Questions tagged [stairs]
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305
questions
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1answer
46 views
How do you achieve this stairway 'chaser' effect with an LED light strip?
Here is a gif showing it in action, once the motion is detected, the strip slowly lights up directionally from bottom to top, how is this achieved? I can't seem to find how this is done: Looping GIF ...
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2answers
76 views
Can you build a retaining wall vertically with no angle?
I am planning to redo our front steps in stone and my plan is to essentially have two stone walls on each side of the steps coming down from the entrance. For appearances it would be definitely ideal ...
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2answers
57 views
What's the best way to attach timber cleats to stair stringers?
I'm using 2x4 timber cleats to support the treads for a set of stairs going up to a deck. The stringers are 2x10 and both the stringers and 2x4 are pressure treated pine. What would be the best size ...
5
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3answers
123 views
How can I safely replace a light fixture above a stairwell?
In my 1911 home, there is a stairwell that has a 180 degree turn with a landing, and there is a light fixture directly overhead (centered over the railing) that I would like to replace with a pendant ...
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0answers
41 views
Can stair stringers overhang landing?
I'm building a new set of stairs up to a deck. The concrete landing for the stairs is less than 3 feet wide and has a fence along the opposite side from the stairs.
I basically have 2 options that ...
3
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2answers
72 views
How do I treat a recently sanded pine staircase?
I want to restore our Victorian staircase, going from a drabby flattened 1960s beige carpet, to a fully sanded, restored looking staircase, with painted risers, stained treads and a runner down the ...
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2answers
40 views
Can I sand and re-varnish a flawed area on my staircase?
I have a new staircase that's gone in, and I've happily stained and varnished it.
Now I have a problem.
It appears that on the handrail that was varnished, some of the adhesive from tape that was ...
3
votes
2answers
537 views
US residential stair railing code: What is the requirement for terminating an open railing?
We're trying to pick out railings for our house. Our stairs are going to have an open side and we want to use a modern railing system such as this one:
You can find plenty of similar images for ...
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3answers
55 views
How to effectively and efficiently remove varnish from wood
I have been restoring an old staircase. I started sanding it with fine sandpaper and then tried rougher paper. It seems that the varnish layer on the wood is melting when sanding over it and sticking ...
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2answers
147 views
Black dots on wooden stair treads, can't sand them away
I am quite a beginner as far as diy is concerned and I'm in the process of refurbishing the old wooden stairs in our new house. Never done that before. It was carpeted so I removed it and there were ...
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1answer
51 views
How can I slope outdoor rounded steps?
I'm having a debate with my contractor about sloping our outdoor stairs. I hope to have 1% slope because we get a lot of rain. But because the steps are rounded, my contractor says the difficulties ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Remove support under the interior stairs
Hi I’m putting storage space under my interior stairs. The area I want to open up has a piece of timber right in the middle. I’m hoping some one can tell me if it can be removed?
Pic1-Purple is the ...
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1answer
99 views
Make stairs that don't require a handrail
Looking at some building codes and it seems that if I do 3 steps and then a 3 foot landing, then another 3 steps and another 3 foot landing, repeating this pattern I don't need any railing. Is this ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
How to trim between wood floor and circular opening for spiral stairs
I recently replaced the carpet in my attic with a floating mdf backed engineered hardwood floor. the attic has a circular opening in the floor for a spiral staircase.
The face of the opening is 3/8" ...
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2answers
49 views
How to repaint old spindles
I hired contractors and they recommended using tremclad semi gloss to repaint my stairs but unfortunately it's leaving a really ugly look. They are saying it's because there's urethane on the spindles,...
2
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1answer
79 views
How can I rerun cables along stairs where a wall is being removed?
I want to partially take down the wall that currently serves as my staircase handrail. I will replace that portion of the wall with a cable rail.
.
The picture above was taken while the house was ...
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1answer
46 views
How to prep spruce treads for staining
I ripped out carpet for my stairs and there's 2X6 spruce wood underneath.
It's in pretty rough shape. Had lots of staples. Some paint. Some spilt varnish.
My question is are these stairs ...
1
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2answers
61 views
What to do with risers when they aren't great quality
I'm trying to give my stairs a facelift. I've removed carpet and this is what's left.
My original intention was to stain. But it doesn't look like that's gonna be possible.
My question is what ...
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2answers
47 views
Tips on how to install laminate over existing flooring
Currently I'm at the point where my laminate reaches the stair nosing and I'm unsure what to do.
[![enter image description here][2]][2]
I have a stair nosing piece but I'm finding that it's awkward ...
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3answers
156 views
R302.7 Under-Stair Protection - does drywall need to be below stringers or just treads and risers?
I am finishing a room in my basement, and a wall will butt up against where the stairs are. I'm planning on making a small door to access the volume below the stairs for a small storage area.
The ...
4
votes
3answers
275 views
Ideas on how to fix a void at the bottom edge of my concrete steps?
I was recently pulling weeds and I noticed that there is a hole at the bottom of my concrete stoop. I'm not quite sure on how to address it. I'm pretty handy so I'm sure that this can be tackled ...
0
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1answer
42 views
How can I make my hard stone entrance staircase softer and more kid friendly?
I live on the top floor of 3 storey housing unit. When you walk into our house, you are immediately faced with a staircase that takes you up to the third floor.
The stairs are made of stone slabs ...
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2answers
77 views
How can I extend a concrete step without repouring?
Two rooms in my house are connected with a set of concrete steps (one tread). As built, the ledge for the first step is inline with the wall framing.
This means that when I add drywall the finished ...
0
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2answers
124 views
How to fix gap between carpet and wall to prevent rodent?
Our condo is located in a forest/mountain area and we have suffered some rodent issues lately. We have two stories, and bedrooms are located downstairs. As I sleep at night, I often hear sound of ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Can I use regular pine lumber as a stair tread cover?
