Most interior steps are built from either hardwood, composite material or plywood and can be remodeled for more width. Use the screw gun to screw the strip to the front of the step. I believe my finished stair treads will only be roughly 9", which is the same depth as my original basement stairs. Install the risers and treads, working one step at a time from the bottom of the stairs to the top. I just purchased an 80 year old home and it's absolutely gorgeous! Your local codes may differ. Place the strip on the front of the step, flush with the … I should have clarified the more I read my own post the more I thought it didn't make sense. Drill, glue and screw the strip to the end of the step bringing the mitered corners together. Place the new stair riser board on the first riser. Hi all, I looked at a rehab candidate yesterday, an old rowhouse in NE DC. Wider treads mean longer stairs. I would build a nice wooden stair to cover it and seal it really well. You might could add 1/2" and get by. Place 1/2-inch hardwood plugs in the holes with glue and sand them off flush before you sand the hardwood extension. What country is this house in? Using the measurement, miter another strip of hardwood to fit. Apr 13, 2016 - Your stairs can become a lot more than just stairs. Drill three, evenly spaced pilot holes through the … So if you have 12 treads and want them 2" wider, your stair has to become 24" longer. Turn it on and slide it along the length of the step and around the mitered corner to create a rounded edge on the front and side of the step. Typically 4 to 6 feet in diameter, they need little floor space. Stairway Safety 02:14. Set a miter saw blade at 45 degrees. That didn’t affect this project at all, though. (Will post pictures shortly) I was wondering the best way to go about possibly doubling the step and making them wider and steeper i feel this would be much safer than how they look now. Press J to jump to the feed. These clever storage and organization and home improvement projects will take your steps to the next level. It can be done by a DIYer, but it can be a challenge. (Will post pictures shortly) I was wondering the best way to go about possibly doubling the step and making them wider and steeper i feel this would be much safer than how they look now. Sand the hardwood strip with 100-grit sandpaper attached to a hand block. A stair tread should be at least 9 inches deep. Bear in mind, however, that you won't be able to move furniture or other large objects into the basement via spiral stairs. No way around it. I’m looking to do the same thing at my house but we have the stairs going up and the basement stairs in the same row. Cut 2 in × 12 in (5.1 cm × 30.5 cm) boards to the same length and angle as your stringers, but do not cut step notches into them. If you have a cement staircase, you will want … I like the property and will make an offer but I am stumped about how to estimate widening the staircase to the basement. Run a bead of glue down the back of the strip. Following stairway safety procedures keeps workers safe and on schedule. Install a crossbrace directly beneath the joist to provide adequate surface for … Rather, it stopped half-way, with the remaining stairs having no handrail. Narrow treads are not uncommon in old homes. Aug 27, 2013 - How to Make Narrow Stairs Wider. If you needed to add much at all you'd have to tear out the whole stair case and lengthen it, … If you don’t plan to make the top step level with the area where the stairs begin, be sure to account for this gap in your measurement. Just my 2 pennies. It used to be 9", but at some point they changed it. Use construction glue and three finishing nails on each riser, one in the middle and two spaced 1 inch from the top and bottom. June 16, 2019 at 10:39 pm. The sum of two risers and one tread should be between 24 and 25". So, I really can’t give you much of a tutorial on how to paint basement stairs as much as I can just show you how we did it and tell you to go do it. Your local codes may differ. Natalie says. Stair lifts; Half steps / blocks; Stair walkers and bars; Stair Lifts Apply stain as needed to match existing woodwork, followed by two coats of lacquer. Also to be a comfortable stair the risers should be from 6" to 8" and the treads 9-11". The only problem I have is that the basement stairs are only 24" wide and I can't get my washer and dryer down! It's not as difficult as you might think to add up to 1 inch to stair width and depth by adding a hardwood extension. First to clarify: by "wide," I mean the distance hip to hip as you start to go down the stairs, not the depth of each stair … Shaddy has also worked as a newspaper reporter and writer, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine. See how close you can get to that! Use putty or wood filler and a putty knife to fill in holes. What to Know About Cutting Stair Stringers . Navigation for Stairs. I'd say an 18" tread would be awkward, requiring you to "double step" all the way down (put both feet on one step before going down the next step, like a little kid does on normal stairs). Steep stair reconstruction, especially if it involves cutting into the upper floor framing, is best left to experienced framing carpenters. My steps leading to my basement are extremely narrow. For example, a ‘floating’ staircase … If the screw holes bother you on the front of the step, countersink a 1/2-inch hole over each screw hole. How to Paint Basement Stairs. The stair slope is the walking angle of your finished staircase. Width isn't too difficult..pull it apart and move the stringer out and add new treads. ‘Floating’ Staircase. Even more so if you choose to use a simple basement stair handrail that can be seen through. How to Install Attic Stairs. Add 1 inch to the measurement