Mark the Stringers and Adjust for Treads — Mark Stringers for Treads and Risers
Part of project
How to Measure Alternating Tread Stairs · Step 5 of 10
In this video
Begin marking the stringer. The video suggests starting from one end of the board and marking the first riser cut to maximize material. Then, flip the framing square to mark the first tread angle. For subsequent steps, carefully align the square by placing the previous marked line perpendicular to the edge of the square at the 10-inch mark. This ensures accuracy, as relying solely on visual alignment can lead to errors due to natural inconsistencies in lumber. Continue marking the triangles for each step along the entire length of the stringer. As a beginner, it's easy to forget to account for the thickness of the first tread. To correct this, the first riser should be reduced by 1 1/2 inches (the thickness of a 2x material). For example, if your riser is 7 3/8 inches, the first riser cut should be 5 7/8 inches. The top step also needs consideration to ensure it's not too short. For added precision, the video suggests using a nail to create a tick mark at the exact corner of each step's layout. This tick mark will serve as a consistent reference point when moving the square or using a tape measure to verify distances. Use a construction calculator to find the diagonal length of each step (e.g., 7 3/8" rise, 10" run gives 12 7/16" diagonal). Then, use a tape measure to mark these cumulative diagonal distances along the bottom edge of the stringer. This visual check confirms the accuracy of your square markings.
Mark the Stringers and Adjust for Treads — Mark Stringers for Treads and Risers
Part of project
How to Measure Alternating Tread Stairs · Step 5 of 10
In this video
Begin marking the stringer. The video suggests starting from one end of the board and marking the first riser cut to maximize material. Then, flip the framing square to mark the first tread angle. For subsequent steps, carefully align the square by placing the previous marked line perpendicular to the edge of the square at the 10-inch mark. This ensures accuracy, as relying solely on visual alignment can lead to errors due to natural inconsistencies in lumber. Continue marking the triangles for each step along the entire length of the stringer. As a beginner, it's easy to forget to account for the thickness of the first tread. To correct this, the first riser should be reduced by 1 1/2 inches (the thickness of a 2x material). For example, if your riser is 7 3/8 inches, the first riser cut should be 5 7/8 inches. The top step also needs consideration to ensure it's not too short. For added precision, the video suggests using a nail to create a tick mark at the exact corner of each step's layout. This tick mark will serve as a consistent reference point when moving the square or using a tape measure to verify distances. Use a construction calculator to find the diagonal length of each step (e.g., 7 3/8" rise, 10" run gives 12 7/16" diagonal). Then, use a tape measure to mark these cumulative diagonal distances along the bottom edge of the stringer. This visual check confirms the accuracy of your square markings.