How to Properly Plan Stairs

How to Properly Plan Stairs | This Old House

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4 жыл бұрын

Tommy shows Kevin how to figure out how many risers are needed for stairs going from one section of the house to another.
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With seven different levels, midcentury modern homes have no shortage of stairs.
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How to Properly Plan Stairs | This Old House
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Пікірлер: 164

@urviewingpleasure 4 жыл бұрын

I've always wanted too see how Tom did steps, he's a true Craftsmen.

@mpybals8002 7 ай бұрын

The rise is 7.69 or 7 11/16 and the run is 9 1/2. The height is 69 1/4 so you would divide that number 69.25 by 9 which gives you the 7.69 rise or 7 11/16. The run is 9 1/2 so you times 9.5 x 8 because you always have one less run. The total run length is 76. Cut off whatever you are using for stair treads off the bottom of stringer. For instance if you are using a one inch thick stair tread cut one inch off bottom making the first rise 6 11/16 tall. The top rise will need to be held down 8 11/16. Lastly cut off the run of the top step for whatever you are using on the face of the rise treads. For example if you are using 3/4 plywood the top run on the stringer needs to be 9 1/2 minus 3/4 which gives you the top tread run of 8 3/4.

@mrj-charles6383 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I like the tip on how to use the square to get even measurements all the way across.

@jenyminor 3 жыл бұрын

I love this old house Page! These Guys are the best of the best!

@rhodakozak1205 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for making this video! We just bought our first house and were wondering why we felt unsteady using the stairs; the measurements are wrong! So now, we know what the measurements are supposed to be, so we can plan for new stairs! Having the correct measurements and how to calculate them is a game changer!

@GotWire 4 жыл бұрын

A master at work. That would take me probably about 100 tries to get done right as I've never done it before haha

@davem3789 4 жыл бұрын

👍👍 for the c-clamping square to straight edge idea. I’m going to use that on my next set of stairs. Thanks

@garmar704 4 жыл бұрын

Sometimes I have dreams that I'm Tom Silva and there's no challenge that cannot be conquered. Then I wake up and I'm just me.

@robbynenriquez 4 жыл бұрын

Tom S is the MacGyver of TOH and my hero. I do wish he had laid out the math a little more for us.

@cillyede 4 жыл бұрын

Good as always. Hello from Germany.

@123Goldhunter11 2 жыл бұрын

Good stuff per usual. Thanks.

@danielhowald8855 4 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year

@louisgholland709 3 жыл бұрын

Wish they had this old house Vocational programs in Urban Community's kids will respect whatever they build with their own Hand's.

@mostafasaberian3851 Жыл бұрын

Really l learning from you thanks

@many4173 3 жыл бұрын

Your a rock star !

@jima4286 4 жыл бұрын

Need to mention that most building codes have head height clearance rules for stairs, more likely a problem in interior.

@fidelquintero590 4 жыл бұрын

I do stairs just like that the difference is that they give us the whole material cut already so we always have to adjust the stringers a little. It would be nice if they fit perfectly like how it did for this stair master

@rglce25 4 жыл бұрын

There's a lot more to it than just that

@tuesfeo1 2 жыл бұрын

Og seems like a nice guy to work with 💪🏾

@bestshittyphotographer 5 ай бұрын

That track saw is the secret weapon!

@JD_Spencer Жыл бұрын

Thx for the video but there wasnt enough on the calc part. Have to know how to calculate rise and run to build atairs.

@montanaspring7176 4 жыл бұрын

im clueless, Tommy FTW!

@richardmckrell4899 Ай бұрын

Tom ran into a little problem on these stairs as a 9 1/2' tread is the minimum tread allowed. He probably has an issue with them sticking out in the hall but I'd make them closer to 10". 2r + t = 25 would give you 9 5/8".