and mark it on the hardwood strip. How to Cut Laminate Flooring Around Stair Spindles, How to Prevent a Rocking Chair From Scratching the Floor, Home Addition Plus: Stair Treads and Riser Requirements, How to Make Shaker Cabinet Doors From Old Flat Fronts, Fastest and Easiest Way to Remove Veneer Strips From Furniture. Learn all you need to know about maintenance, buying guides, and general household advice with Think Tank Home. More Stair How To & DIY in this topic. There are a set of "minimum" and "maximum" stair parameters that you must meet. Other wise you may end up hitting your head. For example, if you are building stairs to go up to a deck, and you measure 3 feet (0.91 m) from the ground to the top of the deck, then this is the total rise. It’s also called the “rise and run” of the stairs. Don't know how much room you have at top or bottom, but the ideal stair would be less than 7 to 7 1/2" rise, and an 11" run (which means a 12" tread with a 1" nosing). My steps leading to my basement are extremely narrow. Spiral stairs provide contemporary style and usually take up less room than other staircase designs. Replacing basement stairs isn't as difficult as you may think. The price of exterior stairs depends on the project size and material you choose. Divide the height the stairs reach by 7 ½, the recommended height of risers in inches. Browse 174 Basement Stairs on Houzz Whether you want inspiration for planning basement stairs or are building designer basement stairs from scratch, Houzz has 174 pictures from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Amanda George Interior Design and Kae Rosenberg Design. Drill holes through the hardwood, 6 inches apart and centered down the length of the strip using a cordless drill and a 3/16-inch drill bit. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. Good luck Advice for widening my basement stairs? Basement Stairs. Natalie says. While it looks somewhat incomplete, a half-open basement stair like this brings an air of openness. I would send pictures but I am on vacation. "Per R311.62 of the IRC code book ,A minimum 3 footby 3 foot landing will be provided at top & bottom of stairs." This will be super important when you go to sell your house, as something like this might just (1) cost you a sale, and/or (2) get you fined by the city. I just purchased an 80 year old home and it's absolutely gorgeous! Yes, our basement stairs are right underneath our main stairs. Heating equipment can be dangerous if placed in a home’s basement. That didn’t affect this project at all, though. The average cost of stair decals averages $22-$45 for a complete set. Yes, our basement stairs are right underneath our main stairs. These clever storage and organization and home improvement projects will take your steps to the next level. While the basement stair handrail is there, it doesn’t reach the floor. To personalize wood stairs, consider adding stencils 6. You will have to dril holes in that step and insert rebar when you form it up if you want it to hold. Typically 4 to 6 feet in diameter, they need little floor space. A stair tread should be at least 9 inches deep. Learn all you need to know about maintenance, buying guides, and general household advice with Think Tank Home. Select stairs from the build menu and hover over the different styles to select the color palate for each style. Where I live I think 7" is code so I'd check that and be sure it doesn't become a liability issue. Are there walls to either side of the stairs? Most interior steps are built from either hardwood, composite material or plywood and can be remodeled for more width. Always wear safety glasses when cutting or working with wood to prevent eye injury. Following stairway safety procedures keeps workers safe and on schedule. Basement stairs are therefore significantly cheaper to build than the main house stairs, estimated at between $900 and $1500. A stair’s slope determines how easy or comfortable it is to walk up or down the staircase. Once selected, just move the staircase around until it's in the correct location and click to place. The stairs is only about 30" to start. See more ideas about stairs, staircase, staircase makeover. I once saw a staircase from a 1700's log home where the stairs were designed in a "zig-zag" pattern. So for instance if I am going up my steps I may hit my toes on the next one and my heel hangs off the back. Commercial stairs use 11", which I personally find to be the most comfortable. Any advice would be great! © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. When I meant narrow I meant the depth of them as in when I step my foot would hang over the edge they are probably only 10 inches wide. This guy has a great youtube channel where he goes over pretty much everything you need to know about building and installing stairs... Be careful or you might find you need to really watch your head. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Hey guys, I am working on a home improvement project. I was wondering if I could double the step? Set the depth of cut on the router at 1/2 inch. Most new(er) building codes specify minimum tread depth to be 10". Even the stupid code officials will recognize averages in the application of a code requirement for a space. If you can't get the router into the corners, use a medium gauge file to round the edges where the router won't reach. Whether the steps are indoors or outdoors, these 3 products listed below can help to make any set of steps safer. Drive the screw down into the countersink. If you're looking for a Do-It-Yourself project we'll take you thru the job step-by-step. Advice for widening my basement stairs? There is a process for making new stairs, and it isn't super easy. Here are some basic guidelines for calculating