Ways to Cut Stairs

Design

• The way you cut your stairs depends on the purpose or type of stairs you need -- and the type will affect your design. For instance, a decorative winding staircase in the front foyer of your home is cut differently than steps cut for the deck in your backyard. Use stair-design software to help you with this task, or design your own templates using a simple piece of sturdy cardboard.

Stringers

• Cutting the step portion of the stair is the easiest task when determining how to cut your stairs. Cutting the stringers, on the other hand, can be much more difficult and requires greater attention to detail and even a little creativity. Stringers hold the set of stairs, much like a skeleton, usually with one on each side, providing a platform for the steps. The stringers are usually cut by first determining the rise and run of each step. Using a framing square, trace out the pattern for the stringers. The method of cutting can include the use of either a jigsaw or, if you're careful enough, a circular saw.

Treads

• Cutting the stair treads is one of the simplest tasks in building a staircase. The treads are the parts you walk on when you go up and down the stairs. A tread can be cut as a single board that sits on top of the stringer, or you can cut two of these for each step, leaving a small gap in between. It's also possible to cut these to overhang the stringers on each side and overhang the risers also. Creating this overhang will provide the stairs with a more decorative look. Consider a bull-nosed cut on the outer edge of the step covering the riser for further decoration.

Risers

• Risers are also used on some staircases. These are the part of the stairs that sit vertically on the stringers and just below the treads, covering the hole directly below them. Not all stairs have risers. For instance, many decks only have treads. Stairs cut with risers will give the stairs a more solid and permanent look. They will also help solidify the structure.