How to Close the Stairs

Stairs are an essential component of many constructions, from outdoor decks to indoor structures. Building the stairs by yourself seems impossible, but actually the stairs only have 3 main parts: sideboards, treads and risers. The edge plank is a 5cm x 30cm oblique wooden board that bears the weight of your body when you walk on the stairs. The top of the stairs is the wooden board for you to step on, and the standing boards are hammered perpendicular to the bottom of the stairs. After measuring and cutting the edge boards correctly, the other parts can be fitted almost easily.

Table of Contents

Find basic sizes

Measure the height where you plan to install the stairs, aka the total height. If you do not want to make the top step level with the surface where the stairs will start, this must be taken into account when measuring. ^{[1] XResearch Source}

For example, you are closing the stairs to the front porch floor, and you measure the height from the ground to the floor is 1m, that is the total height.
If you want the stairs to stop at 10cm from the floor, the total height is 0.9m.

Divide the total height by the typical ladder height. The result of this calculation will tell you the total number of steps of the stairs. Typical ladder height is around 17-20cm, but you should probably get a slightly different actual ladder height. ^{[2] XResearch Source}

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

Divide the total height by the number of steps to get the actual ladder height. Keep in mind that this height may differ slightly from a typical ladder height. Finding the actual step height will ensure that the steps are the same height regardless of the total height. ^{[3] XResearch Sources}

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

Calculate the width of the ladder. The width of each step is not less than 23cm, in fact it should be at least 25cm wide. This is enough space for an average foot to step on comfortably and safely. ^{[4] XResearch Sources}

As a general rule, the total step width and step height 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 the stairs from start to finish. To find this size, you multiply the total number of steps by the step width.

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

Determine if a landing is needed. The wooden board suitable for building the longest staircase is 5m. That means you can fit up to about 14 stairs. If your stairs are longer, the landing can be closed. However, you can install a landing for any staircase if you like.

If your stairs have a landing, you will consider each stair span as a small stair cage.

Calculate the side plank length. Side planks are wooden boards that run obliquely below the steps to hold the stairs. Stand boards and stair treads will be fitted to the side boards. Determine the length of the side plank in the same way as calculating the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle: ^{[5] XResearch Source}

Calculate the square of the length of the ladder cage, calculate the square of the height of the stairs, add these two values and take its square root.
Continuing with the above example, $325$ $2$ $+$ $240$ $2$ ${displaystyle {sqrt {325^{2}+240^{2}}}}$ ${sqrt {325^{2}+240^{2}}}$ = 404 cm.

Determine how to attach stairs to existing structures. If the stairs are flush with the vertical face of the structure, you can attach the side boards to the existing frame. But if the stairs do not fit directly into the existing structure (such as being attached to the floor via a cantilever) then you must install the supporting structure or modify the design of the sideboard head. ^{[6] XResearch Source}

For example, if the stairs are installed below the cantilever attached to the floor, you must make sure the top step is not as high as the floor.
Instead, you calculate a slightly shorter total height and attach the hanging post to the top of the sideboard.

Calculate the number of edge boards needed. To prevent the step from sag as you step up, a wide staircase will need more side boards underneath to keep it stable. Very narrow stairs only need two side boards, but it’s best to start with three and work your way up as needed. ^{[7] XResearch Sources}

For safety reasons, edge boards should be spaced approximately 40cm apart.
People often prefer to use wider stairs because moving on wide stairs will be easier and more comfortable.

Cutting edge boards

Use a long enough board measuring 5cm x 30cm. Do not rush to cut the board into segments. The side boards will be angled depending on the height and width of the ladder, and the ends should be adjusted accordingly. ^{[8] XResearch Sources}

Mark the height and width of the step on a wooden eke ruler. In the example above, you need to mark at 18.5cm and 25cm on each edge of the ruler. You must know for sure which side corresponds to the height (stand) and which corresponds to the width (stair face). ^{[9] XResearch Source}

Find an impression device at a hardware store. It’s almost like a screw that attaches to a carpentry ruler at the dimensions to be measured, so you can mark and cut wood faster.