@scotttovey 4 жыл бұрын

To calculate the number of steps, take the total height which in this case is 69.25, and divide by a number of steps you think will be needed. If the result is over 8 inches the result is a bad number of steps. If the result is in between 7 and 8 inches, the result is a good number of steps. If the result is under 7 inches, the result is a bad number of steps. Total Total Riser height Steps Height 69.25 / 8 = 8 11/16 bad 69.25 / 9 = 7 11/16 good 69.25 / 10 = 6 15/16 bad To calculate the step length, add the riser height to twice the step length. The result should be between 26 and 27 inches. Riser Tread Tread Height Length Length Total 7 11/16 + 9 + 9 = 25 25/36 bad 7 11/16 + 9 1/2 + 9 1/2 = 26 25/36 good 7 11/16 + 10 + 10 = 27 25/36 bad

@jonnboimuhfucka 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@scotttovey 4 жыл бұрын

@@jonnboimuhfucka Your Welcome! 😎👍

@DSGLABEL 4 жыл бұрын

Steps are some intimidating.

@72strand 4 жыл бұрын

SH (step height) is 170 till 180 mm (6.7 inches to 7.0 inches) But the step depth is the magic number 620 mm (24.4 inches) in a formula. That is 2SH+1SD = 24.4" Now take Height 6.7" times 2 = 13.4" + X = 24.4" so X is 24.4 - 13.4 = 11" Test this (2x) SH = 6.7" + SD = 11" the total shall be 24.4" All this gives you that is you choose the step height of 7" the depth shall be shorter. You can do stairs that have longer depth. That is no problem. Just don't do them to short.

@scotttovey 4 жыл бұрын

@@72strand Actually, I worked the calculation until I got the same answers that Tommy provided in the video. FYI: Most code specifications in America are still SAE, not metric measurements.

@diggersdaddon7205 7 ай бұрын

You need to think about tread thickness, too. For example: If finished floors are 3/4" and tread material is thicker (say 1.25") and you don't lower the risers that 1/2" difference, your first step up will be 1/2" taller and top step up 1/2" shorter than all the steps in between. Riser layout would be the same, but you'd need to cut that 1/2" off the bottom.

@mpybals8002 6 ай бұрын

You are right that you need to adjust for finished floor but your risers height is measured from finished floor. Your bottom step would be taller until the hardwood or whatever is installed.

@nailbanger2 5 ай бұрын

@@mpybals8002 Always a good idea to start a story pole with ALL the pertinent information on it. This includes any possible landings, although this set didn't have any.

@okoboji2001 3 жыл бұрын

What about picking the right lumber for the stringers? What grain direction works best? What grain direction works best for the treads?

@wboquist 2 жыл бұрын

You can ask for "stringer stock" at the lumber yard to receive suitable lumber.

@thebirdac Жыл бұрын

He forgot to subtract 1/4" to the bottom of the stringer that sits on the floor ,to accommodate for the thickness of the tread which is 1" thick .1" (Tread) - 3/4" (Floor) = 1/4" ,so by taking that 1/4" off the bottom it will lower the top tread 1/4" .Ex: Risers are suppose to be 7 1/2" high ,so by taking that 1/4" off the bottom your first rise at the bottom will be 7 1/4" high and the rise at the top (from the top of the floor to the top of the tread) will be 7 3/4" ,so when you install your hardwood floors or ceramic tiles with sub-floor (3/4") thick and your treads (1") thick all your risers will be equal from bottom to the top .You need to subtract what you intend to put on your floor to the thickness of the tread which is 1" thick .

@mikelazenby55 10 ай бұрын

Yep, I came to the comment section to see if anyone else noticed this.

@tarahall1025 5 ай бұрын

Trying to design a switchback staircase- I want a rise of 6” and tread of 12.5” - is that allowed? And working with 10’ ceilings on main

@jamilahmed7347 3 жыл бұрын

Plz can you make a video of your cordless drill

@chrisallen3741 7 ай бұрын

What is the cut you made on the bottom of the stringer that locked in the floor? I never seen anyone explain that

@RM-lk1so 3 жыл бұрын

Never a thumbs down. But this topic should have more info.

@wboquist 2 жыл бұрын

What are the minimum requirements for headroom for people who are using the stares?

@Nail56 4 жыл бұрын

Well, he didn't explain the math between the rise and cuts...

@lionheart93 4 жыл бұрын

yup dislike

@NShores 4 жыл бұрын

I suspected from the start that the video wasn't going to be much of a deep dive, based on its (less than) 4 minute running time. I would really like to hear more about stairs!

@ImTheJoker4u 4 жыл бұрын

Or calculate the tread thickness.

