How to close stairs (with photo) - tips

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For example, say you are building the stairs to the floor in front of the porch, and you measure the height from ground to floor to be 1m, which is the total height.
If you want the stairs to stop at 10cm away from the floor, the total height is 0.9m.

Divide the total height by typical ladder height. The result of this calculation will tell you the total number of stairs. Typical ladder height is around 17-20cm, but you should probably take the actual ladder height a little differently.

For example, if the total height is 240cm, divide this number by 18cm and get 13.53. Round to get the number of steps to 13.

Divide the total height by the number of steps to get the actual ladder height. Keep in mind that this height can be slightly different from the typical ladder height. Finding the actual ladder height will ensure the steps are of equal height regardless of the total height.

Continuing with the example above, divide 240cm by 13 steps to get 18.5cm. On the side board, each step will be 18.5cm apart.

Calculate the width of the ladder. The width of each step should not be less than 23cm, in practice it should be at least 25cm wide. This is enough space for an average foot so you can step comfortably and safely.

As a general rule of thumb, the total width of the ladder and the height of the ladder should be between 41-46cm.
Therefore, if the step height is 18cm, the step width is from 23-28cm.

Find the length of the ladder. Cage length is the horizontal distance of stairs from start to finish. To find this dimension, you multiply the total number of steps by the order width.

For example, the length of the ladder in the above example is: 13 steps x 25cm (tread width) = 325 cm.

Determine whether a vacation is required. Wooden board suitable for building the longest staircase is 5m. That means you can mount a maximum of about 14 stairs. If your stairs are longer, the landing can be closed. However, you can install a landing mat for any staircase if you like.

If your staircase has a landing, you will consider each stair span a small cage.

Calculate the length of the side board. Edge planks are wooden panels that run diagonally below the steps to hold the ladder. The vertical board and the treads will be installed to the side board. Determine the side board length in a similar way as calculating the hypotenuse length of a right triangle:

Calculate the square of the length of the cage, calculate the square of the height of the stairs, add these two values and then take its square root.
Continuing with the above example, = 404 cm.

Determine how to attach stairs to existing structures. If the staircase is flush with the structure's vertical plane, attach the side board to the existing building frame. But if the staircase is not directly attached to an existing structure (such as attached to the floor via a cantilever) then you must install a supporting structure or modify the design of the edge board.

For example, if the staircase is installed underneath the flush mounted to the floor then make sure the top step is not as high as the floor.
Instead, you calculate the slightly shorter total height and attach the hanging post to the top of the side board.

Calculate the number of edge boards to use. To prevent the ladder from sagging as you step up, a large staircase will need multiple side panels underneath to keep it stable. A very narrow staircase only needs two side planks, but it is best to start with the design with three and gradually increase it up if necessary.

For safety reasons, side panels should be spaced about 40cm apart.
People often prefer to use the larger stairs because moving on the wide stairs will be easier and more comfortable.

Part 2 of 3: Cutting edge boards

Use a long enough board with the dimensions 5cm x 30cm. Don't rush to cut the board into segments. The edge board will be placed at an angle depending on the height and width of the ladder, and the ends should be adjusted accordingly.
Mark the height and width of the ladder on the carpenter rulers. In the example above, you need markers at 18.5cm and 25cm on each side of the ruler. Make sure you know which side corresponds to the height (the plank) and which side corresponds to the width (the tread surface).
- Find and buy a seal at the hardware store. It is almost like a screw that attaches to a wooden stub at the measured dimensions, so you can mark and cut wood faster.
Adjust the top of the side board according to the angle where the stairs need to be placed. This angle depends on the size of the ladder. Here's how to do it:
- Place the wooden stubble on one corner of the board. Place the edge marking the step height along the top of the plank, and the edge marking the step width along the board length.
- Draw a line between the height and width markers of the ladder. This line marks the horizontal line on the top of the edge board.
- Mark the segment so that its length is equal to the width of the ladder.
- Use the line to draw a line perpendicular from the top of the board to the point you just marked.
- Cut along these lines.
Measure and mark each step along the length of the board. Using the horizontal line at the top of the side plank as a reference point, measure and draw a vertical line equal in length to the step height. Then measure and draw a horizontal line equal in length to the step width. Repeat this process and scroll down until you have drawn the required number of steps.
Use a circular saw or a hand saw to cut along the ladder lines. If using a chainsaw, cut to the edge of the marker line on the edge board. Stop cutting when you are about 3-6mm from the opposite road, then use your hand saw to cut the rest.
Cut the base of the side board so that it is flat on the ground. Draw a line parallel to the line of the final step and perpendicular to the edge of the ladder (where the last standing plank is located). Cut in this line so that the base of the edge board is flat on the ground.
Test installation of the edge board to check. Cut the top and bottom part of the edge plank to test joint to the structure, before cutting the positions to install the step. Make sure stair height is correct. The edge plank should lie flat on the ground or floor, and the edge of the edge board fits snugly against the existing structure.
Use the first edge plank as a template for the next panels. Place the first finished edge plank on the 5cm x 30cm wooden board and draw a line around it on the new board. Then cut the necessary number of side boards. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Installation of stairs

Edge board installation. There are many ways to attach edge boards to existing structures. The easiest way is to attach a metal bolt to a beam or floor support system. Turn the screw through the hole on the cantilever, one end is fitted flat with the top of the edge plank, the other end matches the beam.
- Place the foot of the edge plank on a hard ground such as concrete, a wooden floor or even on a treated wooden board (for outdoor stairs).
Install the vertical board to keep the edge board (footboard) stable. Standing boards are usually made from boards of 2.5cm x 15cm. Although it is not necessary to install the vertical planks, placing these panels between each step will make the stairs look better and more durable.
- Cut boards 2.5cm x 15cm with the same width as the stairs. Attach them to the side board with 6.5cm screws.
- Make sure the height of each step is exactly the same.
Installation of terraced boards. Cut wooden planks that are equal to or slightly larger than the stair tread width, and the same length as the stair width or slightly wider if you prefer to have the excess on both sides of the stairs. Attach the step surface to the steps of the side board with 6.5cm screws.
- For example, you can cut wooden planks 2.5cm x 25cm equal to the width of the ladder and use it as a step surface.
- To enhance the artistry, you use two planks and leave a 3-6mm gap between them. For example, you could cut boards 2.5cm x 13cm equal to the width of the ladder, and install two planks on each step, leaving a gap between the two boards.
- To make the ladder more solid, you install the 5cm x 10cm wooden panels on either side of the central edge plank, below the step surface.
Install the trim board over the edge plank (optional). Decorative planks will make stairs look better as it hides the top of the vertical planks and terraces. Cut boards 5cm x 30cm with the same length and inclination angle as edge planks, but do not cut the lines to attach the ladder. Install them on both sides of stairs and use screws to fix them.
Varnish or paint stairs if necessary. Consider treating the wood against damaging factors, especially stairs used outdoors. Even if you are building stairs indoors, it should be finished with a protective layer to prevent damage and beautify the product.
- Varnishing, painting, or varnishing is the right method for stairs. You can also use anti-slip paint or put anti-slip tape on stairs.
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Advice

Be sure to install your landing mat before installing stairs to avoid the risk of tripping.

Warning

Always check current building codes in the area. Including regulations on minimum and maximum dimensions for the height and width of the ladder, number of side panels to be used and so on.