How to lay out stair treads?

[LeeB]

Somebody help me out here. I've forgotten how to lay out a stair riser.  ???

[D Hagens]

I guess it all depends on your local laws. Out my way it's 7inch rise and 11inch run. Use a square with stair gauges on it and the job flies by.

[Radar67]

Here is a good site to look over that covers all types of stairs.

http://schools.ednet.ns.ca/avrsb/133/ritchiek/notes/Text/grade10/stairconstruction.htm

What is your rise and run?

[woodmills1]

ifin ya doesnt get the info pm to me I will call an help

[Planman1954]

Grab a tape and a piece of paper. To start, measure from one finish floor line to the one above. Be sure to add in for any flooring rise (Tile, etc.). Divide that number by 7.5". That will give you the number of steps. If it is a number between whole numbers, take a little bit away from the 7.5", say 7.25", or add a little, say 7.75" until you get near a whole number. Then take your paper and draw a side view of your steps with the complete number of steps in it. This gives you a visual of the actual cuts you are about to make. Also on your drawing, you can draw on the stair treads. This serves to get the correct dimensions since the bottom step will be cut a little shallower than all the others due to the tread sitting on the top of the first cut step. Finally take into accout the top step connection to the second floor. I always do a complete drawing of the stringer with the treads and upper connection with all the dimensions.  Most stringers are cut from a 2x12. I use 1 1/2" treads, although some cut a center stringer and use 3/4" treads. Also the length of the treads should be about 11". If you are going to add 3/4" stock over the rough framing, allow for the overhang. In other words, the rough framed tread may only be 10" since the finish treads will overhang 1" Good luck...and do the drawing!

[LeeB]

The math on this one is kinda tricky because the stairs are from the side of a new deck to the ground which slopes away at a fair angle. What is the avearage angle for the stringers. That will help me figure where the landing will be. I guess I should have asked about that first.

[Hanson]

It's been awhile since i layed out a set of stairs but I think its right around 35 deg.  Hanson

[Radar67]

Lee, I had the same issue with my front deck. On average, you should have 7 inches of rise to every 10 inches of run.

Measure from you deck down to the ground where your stairs will be. As stated earlier, divide that number by 7 to see how many treads you need for the 7 inch rise. use the number of treads and multiply by 10. Use a level line from the base of your deck and pull it out to the measurement your got. That is where your landing needs to go. If it is still too high off the ground, you will have to build another set of stairs down to the ground.

Clear, or clear as mud? 

[DouginUtah]

Not sure if this will help. It is more for a house layout. I wrote the program (available on my web site).

Important to note that Large fonts under Display | Settings | Advanced must be set to see the whole layout.

[northwoods1]

the old guy that taught me said the 1st thing you need to do is figure out where you want the short step on the top or the bottom of the stairs :D

[LeeB]

Thanks for all the replies fellas. With everybodys help I managed to cifer it out. I went ahead and built a landing and got lucky. The rise was exctly 77 inches. No muss, no fuss on figuring and no short step.