I'd like to use knotty pine boards as stair tread covers instead of actual tread covers. The tread covers I've seen are 1" or 2" wide pieces fit together to make a board, I'm guessing this is done to ...
2
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4answers
117 views
Nails sticking out of balusters
Recently purchased a house and noticed some nails sticking out of the balusters on a staircase. They are pretty sharp so I'm worried about someone stepping up brushing their foot up against it.
What ...
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1answer
100 views
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2answers
49 views
PT vs hemlock for garden stair treads
I’m building a set of outdoor stairs down a 14 foot drop over 60 feet. I’m going to use 6x6 as the front edge treads and then backfill.
This means the wood will be in contact with the ground. I am ...
0
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2answers
107 views
Staircase Design Review
I am designing a staircase to be built inside a house. At the moment I am not concerned about materials or supporting structure but rather with the usability and safety. I realize I may not build a ...
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1answer
48 views
Should particle board treads be removed before finishing my stairs?
The. Builder installed temporary stairs of particle board.
Should we remove these prior to installing the
Permanent stairs and risers?
0
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1answer
53 views
Laminate Stair Nose Installation
Below are all the pictures that correspond to my question.
Last night I installed some stair nose molding and tried to follow the instructions the best I could (the part of the instructions in ...
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2answers
58 views
Stair Illumination: Location of light
Before I close this up, is this legit location for light at bottom of stairs? Yes, switch at top and bottom, and light at top as well. Through some quirk of symmetry, this can light (of 12 total), ...
0
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2answers
85 views
ideas for using a closed stair
This is a 300 years old building split into multiple apartments in the middle of Lisbon. When doing some cleaning (removing some cover tables), what supposed to be a "small" cubicle/closet turns out ...
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2answers
72 views
Is this Landscaping Caulk on Outdoor Retaining wall Steps
I have steps leading up through my retaining wall and a few of the stones that cap the steps have come loose.
Looking at the place where the steps were, there appears to be some kind of caulk-like ...
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0answers
52 views
Light required at bottom of L-shaped stairs or is on landing only sufficient?
I have a L-shaped stairway with connecting landing going from my ground floor to my to-be-finished basement. There are 11 risers going down to the landing, then a 90-degree turn to the left, then 5 ...
3
votes
0answers
101 views
How to install drywall on existing basement stairs?
We are finishing our basement stairs, and I'm struggling with how to drywall the side that is parallel to and tight against the foundation. Should I pull down the stairs, frame the wall, hang drywall, ...
1
vote
1answer
113 views
Bottom stair riser on top of new flooring or gap with trim to cover?
I can't find anything on the internet to help me with this and my husband and I can't agree.
We are installing both new flooring (bamboo) and replacing our carpeted stairs with hardwood. My husband ...
0
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1answer
40 views
Patching Holes in Iron Staircase
My condo building has an outdoor iron staircase that has been developing some penny to quarter sized holes. While the staircase is structurally sound, I’m looking for a solution to patch the holes in ...
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2answers
41 views
Stairways Hand Rail requirements
On what Building & Safety or any building' s Jurisdiction, within the United States, will this hand rail be acceptable and approved for residential usage.
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1answer
54 views
Level of repair for rotting outdoor stairs
I've got wooden stairs leading up to a porch that need repairs. The more I look into it, the more that I see needs to be done, so I'd like advice as to what I should do short term and what I can put ...
3
votes
2answers
128 views
Custom rail for a spiral staircase
I have (foolishly) bought an oak spiral staircase on craigslist. I was able to use the treads OK, but I'm completely unable to fit the rail that came with it. So I need to construct a custom one. I'm ...
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0answers
317 views
Latex or oil paint for interior stairs
Which would be better on interior stairs (they are bare wood right now). Oil or Latex based paint? I should also point out that there are nail heads showing that I can't sink because they are not ...
2
votes
1answer
121 views
Stair Handrail loose, but not due to screws loose
I have stair handrails held on by brackets like the one in the image. The bend in the loop piece has a larger diameter than the diameter of the post on the bracket that it loops around. Also the post ...
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0answers
33 views
Is it possible to use a scaffold ladder as access to loft?
I am looking for affordable, safe access to the 7'x 7' sleeping loft we are soon to build and came across a scaffolding ladder with handrails for under $100.
Is this a crazy idea or a viable option?
...
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1answer
121 views
Reduce stair support in kitchen
I've been living with this box in my kitchen for a year since I've moved in and I hate it. I thought I would be able to reduce it for a better kitchen design.
However now I've removed it I want to ...
6
votes
1answer
913 views
Refinish or replace an old staircase
I have a staircase from which I ripped up the old carpet. I’m trying to figure out how to refinish, seems I have four options:
Refacing with a veneer tread cover and riser. This was my original plan ...
0
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1answer
33 views
Do I need to anchor premade concrete stairs
Do I have to anchor premade concrete steps to the wall? We used to have wooden steps but they were not anchored to the wall.
0
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1answer
49 views
What primer for bare wood stairs with nails showing
I'm painting the stairs going down to my basement that previously had carpet. After removing the carpet, they are like bare, new wood. Unfortunately, the treads were nailed with common nails (not ...
0
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1answer
71 views
How to extend a 2x6 joist to accommodate a hanger board for stairs?
I live in an antique home with 2x6 ceiling joists. The stairs are being rebuilt and the current hanger board for the stringers will not work. So I have attached a picture of the current setup and one ...
2
votes
2answers
297 views
Deck stairs pulling apart and railing wobbly
My deck stairs which are supported by ledger strips keep pulling away the stringer. Last year I used a clamp to squeeze them back together but they pulled away again. The railing also is wobbly. ...
