Stair treads

[cedarglen]

Wagner's book on framing states "The treads on a closed riser staircase must have a nosing between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inches.

1. I assume that nosing refers to the distance the tread overhangs the riser right?
2. Is this a code compliance thing, or just so that it looks good?
3. I will be carpeting my stairs, it seems like no overhang would be better.

Also they state that I should use 1x8 risers, there is no problem with using my 2x8 scraps is there?

thank you,
Chuck

[MountainDon]

1. correct

2. IRC2003 requires that range. It also calls for a radius of curvature of the leading edge no greater than 9/16"
2b. A nosing is not required IF the tread depth is a minimum of 11 inches

3. I don't see where the IRC2003 addresses the issue of carpet or anything.


  I don't see any problem in using larger sized material.   

[PEG688]

Wagner's book on framing states "The treads on a closed riser staircase must have a nosing between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inches.

1. I assume that nosing refers to the distance the tread overhangs the riser right?


2. Is this a code compliance thing, or just so that it looks good?


3. I will be carpeting my stairs, it seems like no overhang would be better.



#4: Also they state that I should use 1x8 risers, there is no problem with using my 2x8 scraps is there?

#1: Yes as Mtn D said, nosing = overhang of tread beyond riser.

#2:  Yes it's code. And yes it looks good on a open / non carpeted stair , BUT It also functions as a place to wrap that carpet around and attach it nice and tight to the wood . Provides the right "action" of not tripping you up when your heel would , without the overhang , snag that straight riser area . So it a form follows function thing.

#3: See note #2 it covers the "why" of nosing overhang.

#4:  You'll create a few issues with a 2x8 Riser , one being your top tread , depending on how you attach the horses / carriages will POSSIBLY need to compensate for that thicker riser stock , which in turn may effect how you cut your horses , if they aren't already cut.

The other issue will be the size fastener you'll be forced to use to attach them , which in turn may split the stair jacks / horses , the tips of those tend to crack even with a 8 penny nail so driving a 16d into those cross grained tips / ends will exacerbate that tendency to split.

You could per bore and use screws , you should glue the parts as you go , treads and risers , I also back nail and glue , IF possible , from the back side of the riser into the back edge of the treads.

Use galv. nail as fasteners as well , they hold better . Screws are better yet , less chance of squeaks. 

[cedarglen]

Thanks for the great replys telling me to do it like the book says. Below is a picture of my progress on my 20x32 cabin based on John's Universal 2 story plans. For those who are interested this is 29 days of labor over the course of 1 year just me and my dad laboring.

[glenn kangiser]

Good progress for that amount of time.

[Okie_Bob]

Hey Cedarglen, I have to ditto what Glenn said above me. You guys are fast!!!!
I do have a request of not only you but, everyone else that is posting.....could you please put your location on your
profile so it shows when you post?  I think everyone wants to know what is going on in other areas of the country
and how things differ. No need to be real specific, just something like .... East Texas or the People's Republic of California....we'll be able to figure it out from that!
Okie Bob....course some of us do it in our names!

[glenn kangiser]

I live in the glen, BoB.

[Okie_Bob]

And I thougt Trogolites lived in holes in the ground?? Now you tell me they live in glens?
I'm even more confused?
Okie Bob

[cedarglen]

I'm building in Cedar Glen, a small mountain community around Lake Arrowhead, California. It is an hour and a half drive from my home.

Chuck

[cedarglen]

One more question, my staris are basically 3' feet wide with 6' of stringer to a turn around platform and then 6' more stringer to the 2nd floor. Do I need three stringers in each flight or will two do the job? (One on each edge and one down the middle, or just the edges?)

Thanks for the help, I build them tomorrow.

Chuck

[MountainDon]

Either I'm blind or looking in all the wrong sections. I can't find reference to the number of stringers in the IRC2003, available from this link HERE.

Chapter 3, section R311.5 covers stairways.

Maybe someone like PEG will drop by?

First, I'd check with the local building inspectors, although if the plans have been run through a permit dept. I'd think the specs for the stairs should have been marked and the number of stringers would be one of those details.

For what it's worth I think there are a lot of "depends" on this. I believe having filled risers strengthens the stair tread and may be a deciding factor on the number of stringers required. On an open riser stair, like for exterior porch stairs, I would not want to span 3 feet with even a 2Xtread and call it safe.  For that I'd want at least three stringers, some jurisdictions call for stringers like that to be no more than 12 inches apart. WA state I believe.

So, sorry but I'm not a big help.

[PEG688]

Mtn D is right again here in The Peoples Republic of Washington we need to stay  at or under 12" OC on stair jacks. I would think things in The Peoples Republic of Californicator would be the same.

If your not getting inspected 3 jacks equaly spaced with a 5/4 or thicker tread will be fine / last  along time.

They are concerned with heavy loads going up and down stairs , say two men and a boy humping a Sub-Zero brand refer , which can weight about 700 lbs , so they are worried about that sort of loading of the stairs , hence the 12" OC jacks. Possible but not likely , but like the Simpson stuff it's easier to "one size fits all " , than to be specfic about things.

G/L , post some photos when your done, we like photos.

PEG

[glenn kangiser]

Reminds me of Mini-Me trying to get a room with the laser. 

I know hmm hmm hmm

[cedarglen]

Thanks for great advice guys, the staris went up easily. I was getting my shear panels and roof sheathing inspeced today so I asked the inspector about the stringer spacing, he said that he does not desgin stairs or decide if they will hold any weight, his job is only to be sure that the treads are at least 9", the risers are no more than 8", they are at least 36" wide, etc. So he let me build them with three stringers.

Chuck

[MountainDon]

.....not decide if they will hold any weight, his job is only to be sure that the treads are at least 9", the risers are no more than 8", they are at least 36" wide, etc.

[glenn kangiser]

I keep telling you guys -- the code is not a safety thing.  It is designed to get you on the tax rolls and insure that you buy corporate produced materials.  You did the required thing -- you paid for the permits -- maybe school fees --- safety, as shown here, is really not a factor.  You could have built the stringers of Balsa wood and passed his nominal inspection.

I love it when I am once again -- proven right.