How To Build An. External Closed Staircase

Transcription

1 How To Build An External Closed Staircase

2 How To Build An External Staircase FOREWORD How to build a staircase explains the basic principles behind the construction and installation of external closed tread staircases. A closed staircase is one where the treads end in the sides (stringers). Closed stringer are strong over for tall stairs. Open stringer staircases are described later in this document. Step 1 Lets get started. Remove vegetation, top soil and roughly level the ground where the staircase is to be installed. A sheet of plywood is helpful to use as a template to mark the stair treads on. These measurement can then be transferred to the timber stringer to be cut. Step 2 Using two treated pine stringers, 290mm x 45mm, transfer the measurements from the plywood template using a bevel to measure angles. Mark one stringer first using an off cut of the tread timber to mark the depth of the treads. Check the stringer for size and position then use as a template to mark and cut the other. Once cut, butt the bottom edges together (as shown) and transfer the measurements across.

3 Step 3 Using a power saw run a series of cuts 12mm deep, up the tread marks. Use a sharp chisel to remove the waste. A drill or router can be used to help with difficult timbers. Be sure to cut neatly as the joins will be exposed. Step 4 Measure the lengths of the treads required (standard stairs are 900mm to 1000mm wide). Cut the number of treads required using the first cut as a template to mark and cut the others. Lie one stringer face up on the ground and stand the two end treads in position. Loosely place the other stringer on the top (make sure the end cuts of the stringers are facing the same way), and temporarily nail with 100mm galvanised steel nails. Step 5 Place the remaining treads in position and nail through the stringer. Turn over (you will need a hand with this depending on the size of your stair), and finish nailing the treads in position. Lift the stair into position and skew nail with 100mm galvanised steel nails. Finally, drill two 12mm holes through the stringer on opposite sides and insert a length of threaded rod and tighten with nuts and washers. The Nuts and washers can be countersunk 12mm if desired. A concrete footing may be required for the base of the stair if it sits on dirt or soft ground. See our footings manual supplied with your downloads. All done happy building!

4 How To Build An External Open Staircase

5 How To Build An Open Tread Staircase. FOREWORD Open tread staircases are used where a very wide stair is required. There is no limit to the length of the staircase that can be made with this design. Open tread staircases are strong for small rises (heights), but without reinforcing beams is not suitable for tall structures. Lets get started! Step 1 Use a sheet of plywood to help mark the staircase. Divide the height by the number of stairs required and mark a level line across the sheet. Next mark the length of the treads (suggested 290mm wide) so that they overlap by 20mm. Once these measurements have been checked we can cut the stringers. Step 2 Transfer the measurements from the plywood to one length of 290mm x 45mm treated pine. Place the two stringers bottom sides together and transfer the marks from one stringer to the other. For strength, cut one stringer into triangles (as shown) and support them with a full unbroken length of timber stringer. Step 3 Install the stringers, lining up the triangle blocks where necessary. Use waterproof glue and 75mm galvanised steel nails to fix the blocks to the stringers. Step 4 Cut the treads so that they sit across the stringers and overlap the stringers by 75mm. For runs above three treads, threaded rod must be added and installed as shown above. For log staircases stringers will have to be cut and placed at maximum 900mm centres to support the treads. Nail the back of the treads down to the stringers with 100mm galvanised steel nails. A concrete footing may be required for soft foundations (see our footings guide for more info).

6 The most common timber for the construction of outdoor staircases is a suitably treated timber, however various hardwoods or other materials may be used if preferred. Happy Building!