How Do I Lay Out Stairs?
Building a staircase, whether in new construction or a remodeling project, requires careful calculations. The local building codes have specific requirements and measures that must be followed or the building inspector may reject the work. Determining the layout of the stairs is not as hard as it seems; careful measurements and an online calculator provide the information needed to incorporate a staircase in your building plan. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure from the top of the stairs to the lower floor. Write down this measurement.
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Insert the height of the stairs in feet and inches into the online calculator. Enter the data into the calculator to find the height, or rise, of each step. Depending on the calculator, you may have to click a button like "Calculate" or "Enter."
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Adjust the depth of the stair treads, or the "run," to fit the length of the stairs. For example, a calculator may automatically use an 11-inch run, providing a staircase that is 12 feet 10 inches long and 8 1/2 feet tall. However, there may not be room for the mandatory 3-foot clearance in front of the bottom step. By adjusting the run to 10 inches, the calculator shows the staircase at 11 feet 8 inches.
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Indicate the height, length and width of the stairs on your building plans, incorporating the 3-foot clearance in front of the bottom step.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult with the local building permits office to determine the height and depth minimums and maximums for stairs.
The minimum width of a staircase is 36 inches.
If incorporating a landing, the minimum size is 36-by-36 inches. Calculate from the landing to the floor, then from the upper floor to the landing to determine the rise and run of the steps. Adjust the landing height, if possible, to keep the steps at the same measure throughout.
Handrails are necessary for safety. Even two steps, if open on one or both sides, should have a handrail.
Use caution when measuring the height of the stairs.
Out-of-code stairs are not "grandfathered" in a renovation. All new and remodeled construction must meet the latest building codes.
Do not build or remodel without building permits. The inspector will make you remove all nonpermitted construction.
References
Resources
- Popular Mechanics; How to Build Your Own Stairs in 3 Easy Steps; Joseph Truini; September 2007
- Staircraft: Typical Stairway Configurations
- "Building Stairs (For Pros by Pros)"; Andy Engel; 2007
- "Smart Guide: Stairs & Railings"; Editors of Creative Homeowner; 2008
- "How to Design & Build Your Own House"; Lupe DiDonno, et al.; 1980
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
