How to Measure for Step Risers

When building a set of stairs, there are many factors that must be taken into account. The local city or township will have building codes that must be followed. Failure to follow the rules can stop all work on the project and result in a possible fine. Knowing what the codes are, when designing the staircase, will help in the design process. The typical do-it-yourself handyman can measure for the required stair risers and treads.

Tape measure
Floor plans

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance between the two floors in inches. This dimension will be from the top of the lower level to the top of the upper level. If the materials used for the finish floors will be different between the floors after construction, determine what the measurement between the finish floors will be. Add the thickness of the flooring material for each floor to the height between the floors that are now plywood. Use this number for the calculations.
- 2
  Divide the distance between the floors by 7.5. Most building codes require that the stair risers be no less than 7 inches and no greater than 8 inches in height. The answer will give you the approximate number of stair risers required. Round up the answer to the nearest whole number for the next step.
- 3
  Divide the height between floors by your calculation from Step 2. This is the height required for each riser. The building code requires that every riser be the same height. An example of this would be:
  
  Height (H )/7.5 = Approximate number of risers
  
  Answer rounded up to next whole number/Height (H) = Riser height (R)
- 4
  Call your local city or township permit department to verify that the riser height falls within the code.

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