Proper Placement of Frames in a Staircase

Story Pole

• Carpenters use a story pole to plan the frame of a staircase. A story pole is a thin strip of wood with a full-scale drawing of the staircase. The carpenter marks the story pole, allowing for the thickness of the subfloor and finished floor. Planning a story pole ensures the carriage, or frame, of the staircase will be plumb and level, with evenly spaced risers.

Components

• A staircase is comprised of several framing components. The stairwell, or opening around the top of the staircase, must be framed with headers between two joists. The carriage of the staircase is made up of the stringers, landings and blocking wood pieces. Stringers are usually made from 2-by-12 lumber, and a 36-inch-wide staircase will require three. The last component of the staircase frame is the treads, or what most recognize as the step.

Tips

• When you know the shape and finished flooring choices for the staircase, you can most accurately plan the staircase. The varying thickness of carpets, wood and tile can result in staircase with a first or last stair that is too high or low. Error as small as the thickness of a pencil line can result in an accumulated error of an inch and create a dangerous situation.

Warning

• Framing a staircase is one of the most difficult framing tasks in building a home. A staircase that has not been properly framed could result in a dangerous situation. Even the smallest variation in stair height increases the risk of someone falling. Secure a permit and familiarize yourself with staircase codes before beginning any framing project.