how to measure for stair risers

Step 2 – Measure Each Stair Tread and Riser. Divide the height of the rise on the chosen precut stringer by the height needed for the stairs to determine the number of risers the precut stringer needs to have to fit your deck. Mr. Since the Tread Depth [B] is a constant, when using the Automatic Stair Calculator, the Total Run [G] will vary when you toggle between the two mount options. If the rise is 42 inches (110 cm) (after subtracting 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) for headroom) and you want larger stairs, for example, divide 42 by 6. A layout on stringer would have 16 risers, so don't forget on your bottom step to subtract the tread thickness (if using 2x12, you would subtract 1 1/2" from first riser, making it 5 1/2" instead of 7"). Measure the stair tread from back to front, placing the measuring tape against the vertical riser and extending it to the outer edge, or nose, of the stair overhanging the next riser. Stair Tread and Riser Measuring and Dimension Guide The Stair Tread and Riser Dimension Guide is designed to assist with specifying and ordering Artistic Finishes staircase accessories. Rise Length = Vertical distance between the stair and next stair. For instance, if the run is 10 inches, square 10 by multiplying it by itself to get 100. The tread is the horizontal surface of the step and the riser is the vertical surface of the next step above. Stairs and Landings - Landings are used to break up runs of stairs. Leave Stair Calculator and return to Handy NYC based in New York City, New York. The stringer length is the tip-to-tip length of the cut stringer. Stair Calculations by Direct Layout on the Stringer. ", "Easy-to-understand instructions, example pictures. I had a limited space for stairs, which required some serious planing. When determining the overall length, measure the horizontal distance form the edge of the nosing on the first tread at the bottom of the staircase to the edge of the nosing on the floor/landing at the top … Dividing 25 by 7 ¾ and rounding up will determine the number of risers in the stair: 25 ÷ 7.75 = 3.23 = 4 risers Measure Your Stairs. From this point, you can measure the exact stair height and determine the stringer and skirt length. If dividing the height to the second floor by your preferred height for the riser does not give you a whole number, round your calculation up if the decimal is larger than 0.5 or down if the decimal is smaller than 0.4. If the Stinger Mount Type is Flush, then the number of risers is the same as the number of steps. For instance, if the total rise is 114 inches (290 cm), subtract 6 feet (1.8 m), which is 72 inches (180 cm), to account for the headroom. Measure height and width of all stairs. A common tool used to speed up the layout of a stair stringer will automatically set the correct stair angle. Stringer Length - the stringer length calculation is the minimum length of 2x12 material that is required to layout and cut the stringer. Measurements between 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) and 1 inch (2.54 cm) are generally considered sturdy enough to support weight, but will not be so thick that they protrude too much onto the tread of … Minimum Head Height clearance is 78 inches. ", building a staircase. References You'll also want to determine where the stairs have to be placed, then measure out a depth for each stair such that a person can safely walk up and down the flight without falling. This is the same as the total width of the staircase as well. Using graphing paper, draw a sketch of the staircase while marking the rise, run, number of steps, width, and length. Calculate the Total Number of Steps, treads, or Risers. 5. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality. You get 6.7 risers, so you'll need to round up to seven risers for your stairs. Now … If this applies to your staircase, please fill out either our open-stringer stair or closed-stringer stair measurement worksheet. Why is a Stair Stringer Important? Using a tape measure determine the rise by measuring from the basement floor to the landing, where the top of the stairs will be. For convenience and flexibility, this stair stringer calculator comes in two forms, the I will use it to teach students how it is done! Add 0.2 inch for safety as stairs are not always straight. Your staircase will have 7 stairs. Last Updated: August 24, 2020 We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Use the stair tread template tool to measure your current treads and risers. To simplify the process, we’ve created this deck stair calculator to help you determine the correct measurements needed to carry out your project. Total Stair Rise – Height between the two landings. Rise, Run and Tread Depth for Rectangular Treads Stringer - The stringer is the structural part of a set of stairs. Step 1; Step 2; Step 3; Step 4; Materials List : How to Use the EZ Stair Calculator. That way, once it's time to build, you can decrease your chances of making mistakes. Both nosing and riser are discussed below. Now I can decide, "Good overall info on making stairs. A uniform flight of stairs provides a safety factor. Using a few (modifiable) default settings, the automatic calculator will compute all of the other factors, including the Total Run [G]. Total Stair Rise – Height between the two landings. It can also be useful for cutting the angle on the top of the stair rail pickets. It is equal to the number of treads multiplied by the typical Tread Depth [B]. Assign each graphing paper square a specific measurement so you can refer to the sketch while planning and building your steps. Table 9.8.4.1. First, you need to add your measurement for the depth of a tread to that of the height of a riser. Provides a step by step display and a print out option showing the finished stringer with cut dimensions and a materials list. This will be the number of individual risers (steps) your stringer will need to take you to the top floor. Responding to the movement of the human body, the sizes and relationships of stair risers and treads are regulated to make vertical motion safe and easy. The Stringer Mount Type refers to how the stringer will be attached to the upper landing or deck frame. Determine the overall height of the stairs. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Using a tape measure, make measurements of the total height of the space you want to make stairs from the bottom to the top. Risers - the Step Height [F] is the typical height of each step. For flights between landings the maximum number of riser should be: Utility stairs – 16 risers. Make stair measurements twice and double check your math before cutting any materials. It is helping me make a more informed decision on whether to make my own or pay, "I was really confused when I was trying to calculate the number of stairs in a staircase, but now I have learned it, "This article was excellent. Then, find the square root of 149, which is 12.206, meaning the length of each stringer will be 12.2 inches. At this time go ahead and measure the required length of the stairs. Step 2 – Measure the overall length. A stair riser is the back, vertical part of a step. ", "It saved me loads of money by being able enough to do this job myself, a big thank you! But once you learn the basics of making measurements, planning new stairs is not a difficult project. *Account for the subtraction of the thickness of your tread (Usually 1”) from the bottom of your stringer and add the same to the top. Subtract 6-7 feet from the total rise to account for headroom, then divide that number by 6 or 7 inches to get the total number of stairs you’ll need to build. If your staircase will have 6 steps and your run is 10 inches (25 cm), for example, the total run is 60 inches (150 cm). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Measure-for-Stairs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-for-Stairs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Measure-for-Stairs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1390343-v4-728px-Measure-for-Stairs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"