the first tread and the second riser. …
  5. Lay out the second tread and the third riser. …
  6. Mark the back of the top tread. …
  7. Mark the plumb cut at the top of the stringer. …
  8. Lay out the bottom riser.

How thick should a stair stringer be?

If the stair treads are set into grooves routed into the stringer, in a 2x stringer the groove depth should be 1/2 the thickness of the stringer (

typically 3/4′′

) and additional support by cleats or by gluing and end-screwing through the stringer sides into the treads is good practice.

What is a stair skirt?

The skirt is basically

a piece of trim used to cover the structural section of the stairs

. … A skirt board is installed to the finished wall (sheet rock, paneling, etc.) once the open side of the stair has been finished.

How many stair stringers do I need?

The number of stringers you need is

a function of the width of the staircase and the tread material

. Cut stringers can be spaced no more than 18 inches on center, so a 3-foot-wide staircase needs three stringers, and a set of slightly wider stairs (say 3 feet 6 inches) needs four stringers.

Can I use 2×12 for stair treads?

Stair treads may be made of a single 2×12, but are often made of

two decking boards

or 2x6s. A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2×12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads. … The stair treads should be at least 36 inches wide.

Can I use 2×6 for stair stringers?

Attach the Stringers to the Deck and Footer

Cut a 2×6 board to fit snugly between the two stringers at their base. This will be used to fasten the stairs to the concrete pad. Place the board between the stringers and attach to stringers with 3” galvanized deck screws.

What size lumber do you need for stair stringers?

The stair stringers are essentially the backbone of your staircase. Always use straight,

high-quality, pressure-treated 2x12s

for stair stringers. If you are planning on resting the stringer on the ground, make sure the wood has .

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.