stair codes

[Patton]

Heres a link to download pdfs to stair codes for either 2000,2003, or 2006.

http://www.arcways.com/codes.asp

[Southern Builder]

That is a good link! thanks!

[Joseph Fusco]

Matt,

I too would like to say thanks! That is a great link and I'm sure it will come in handy for those who do this type of work on a regular basis. I believe LJ Smith also had a link. I'd suggest saving the PDF file to your hard drive as well.

[Southern Builder]

In my county the codes division rejected the IRC and made their own (typical southerners). They allow 9-1/4 inch treads and 8-1/4 inch risers. Boy i am trying to tell you that is a steep stair way! Sure comes in handy though when the plans call for a 8 foot basement and the foundation guys pour 9 foot walls! You can gain two steps in no time!

[Joseph Fusco]

If I recall correctly the code used to be to an 8" rise. I always thought it was way to high. Little kids and old people like me would have a hard time of it. 7-1/4" - 7-1/2" is about all I'd build anyway. I think as a matter of fact every stair in my house is 7-3/8".

[Gary]

That's a good guide but it ain't gospel to everyone locality. I believe here in NY the max rise is 8-1/4" that's high but it's allowed. When remodeling older homes sometimes you can not meet code and must give your
best effort to come close.

[Patton]

I stay close to around 7 and 11, I dont think that changed here anytime.

[Gary]

Here is a stair face-lift I did recently which was one element of a larger project.

This house was remodeled twelve years ago by a hack shoe maker and now my clients just purchased it and I'm stuck (as usual) ripping out all the crap work and doing it over.

Every aspect of the existing was a hazard not to mention it was not securely fastened. The railing height was 27" above the nosing. Maybe the previous owners where circus people.

When I install a balustrade my top priority is strength. Since we had the entire floor opened in the second floor hall exposing the joists I was able to tie the newel post along the full depth of the floor joists. The lower as well since we installed new sub-flooring. Nothing like rock solid newel posts.

I'll shoot some more pics when the painter is finished doing his thing.






We ripped out the wall so we could extend the balustrade back to where the laundry shoot is, which we eliminated as well to make room for a closet down stairs.




I had one guy on the treads with 80 grit and finishing with 220 After a full day of sanding and filling holes and years of carpet staples they looked fairly good. There's only so much you can do with existing heavily used and abused treads.