stair slope: Having trouble trying to conceptualize the project! If yes, then make sure you know if either is load bearing and don't expand in that direction. Place the router on the front of the step. Cost to Build Exterior Stairs. for a common 7/11 stair, the sum of two risers and one tread is 25" (7+7+11=25). Place the strip on the front of the step, flush with the top of the step with the mitered end overhanging the appropriate end of the step. It worked! Shaddy began publishing in various magazines in 1992, and published a novel, “Dark Canyon,” in 2008. Modern staircases look very unconventional. Stairs. Spiral stairs provide contemporary style and usually take up less room than other staircase designs. More Stair Videos in this topic. Height isn't an issue there is a huge gap. The only problem I have is that the basement stairs are only 24" wide and I can't get my washer and dryer down! No easy way. When remodeling a basement, the staircase is one of the most difficult construction jobs. Miter the end off the hardwood strip using the long point of the miter as the mark. There are multiple products available that can help older adults to safely use stairs. June 16, 2019 at 10:39 pm. Adding more than that could cause the stair tread to become unstable. I know this is unpopular advice, but... what you are proposing absolutely requires a building permit, and the new stairs must comply to local building codes. Run a bead of glue down the back of the strip. Reply. I screwed some 2X10s on the face of the stairs and under both stringers. Many estimates place the cost of installing staircases at between $1000 and $3200 or a national average of $2020, but there are estimates as low as $400 for DIY and as high as $5000 for a professional job. Basement (finished) stairs: $920 - $2,880: Main staircase: $2,400 - $4,000: Attic stairs: $500 - $900: If you don’t need a full-blown installation, repairing stairs or railings costs $310 to $1,000. Moved the boiler to the back of the basement and on to a concrete platform using an automotive engine lift. When remodeling a basement, the staircase is one of the most difficult construction jobs. Older, or poorly designed, steps can be too narrow, making them uncomfortable and unsafe to use. Are there walls to either side of the stairs? Specializing in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork, Wade Shaddy has worked in homebuilding since 1972. Overview How To & DIY Ideas & Inspiration Video Stair How To & DIY. Stairway Safety 02:14. Width isn't too difficult..pull it apart … New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Ain't happening. Having trouble trying to conceptualize the project! I.e. If you just go wider with the treads and the boards hang over, you could hang your toes as you go up from one to another. Reply. Mark the stringers for the stairs by using three 2-by-12 boards using a framing square. Install treads flush against the … Trim boards can give your stairs a little more class by covering up the ends of the risers and treads. Measure the length of the step. Hey guys, I am working on a home improvement project. Install the riser then the tread on each step. The rise and … Changing the angle will mean new stringers and treads, but make sure fix the slope of the ceiling above the steps if there is one. I would be more concerned with the stair width, especially if the basement will be used with bedrooms or is a living space. Bear in mind, however, that you won't be able to move furniture or other large objects into the basement via spiral stairs. If you use the recommended 10-inch treads, calculate how many steps you need for a staircase slope of 34 to 37 degrees. Measure the height of the area where you will install the stairs. https://todayshomeowner.com/video/dealing-with-basement-stairs Basement Stairs. It seems a bit high now but it's a picture. Measure from the long point of the miter to the end of the step. See more ideas about stairs, staircase, staircase makeover. Apr 13, 2016 - Your stairs can become a lot more than just stairs. Replacing basement stairs isn't as difficult as you may think. Install a Crossbrace. If you want wider stairs, select the placed stairs and grab the side arrow and pull out or to the desired width. Use as much force as you can to get it tight and securely bonded to the front of the step. I will start off by saying that these stairs … Stair Videos. There are many ways to decide on the best slope for your staircase design. Place 3 1/2-inch screws in the holes. If yes, then make sure you know if either is load bearing and don't expand in that direction. If you're looking for a Do-It-Yourself project we'll take you thru the job step-by-step. But I looked at my copy of the IRC and it reads a little different. Place the cut lumber over the ends of your stairs, and fix into place with 2.5 in (6.4 cm) screws. Maximum riser height ("steep") for residential stairs is 7.75" (4" minimum). I had an existing basement stair last year in a 1906 home that was confined at top an bottom, and only had about a 9.5" tread. Slid the 800 pounds down the stairs with a block and tackle on a gantry braced at the top of the stairs. Stair Assistance For The Elderly. This is also called the total rise. I’m looking to do the same thing at my house but we have the stairs going up and the basement stairs in the same row. To save money, you can have the stairs built parallel to the ceiling joists to reduce installation time and materials. Having to widening it out at the end for just to get a 28" door along with some framing to support it. Honestly it was a pretty easy project for how much better it makes the space look. Install a 3/8-inch bullnose bit in a router. Older, or poorly designed, steps can be too narrow, making them uncomfortable and unsafe to use.