@B.E.C.K. 3 жыл бұрын

Most pros use the Construction Calculator. It’s a great resource and comes as a phone app now too.

@thomaswayneward 3 жыл бұрын

There is no formula between the rise and tread, they are individually figured using the required horizontal length of the entire stair way and the required total height.

@BiggMo 4 жыл бұрын

In Washington State there should had been a safety rail around that mid level floor they working on.

@LubaLuba1 3 жыл бұрын

what about connecting where can i find 45 degree hangers for stringers

@mikcall54 3 жыл бұрын

Tom did everything but tell us how he figured the rise and run.

@derekw40 2 жыл бұрын

Lol

@xgum 2 жыл бұрын

the man only works in right angles

@cussininthekitchen8224 2 жыл бұрын

Measure 7.5 inches on the sides

@itybitygangsta Жыл бұрын

Everything but how to do it lol

@dayzeo Жыл бұрын

Wouldn’t you just divide to total height by 7.5” for the rise then multiply the resulting number by 10” for the tread?

@newdogatplay 4 жыл бұрын

How to cut stringers for unlevel landing I've hunted for your video an can not find it ,please put it on here

@melissakuralt790 2 жыл бұрын

We have to have a 90 (Lshape) staircase going to basement. Two of the floor joists have to be removed to allow for head room. Do the headers that cap off the floor joists have to be supported by a wall under them, or can I keep it open?

@larryc8568 11 ай бұрын

I know it is late, but the joists holding the header should be doubled.

@wwhomeshow 4 жыл бұрын

Building Staircases can be a DIY puzzle box! Another quick and informative video ATOH! 🏠

@apostasiaelegcho5612 3 жыл бұрын

Going by the marks of a framing square when laying out stringers, you're almost always guaranteed to be off at least a 1/16nth of an inch. Measuring the hypotenuse is the only accurate method for stringer layout. I rarely see anyone do that.

@wboquist 2 жыл бұрын

That's true. I once saw a carpenter use the square, and he gained about an eighth of an inch on each tread. Over sixteen treads, he was off two inches at the top.

@apostasiaelegcho5612 Жыл бұрын

@CORNER MARKET PLACE Ok :)

@Genertrevia 3 жыл бұрын

hello I have space which is 98 inches height and 50 inches on the ground. How can those stairs be designed?

@anthonyervin448 25 күн бұрын

You forgot crowning the boards sir. And mention that 37degrees is the default unless split foyer or failed amount of room

@jennifer9528 Жыл бұрын

Great! But what are the required dimensions of the board before it's cut into stringers? (2x8? 2x10? 2x12?)

@Don.kee.ho-tay Жыл бұрын

2x12

@tonylove1261 4 жыл бұрын

When is the show on? It was on PBS at 7 pm Saturday’s in NY. Can’t find it anymore.

@felipepubillones2768 4 жыл бұрын

Believe it's strictly online now

@garychambers5930 4 жыл бұрын

In Arkansas it come on PBS Saturday's at 1:00 New episodes I would think it would be the same everywhere in the US

@scottparrott6669 Жыл бұрын

What is that he has attached to his power saw?

@itson3048 6 ай бұрын

How did you figure the angle for the birds Mouth on the bottom?

@anthonydias8403 3 жыл бұрын

How did you calculate the notch on the bottom stair?

@quinnhooper5103 2 жыл бұрын

I was looking for that as well

@frednatural7310 4 жыл бұрын

Has TOH ever reviewed Larry Haun's videos from the 1970's?

@thomaswayneward 3 жыл бұрын

No, Larry Haun's videos were associated with Fine Homebuilding, a competitor.

@rickyrodriguez5744 3 жыл бұрын

Riverside California building code doesn’t allow the use of screws, they call for 16ds.

@ltandrepants 2 жыл бұрын

what about thickness of tread finish

@dillonpeters2121 3 жыл бұрын

To easy its fun when u get hardwood one on one floor and tile the next floor got to watch yourself when factoring in different finisbed floors

@steamenginewatt2712 3 жыл бұрын

What I do is: After the lay out with the square, LEAVE the pencil mark with the saw blade, this is the template. For the rest of the stringers, put the pencil mark DOWN on each new stringer, and REMOVE the pencil mark with the saw blade. Your stringers should all be the same... Good luck !