Adjust the top of the side plank to the angle where the stairs need to be placed. This angle depends on the ladder size. Here’s how to do it: ^{[10] XResearch Sources}

Place a wooden ruler in one corner of the plank. Place the edge marking the step height along the top of the board, and the edge marking the step width along the length of the plank.
Draw a line between the two ladder height and width markers. This line marks the horizontal line on the top of the edge plank.
Mark that line so that its length is equal to the width of the ladder.
Using the êke draw a perpendicular line from the top of the board to the point you just marked.
Saw along these lines.

Measure and mark each step along the length of the plank. Using the horizontal line on the top of the edge 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 whose length is equal to the step width. Repeat this process and move down until you have drawn the required number of steps. ^{[11] XResearch Source}^{[12] XResearch Source}

Use a circular saw or a hand saw to cut along the tread lines. If using a chainsaw, cut to the edge of the line marked on the edge board. Stop sawing when about 3-6mm from the opposite line, then use a hand saw to cut the rest. ^{[13] XResearch Source}

Cut across the base of the sideboard so that it lies flat on the ground. Draw a line parallel to the line of the last step and perpendicular to the edge of the step (where the last standing board is located). Cut along this line so that the base of the sideboard is flat on the ground. ^{[14] XResearch Source}

Install side boards to check. Cut the top and bottom of the sideboard to test fit into the structure, before sawing the positions to install the steps. Make sure the stair height is correct. The edge plank must lie flat on the ground or floor, and the edge plank end fits snugly into the existing structure.

Use the first edge plank as a template for cutting the next panels. Place the first finished edge board on the 5cm x 30cm plank and draw a contour around it on the new board. Then cut the required number of edge boards.

Install stairs

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Install side boards. There are many ways to attach sideboard ends to an existing structure. It is easiest to attach a metal cantilever to a beam or floor support system. Screw the screw through the hole in the cantilever, one end fits flat with the end of the sideboard, the other end into the floor beam.

Place edge boards on a hard surface such as concrete, wooden floors or even on treated wood paneling (for outdoor stairs). ^{[15] XResearch Source}

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Install a stand to stabilize the sideboard (footboard). Standing boards are usually made from 2.5cm x 15cm boards. While you don’t need to install standing boards, closing them between each step will make the stairs look better and last longer. ^{[16] XResearch Source}

Cut 2.5cm x 15cm planks of the same width as the stairs. Attach them to the sideboard with 6.5cm screws.
Make sure the height of each step is exactly the same.

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Install stair treads. Cut planks to a width equal to or slightly greater than the width of the tread, and the same length as the width of the stairs or slightly wider if you prefer to have excess on the sides of the stairs. Attach the step face to the steps of the sideboard with 6.5cm screws. ^{[17] XResearch Source}

For example, you can cut a 2.5cm x 25cm wooden plank equal to the width of the ladder and use it as a step surface.
To increase the artistic touch, use two planks and leave a gap of 3-6mm between them. For example, you could cut 2.5cm x 13cm planks to the width of a ladder, and install two planks on each step, leaving a gap between them.
To make the ladder more stable, you install 5cm x 10cm wood panels on both sides of the middle plank, below the surface of the stairs.

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Install decorative boards outside the edge boards (optional). Decorative boards will help the stairs look more beautiful because it hides the top of the risers and stair treads. Cut the 5cm x 30cm planks of the same length and angle as the sideboards, but do not cut the lines to attach the ladder. Install them on both sides of the stairs and use screws to secure them. ^{[18] XResearch Sources}

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Varnish or paint the stairs if needed. Consider treating wood against the elements, especially outdoor stairs. Even if you are closing the stairs in your home, 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 stick anti-slip tape on the stairs.

Advice

Be sure to install the landing mat before installing the steps to avoid tripping hazards.

Warning

Always check the current building codes in your area. There are regulations on the minimum and maximum size for the height and width of the stairs, the number of side boards to be used and so on.

Things you need

Chainsaw or hand saw?
Wood ruler
Impression tool
Cordless or cordless drill
Screw (shortest 6.5cm)
Metal cantilever catches the floor
Wooden planks 5cm x 25cm as edge boards
Wooden planks 5cm x 15cm for stairs
Wooden plank 2.5cm x 15cm as foot support

Steps