Cutting out the stair case: How do I build a set of stairs?
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Now you are ready to cut out the steps. Remember to cut on the waste side of the line. The waste side is the triangle that you are cutting out. When you get to the corner of the step the circular saw blade will leave a bit of material. Use your hand saw to trim of the material and cut out the step triangle.
Use this stringer as a template to layout and cut the other stringers for the stair case. Lay the next stringer board on the saw horses and place the template stringer on top. Line up the template and trace the cutout pattern for all of the steps.
To strengthen the stringers you can glue and nail a 2 x 4 to the inside of the stringer. Use a good quality construction adhesive and twelve penny nails. This reinforcement will help reduce the bounce and give of the stair case.
Another reinforcement option is to brace the stair case with 2 x 4 jacks running from the floor to the underside of the stringers. Place these jacks about half way the length of the stringer. The draw back to this is that inside of a house, it will reduce the amount of available space under stair case storage. But, if you put jacks under the outside stringers and then use a 2×6 header running between them you can leave the middle jack out and still have a nice storage space.
Cut the treads to passage width. Starting at the bottom of the stairs fasten them with construction adhesive and twelve penny nails. I like using construction adhesive to reduce the potential of squeaking steps. When driving the nails in the tread, drive them in at an angle into the stringer. This will help prevent the tread from squeaking and rubbing on the nail when you walk on it.
Once the stairs case has been assembled test walk up and down searching for any squeaky steps. If the step is squeaking drive another nail in an opposite angle from the previous nail.
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