Framing Options for Basement Stairs

Primary Framing Materials

• Most basement materials for framing are made from plywood. When you begin your basement project, use the same type of plywood for your stairs as you would to frame the basement walls. Large or pre-cut pieces will be needed for the stringer boards, the edges that you will attach to the walls to create the primary outline of the stairs. Measure your basement space carefully before you buy any of the framing materials.

Framing Size

• When you start your framing plans, you will have a choice as to how wide the stairs will be. Some builders use 2-by-6 inch boards for narrow steps. This is an easy way to save money on basement materials and build a workable staircase in a small area. However, building wider stairs will make it much easier to go up and down the basement steps. Wider stairs are a good idea for a basement you will use frequently, especially if you have the room for them.

Landings

• Landings are the small sections where your basement stairs level out briefly into a platform before descending the rest of the way to the basement floor. Landings occur halfway down the steps and provide a key location for changing the direction of the stairs. Moving the stairs out to a right angle makes it much easier to fit a large stairway into a small space, but it also requires additional remodeling work and materials.

Other Materials

• When building the framing, consider what materials you are using for the primary stair surface. If plywood will be the surface, use quality plywood and sand it down after finishing the installation. If you plan on installing carpet, you do not need the same quality of wood. Extra materials, such as hardwoods, will need room for subfloors so be prepared to allot extra framework space for thick surface layers.