Wood Stairs

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Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 673 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, April 03, 2017 - 07:44 pm:    I don't typically specify wood stairs, but seem to have a few of them on current projects. I have Masterspecs' sections, but am curious (1) do structural engineer's usually include them on their dwgs; (2) if not, do you specify them as a delegated design (3) what coverings do you typically see for wood service stairs? I would think paint would be a maintenance issue. Thanks in advance for any input Dewayne Dean Senior Member Username: ddean Post Number: 129 Registered: 02-2016 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 11:30 am:    Robyn, Are these just wood treads or wood stringers as well? Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 674 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 11:31 am:    100% wood construction Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 812 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 01:15 pm:    Robin, (1 & 2) Wood stair construction could be either way. Building codes have something to say about wood stairs as well as AWI/WI (perhaps more design than structural performance). If the SE engineers wood floor framing, shouldn't they also engineer the stairs for the loading requirements? (3) I recommend resilient treads, riser. Add skirting (to protect gypsum board) if the outside stringers are notched. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 264 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 02:43 pm:    The answers depend a lot on the type of building. I painted wood stairs, but since they were for occasional use a in a utility room, the paint was not a maintenance issue. The designer may have something to say about covering -- oak is a lot different than a carpet runner. But you know all this. I am just talking because I don't feel like working today. Maybe I will take a walk, then get back to it. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru 818-219-4937 Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 812 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 03:26 pm:    Assume we are talking about typical residential wood stairs. It is not uncommon for structural drawings to show a detail that defines minimum in-notched depth of stringers. This is not universal. In situations where the stair is between two walls which provide support there is likely less need for structural detail. Unusual stairs do need some structural attention. The question is whether the added fee was contemplated in the original proposal. Steel stairs are not considered "structural steel" Talk to the structural engineer. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 585 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 07:53 pm:    It is interesting how we all immediately created a mental image of "wood stairs" when reading this thread. I live in San Francisco, and my first image is of the rickety exterior "back stairs" on all of the old Victorians. https://www.shutterstock.com/ru/image-photo/back-stairs-landings-san-francisco-victorian-565163?src=gZWGKrdfq0PRJfkvsV-Zhw-1-72 But of course, we even have wood stairs that are a right of way too: http://sfuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_0393.jpg Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 265 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2017 - 09:27 pm:    I have no personal experience with it, but am impressed by this bracket: http://goproconstruction.com/ Less measuring, marking, and sawing, Shallower and less expensive wood for stringers. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru 818-219-4937 Ashley Goodin Senior Member Username: agoodinawinetorg Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2016 Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2017 - 01:48 pm:    The best resource for this is David Cooper at the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association www.stairways.org and his email is coderep@stairways.org. David is fluent in stairbuilding and code compliance. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1709 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 03:00 pm:    If they are residential, it seems unlikely a structural engineer is needed, as the code is quite prescriptive. As to paint, in my house you have to come up a flight of stairs to enter my unit on the second floor. More than 25 years ago I painted them with a urethane-modified alkyd. Today, they're not even scratched.