@jstrick85 2 жыл бұрын

I’m always one step ahead. Like a carpenter. Who builds stairs.

@davidwells298 3 жыл бұрын

Drill a hole where rise and run meets less apt to splitting

@rodralph824 13 күн бұрын

Let’s see how the top went

@marcodeluca4068 3 жыл бұрын

What about the pitch of each tread ???

@tory7142 Жыл бұрын

👍👍

@nickdifilippo4055 4 жыл бұрын

Wow I will never do stairs another way. I like the circular saw with guide/fence/track attachment too

@MattLitkeRacing 4 жыл бұрын

Nick DiFilippo it’s a Festool HKC saw

@Scottybravo1 4 жыл бұрын

For almost $900 for that saw and track, I don't like it that much

@MattLitkeRacing 4 жыл бұрын

Scottybravo1 time is money. Most good tools will pay for themselves if that’s the work you do

@thomaswayneward 3 жыл бұрын

They are being paid to promote the guide. Any carpenter would be laughed at on the job if they used that guide. I can cut as good as a table saw on any cut, freehand, and so can any good carpenter.

@nailbanger2 5 ай бұрын

@@thomaswayneward You are correct about the festool track saw, but having spent over 40 years trying, I still haven't gotten to the level of skill you claim to possess. I haven't seen it in any others, either. What a good carpenter does is work around his deficiencies. I have several homemade track saws, simple masonite and 3/4"x3/4" hardwood saw guide in lengths of 8', 50", and 18" that take the skill of cutting a straight line out of the equation. For most things, I don't even take them out of the truck. But when I'm building cabinets or coffered ceilings, or stairs, they come in real handy for the price of $20.

@felipejose9909 4 жыл бұрын

I can build stairs after this 3 min video.

@thesnowgeese Жыл бұрын

Twice the rise plus the run (2r+R) should be within an inch of 25”. 😉

@slappy915 4 жыл бұрын

I just wish the template was better explained. I expected to see it on top or something. :(

@robertocastro5102 2 жыл бұрын

How much money would it cost to make a 7-step stone and concrete staircase in front of the house?

@richarddannov5784 2 жыл бұрын

If you have to ask, you haven’t saved enough yet

@sammontalvo8904 2 жыл бұрын

You didn't explain the cut that attaches to the board

@probegt75 4 жыл бұрын

My dad always used these two little brass clamp things when he did stairs idk what they're called

@bilbobaggins3333 3 жыл бұрын

They’re called rafter buttons

@williamwadford3707 3 жыл бұрын

Their called square nocks

@Fnberg744 2 жыл бұрын

My old man gave me his recently

@nailbanger2 5 ай бұрын

This is 3 years old, but for anyone looking on Amazon, they're stair gauges.

@steamenginewatt2712 3 жыл бұрын

What would the correct rise and run be on Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven ?

@kellyanderson995 Жыл бұрын

4/4

@nailbanger2 5 ай бұрын

@@kellyanderson995 I always thought it was NO QUARTER.

@Piccolo_Re 7 ай бұрын

It must be nice having a $700 circular saw for a project…

@wildernessofzin9543 Жыл бұрын

Not only that …. measurement for foot or base .

@lancesay Жыл бұрын

riser height = 7.5 in and tread = 10 to 10.5 in.

@thomaswayneward 3 жыл бұрын

He didn't cover how to figure the tread width. The total length, on a horizontal, of the stairs, always has a requirement. The tread must be adjusted accordingly.

@joevaldivia6733 2 жыл бұрын

Tim didn’t explain how to calculate the rise and run 🤨

@jamesgardner7352 Жыл бұрын

Didnt show how to get angle on bottom to lay flush

@kellyanderson995 Жыл бұрын

I don't think he said how wide the stringer board has to be. Basic info...

