Questions tagged [stairs]
The stairs tag has no usage guidance.
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1answer
33 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
39 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
34 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
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2answers
100 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
22 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
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1answer
86 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
27 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?
...
-1
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1answer
98 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
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1answer
695 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 ...
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1answer
32 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.
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1answer
28 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 ...
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1answer
31 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
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2answers
73 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. ...
3
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1answer
54 views
What lumber should be used for indoor stair stringers?
I have seen some books say to use laminated 1.5" plywood to build the stringers because they do not warp. Others say 2x12 stock works but I do not want to deal with warping over time.
So, what do you ...
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2answers
46 views
What is the most common stair tread depth and stair nosing length?
I am having my stairs rebuilt and was wondering what the most common stair nosing length is. I have seen code requires nosing overhang be no more than 1.25". Is 1.25" common? Or is 1" more common?
...
2
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2answers
58 views
Stringer separating from deck stairs
I’ve got a not quite 2 yr old deck installed by our builder. We have a problem with the stringers pulling away from the treads and risers. We first started noticing it last year, so I added some 3.5” ...
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2answers
3k views
How do I repair my stair bannister?
My stairs bannister are made of small wood posts nailed to the ramp. The whole thing have always been quite fragile. After 10 years, a couple posts came loose and most show a gap between the posts and ...
2
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1answer
96 views
How to cut floor joist for stairway headroom?
I live in an antique cape and we are having the stairs to the 2nd floor rebuilt so we will need more headroom. There is a floor joist that will need to be cut to make that possible.
I'm trying to ...
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1answer
49 views
How to measure total stair rise with uneven floor?
My house is antique and I would like the stairs rebuilt because they are too steep. I know the first thing to make the stringers is calculate the total rise. But my problem is the floor where the ...
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2answers
71 views
Running 12V Wire Behind Walls for a LED Stair Light?
I'm interested in lighting a stairwell in my house using a red LED strip.
I have a nearby AC outlet and plan on using a typical 12V power supply from the AC outlet. I know that class 2 wire is ...
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0answers
101 views
Filling gaps between staircase and plaster wall
I purchased a home that was a two family converted to single. Brick veneer on the outside and block inside. I have been assured by two structural engineers that I have no foundational issues. I have a ...
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1answer
40 views
Fixing void on face of concrete steps
My front steps are crumbling on the top. I wondered what I could do to fix this? Thanks in advance all!
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2answers
40 views
Convert concrete stairs to limestone stairs
I have a narrow concrete stair front door like so:
I want to make it larger and nicer like this
It doesn't need to be limestone but any outdoor stones/tiles is fine.
Some questions:
Can I make it "...
3
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1answer
47 views
Storage space under stairs
I am looking to finish the area under the stairs. There are two diagonal beams under the landing step. Can these be removed or do they contribute to the integrety of the staircase?
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2answers
215 views
Can I cut a piece of newel post base sticking out of slanted ceiling?
We have recently bought our new house. It has two floors, and in the living room there is a small section of slanted ceiling below the staircase. In that section, there is a square piece that sticks ...
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3answers
38 views
Stair thread different color from old runner carpet
I removed my old stair runner and now the outside looks different from inside.
You can see that from the blue arrow:
It is hard to see with a few steps but if you look 10 steps up, it's very obvious ...
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0answers
74 views
Removing/cutting beam beneath half-landing stairs
I have half-landing stairs which go up 7 steps, around a flat bit, then up another 7 steps. The second portion of the steps is at the back of one of the downstairs rooms, and is currently boxed-in, ...
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1answer
66 views
How Are My Stair Openings Framed (60s side-split)
I'm looking to run some electrical & CAT5 in my place as well as potentially some larger projects such as removing some partition walls. As a precursor to this I decided to model my house in ...
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1answer
117 views
How do you install a floating floor on stairs?
I purchased a vinyl plank flooring to put in my basement and replace the old carpet down there. I would like to put this flooring on the stairs - but it is a floating floor. How can I keep it in place?...
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2answers
534 views
Can I cut stringers on a closed stringer staircase without affecting the structural integrity?
My current stairs are built inside the stringers, I want to cut the stringers as shown in the picture on both sides in order to lay treads and have them overhang. Can I do this? Or will it weaken the ...
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2answers
96 views
if your rise is 7.25“ and your tread is 11.5” but you also have a 3" nosing is this legal
If the rise is 7.25" and the tread is 11.5" and the nosing is 3", is this legal
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1answer
47 views
Stair tread partial repair
Apologies, but I currently do not have pictures.
