Questions tagged [stairs]
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294
questions
2
votes
1answer
37 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
91 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
45 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" ...
0
votes
2answers
47 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
votes
1answer
78 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
44 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
vote
2answers
60 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
44 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
72 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
votes
1answer
41 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
71 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
votes
2answers
76 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
57 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
votes
4answers
103 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
0
votes
2answers
44 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
votes
2answers
89 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
46 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
votes
1answer
49 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
56 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
votes
2answers
84 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
65 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
50 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
51 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 and flush against the foundation. Should I pull down the stairs, frame the wall, hang drywall, ...
1
vote
1answer
66 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
votes
1answer
38 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
40 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.
1
vote
1answer
47 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
121 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
184 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
105 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
32 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
votes
1answer
108 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
832 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
votes
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
votes
1answer
45 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
votes
1answer
65 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
283 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
votes
1answer
74 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
89 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
votes
2answers
146 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” ...
14
votes
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
votes
1answer
489 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
88 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
246 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
229 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
49 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!
1
vote
2answers
62 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
votes
1answer
68 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?