@gerardcomeau2160 4 жыл бұрын

*Break a hip ... grandma !*

@gerardcomeau2160 4 жыл бұрын

*_____✒ this old house.*

@TheSubtleBeast 3 жыл бұрын

I do not like Tommy saying “That’s illegal” 😭

@cole141000 4 жыл бұрын

Nails are actually better than screws for 99% of wood framing-the most important thing you want in a fastener for a building unless you are sistering material is sheer strength. I feel like he’s sold out to be more attractive to the undereducated viewer. This is why men like Essential Craftsman and Larry Haun just can’t be replaced. It bothers me that the kind of work that is typically to be very home-grown is becoming so commercialized.

@thomaswayneward 3 жыл бұрын

Nails are plenty good for all carpentry. A single 16 sinker will hold about 400 lbs. so four in a stud is 1600 lbs.

@gregorysalter6226 3 жыл бұрын

Dude. Rise and run are one thing. Unit rise and unit run are another. Got to be specific man. Vary vary specific.

@nailbanger2 5 ай бұрын

That's " very, very specific ".

@MrEdolsian 4 жыл бұрын

You didn't explain the math..

@thomaswayneward 3 жыл бұрын

the math is fifth grade stuff.

@davidclark6694 2 жыл бұрын

Failed to tell people how you calculated the tread and riser size.

@nsuddeth91 4 жыл бұрын

I didnt learn anything.

@QIKWIA 4 жыл бұрын

All the years I've been watching this show, How come they never show these guys messing up a project?😄😂😂.. 🤷🏽‍♀️I wanna see some mistakes made by these "master carpenters".. 😁☺️😖😂😅

@lionheart93 4 жыл бұрын

no mistakes made here

@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv 5 ай бұрын

You didn't show the most important things, the 5.5 inch first step, and where it ended up at the top, were you 7.5 inchs down from the top or flush with the top, all you really showed was your little jig.

@martinsanchez1949 3 жыл бұрын

Lacked detail

@anerioone 4 жыл бұрын

poor explanation and incomplete

@foremanjacobmiller3589 Жыл бұрын

😂what

@GoForwardPs34 6 ай бұрын

Wrong title on this video

@Rocky1115 4 жыл бұрын

This video was pointless. It didn't show how to lay out stairs whatsoever.

@jasonhall4930 2 жыл бұрын

This video is tv fluff, skipped the important stuff.

@steamenginewatt2712 3 жыл бұрын

After this 3 minute video with its lack of in-depth techniques and methodology, I'm just going to install an elevator !

@Fnberg744 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Left out as much as he included

@oldironsfury 2 жыл бұрын

If your up in north Maine Just use the circular saw to finish cut the stair stringers That extra meat you cut into with the circular saw doesn’t really matter 🤣🤦🏻‍♂️😂

@nax1807 4 жыл бұрын

These videos are much too short

@josephkilleen7807 4 жыл бұрын

As in, "They give you a flyover of a project, but not the substance to complete a job." They are not teachers, that's for damned sure. They often tell a DIY'er just enough to make them dangerous.

@walsterdoomit 4 жыл бұрын

Thumbs down. Explained nothing. Slight kudos for the board square setup. Otherwise how long a stringer do you need. What’s the run? No math. Disappointing.

@eastside0434 3 жыл бұрын

Very basic and incomplete video

@mikeelliott1971 4 жыл бұрын

normally one would make a templet, and then make the rest..

@josephkilleen7807 4 жыл бұрын

🤣

@gina4319 3 жыл бұрын

During Trump's second term he's going give Biden a televised kiss on the cheek

@jacqdanieles 3 жыл бұрын

-4 more years- 😂

@gina4319 Жыл бұрын

@CORNER MARKET PLACE Some Lumpy Dumpy in the Pen 😂

@gina4319 Жыл бұрын

💋CORNER PLACE 💋

@eireannsg 4 жыл бұрын

0:40 which idiot designed those stairs. They are good for if you want to fall down. Here the steps are too small 3:17, yet another disaster. the steps seem too high, difficult to carry things up. Has no one in the US an idea how to design the ideal stair?

@eireannsg 4 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL Of course Amsterdam and the UK are bad examples. In other European countries that type of stairs would not get an approval. Guess the family of this old house is originally from England or Holland.

@eireannsg 4 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL Yupp

@eireannsg Жыл бұрын

@CORNER MARKET PLACE the steps are too high, the stair is too steep and the entire foot doesnt fit on one stair step. I posted my initial comment 2 years ago.