DianaT - 3-10-2008 at 04:26 PM
Questions for all of you building experts.
1. Looking for what is the average width of a staircase, and what is the average height of one step?
2. Also, what is the average angle of the staircase?
If we know the average angle, we can finally actually use our elementary geometry to see where the stairs would end. 
Thanks
Diane and John
DENNIS - 3-10-2008 at 04:55 PM
Diane... Try this
http://buildingstairs.org
BajaWarrior - 3-10-2008 at 04:56 PM
Treads are 12"
Risers are about 7, no more than 8, no less than 6.
The angle is about 37 degrees.
You really need a Carpenter square and at least a diagram to do this.
If your Total Rise (ground to landing or deck) is lets say 96", then divide 7 into that, and you get 13.71 so about 14 risers at 7" each.
Draw it out on paper, you'll have one less tread than riser, you'll see. Count the amount of risers until you reach your Total Rise.
Where your stairs terminate at the top, your cut for attachment will run paralell to your top riser.
Deduct the thickness of the tread from the bottom of your stringers so all of the risers are alike.
Google Swanson Stairs and scroll down to see a diagram and terminology for stairs. This will help tremendously!
Lay it out first before you cut anything!
Good Luck with your project!
[Edited on 3-10-2008 by BajaWarrior]
longlegsinlapaz - 3-10-2008 at 05:03 PM
Not sure if there is such a thing as "average"! I refuse to make any of my steps more than 6" tall, 2' is a comfortable width for one person using
them at a time....unless you have the room & extra $$ for materials to make a 3' staircase. I do 12" tread. Are you talking interior or exterior
steps? I honestly think more people figure out where they want the stairs & let the dimensions of the area have a lot of input on the angle.
Also any existing windows or doors if stairs will be against an existing wall will have a lot of say in all of the above. On a shorter span wall, you
could start at the bottom & go up near the top & turn the corner, especially is this if an exterior application. Keep in mind, as we get
older, we're going to be cursing those stairs, so build for tomorrow more than for today!
edit typo
[Edited on 3-11-2008 by longlegsinlapaz]
Capt. George - 3-10-2008 at 05:18 PM
keep in mind, that the older we get, the angle of the dangle also changes!
hope you are well we are in Florida e me lost your e address
all's well in grapefruit land xo george
hookemup - 3-10-2008 at 05:33 PM
All good info above. I like 7" rise and 11" run and suits any codes I've seen.The trick is to make the risers equal or vary risers no more than 1/4" (
codes are from 1/8 to 3/8") if not they are prone to be trippers.Very common down here to see the first or last riser way too short or tall. Also
think about an overhang on the tread from 3/4" to 1" ( actual tread 12" but run is 11" The older I get the wider I seem to need the stairs( or is it
the wider I get) 36" is pretty common
BajaWarrior - 3-10-2008 at 05:36 PM
If you intend to build a wide staircase, as in 3', you'll need 3 stringers at least. 4 if you are going 4'.
I have a narrow 2' wide staircase with only two stringers to get up to a small deck that is not used much, it works fine, but when we built our new
home over the garage we went 4' wide with 4 stringers.
I think 3' is just fine if you have the room.
DENNIS - 3-10-2008 at 06:10 PM
Keep in mind, you may want to move furniture up and down those stairs.
Diver - 3-10-2008 at 06:12 PM
Most US building codes call for a minimum 36" clear width for staircases.
The same codes call for 7" maximum riser and 11" minimum tread width, EXCEPT for residential uses where a maximum of 8" risers and a minimum 9" treads
is required.
Use your graph paper and do a line at 7/11 and another at 8/10 and try to be somewhere in between.
.
Sharksbaja - 3-10-2008 at 07:00 PM
wedonneed no steenking square
Just make sure they are plugged in well.
Al G - 3-10-2008 at 07:27 PM
Hi Diane...We all get to sound off here...right? 24 " is too narrower...put a mid size tray in you hands and have John measure elbow to elbow. This
will be a problem with wall and railing. I feel observation deck stairs to be both wide enough and small enough at 30" wide...a few reasons:
1) You can carry entertainment items
2) You can pass...I wait until the right lady is coming down
3) I just like the confined security after a Pacifico/tequila party
4) only two stringers needed
5) I am sure there is more, but I am on my third...?...Pacifico
LL in La Paz is right on with 6" including tread...8" would be laborious and 7" (code) is to save builders money and space...Start at 6"including
tread and add 1/8 to 1/4 only until ALL risers are equal (you can adjust tread width to equalize risers too...depending on room for run. (12" with 1"
toe if wooden.) I don't know if Mexicans build/form risers with 1" tilt in concrete ?
I stopped manufacturing stair cases in the 90s so code may have changed, but I know these work and consistency is safety in riser and tread
Edit for pacificos
[Edited on 3-11-2008 by Al G]
Al G - 3-10-2008 at 07:34 PM
Sharks....sometime super design supersedes all else...I loved it when I was there
Diver - 3-10-2008 at 08:27 PM
OK, so the easy way to find what you want;
Measure the total height from one floor to the next.
Divide this number by 7 and round up to the next whole number.
Subtract 1 from this number and then multiply by 11 inches.
This result is the horizontal measure of your stairs with 11 inch treads and less than 7 inch risers.
Sorry, no geometry; just simple add/subtract/multiply and divide.
.
[Edited on 3-11-2008 by Diver]
BMG - 3-10-2008 at 08:40 PM
According the Bob Vila:
But maybe you want to try something a little different?
Bob and Susan - 3-11-2008 at 07:10 AM
i'd go to a "new" track house in your area and measure...
you ONLY get one chance for a comfortable stairway
jorgie - 3-11-2008 at 07:38 AM
ask Diver, he builds 'em along with the rest of the building
Try this very helpful link:
bajamigo - 3-11-2008 at 07:54 AM
Staircases
Diver - 3-11-2008 at 08:08 AM
Maybe something like this ??
I designed and built this one 2 years ago.
vandenberg - 3-11-2008 at 08:29 AM
Beautiful job Diver.
Know from experience the difficulty of building such a stairway.
DENNIS - 3-11-2008 at 08:29 AM
Any more questions? Looks as though Diver can answer them.
DianaT - 3-11-2008 at 11:45 AM
Wow---great answers. I return to the Internet Cafe, and bingo---now need to print out some of the answers.
Sharks---love those stairs, but with my vertigo, they would scare me.
BMG, those are the craziest stairs I have ever seen. ---
Thanks everyone
D
wilderone - 3-11-2008 at 03:03 PM
Diver - if you want to vacation in Tahoe this summer and build me some outdoor stairs (4 steps) to my deck, u2u me. I bought some EZStairs last year
to use. Don't know if I'd still go with them.