How to Build a Wooden Staircase

Taking Measurements and Preparing Stringers

• 1

  Start your measurements by taking a 2x4 plank and laying it on the landing, standing up on its side. Check that it's level.

• 2

  Calculate the rise of the staircase. Measure from the top of the plank placed in Step 1 down to the floor/ground. Let's say that is 35 inches. Divide this by 7 inches, the typical rise per step. That yields 5 steps with a rise of 7 inches per step.

• 3

  Calculate the run of the staircase. The run is the horizontal depth of the staircase, which should be at least 10 inches, with the typical stair width being between 10.5 and 11.5 inches. Let's say these stairs are a little narrow at 10 inches wide. Multiply these numbers together (5 X 10) to find the run, which in this example is 50 inches.

• 4

  Use the framing square to draw out the notches for the future steps onto a 2x12. This device has guide pins for anchoring it to the other side of the plank, and re-setting the square from cut to cut. Set its width for 10 inches and mark out a step with the pencil. Next, move the square down so the top pin is placed where the bottom pin used to be, placing the square into position for the next step. In this example, this needs to be repeated for all 5 steps.

• 5

  Measure and mark out the rise distance on the 2x12 plank. This example is for a small staircase, with each stringer being less than 3 feet long. Therefore, one 10-foot plank will easily yield both of the needed stringers. Cut the measured and marked section off with the circular saw, and then repeat Step 4 to create a new stringer with the remainder of the plank.

• 6

  Use a circular saw to cut out the steps from both stringers.

Installation

• 7

  Trim the bottom of the stringers by cutting away the width of the proposed stair treads. In this example, the 2x6s have a width of roughly 1.5 inches, so cut 1.5 inches off.

• 8

  Set the stringers into place on the outside of the proposed staircase; check their placement with a level, and then drill holes and screw the stringers into place at the top landing. There should be a stringer framing the outside, with one more aligned in the center, covering a 5-foot space.

• 9

  Use the 2x4 planks as risers, and fasten them to the stringers with hammer and nails. Driving two nails for each stringer will do. A firm fit on the treads will also help secure the risers. The best placement is at the top and bottom, as the treads will obscure the nails. The best kind of nails for this sort of work are headless carpentry nails, which will disappear after being driven into the wood. However, that also makes them difficult to remove, so exercise a little care in driving them.

• 10

  Use 2x6 boards as treads. Two each will be needed for every step. You will need to nail two nails per stringer per tread board. The arrangement is at your discretion, but it should create a neat, even appearance as the headless nails will be discrete, but not invisible.