The stairwell in my house is carpeted, but has visible hardwood for any tread that overhangs wider than the stairwell hallway. Think bottom few ...
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1answer
886 views
Can I really use construction adhesive to attach hardwood stair treads and risers?
I've been considering removing the carpet from my stairs, and installing hardwood flooring instead. While preparing for this project, I started watching YouTube videos.
A lot of the videos show ...
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1answer
57 views
How to make a 19' bannister sturdy?
There's still about a foot of play in the middle.
I put wood glue and finish nails in the loose spindles but very little improvement made. Both newell post are solid.
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1answer
41 views
Can I make a post and baluster railing terminate into a wall?
I have a railing that starts at the first floor with a post, goes up the stairs with balusters and ends with another post. But space is extremely limited on that 2nd floor landing and the post ...
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1answer
74 views
Should this elevated door have trim/casing at the bottom?
This door separates a sunken rec room from a den. It has always struck me as odd that there is trim/casing along the bottom. Is there a better way of handling the trim around the sides, but with no ...
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1answer
63 views
Should I use Baltic Birch for stairs?
My indoor basement stair treads are currently made of 5/8 OSB nailed to the stringers.
I plan to replace them with new glue+screw plywood.
I'm considering 3/4 Baltic Birch ply for this because of ...
0
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1answer
287 views
Installing Pre-Finished Hardwood on Stairs - How to Avoid Shortening Tread Length
The Problem
I am in the process of installing a pre-finished hardwood floor. As part of the install, I purchased a bunch of stair nosing with the intent of installing the hardwood on my stairs as ...
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1answer
810 views
What screw length for screwing down stair treads into stringers?
My stairs are old and squeak and I would like to screw them down and plug the holes. My question is what length screw should I go with? They are about an inch thick. The stringers are old as it's ...
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1answer
260 views
How to attach newel post to stringer below the tread?
I need to install a new newel post at the top of my stairs but there is not room on the landing for a post, it will have to mount from the tread of the top step.
My plan is to notch out the post at ...
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votes
1answer
90 views
Are these studs supporting the stairs?
Planning on building a cupboard under the stairs i was going to leave this section but the plasterboard was damp (Prob from cats water bowl spilling or something). So i thought i may as well make use ...
3
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1answer
84 views
Suggestions for fixing bottom of concrete step
Part of the bottom of the side of my concrete step is crumbling away and I'm looking for advice on a reasonably quick and easy fix as I'm worried critters will get in there (if they aren't already). ...
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0answers
49 views
Is Rebar needed between walls when pouring concrete stairs.
I am pouring 11 steps down the side of my home to a basement entrance.
The home side is 8 inches of poured concrete the other is 8 x 8 x 16 blocks i just laid.
i have the stairs formed and have wire ...
0
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1answer
110 views
How to remove brick step
I want to remove this bricks and mortar step. I have a brick bolster and hammer. Will that do the job? It looks like it isn't so well "stuck" at the bottom. Should I start there and see if the whole ...
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2answers
123 views
Handrail in center of stairs?
I’m finishing up a deck build.
Steps from lower deck to upper deck are 60 inches wide with 7” rise per step. Total rise is 28”
I wonder if is adequate to place a single hand rail in the center of ...
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1answer
809 views
Converting closed tread stairs to open tread stairs
hopefully I'm using the right term. It might be called closed stringer stairs to open stringer (on one side). Please correct me so that I know the correct term for this. I also refer to it as "cut-...
2
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1answer
61 views
Carport steps too long
The steps in the picture below are too long lengthwise for me to be able to park full sized pickup truck very easily. The steps touch the corner of the truck when parked under there. I was wondering ...
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1answer
45 views
Ledger for Exterior Stairs - Attach to Existing Wood or Remove and Add Ledger
I'm adding steps to the exterior of my house. I know the steps need to be attached to a ledger. However, I cannot decide what the white piece of wood that is already there:
Is it a ledger without the ...
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0answers
74 views
What is the role of this telescopic pole-looking item in the ceiling?
I've recently viewed a property and done a first pass at the work that will need doing. But, I noticed this in the ceiling of the stairwell and I'm not entirely sure of a few things:
What exactly is ...
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0answers
53 views
Proper Install of Iron Handrail outside
I have a question installing a iron handrail for some stairs outside of my house. I don't have a wide enough walk way to surface mount the handrail to the level surface of the stairs and walk way so I ...
