Building a Large Staircase and How to Layout a Stair Stringer

In this video of building a large staircase, I show you how I layout a stringer. It's simple math and if you use the right tools, it is quite easy. There are also some other tips and techniques I show while laying out the stringers, so check it out and share with a friend. You never know when you need to build a large staircase right?

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[RRBuildings]

I know it may not be super fancy, but I think the insight or tips I share should be able to help you build any stair case. I've never done a curved stair...maybe that could be next. Anyone have a good resource for that?

[akmccutcheon]

really hope those people up north appreciate this level of detail b/c we are missing a lot of this down south, hard to find someone who takes pride in their work like this.

[JBLewis]

We built a deck late this summer, and we watched a LOT of videos about laying out stair stringers. We struggled a bit, but eventually got it right. I wish this video had been available then! This is by far the best explanation of laying out stair stringers that I've seen! The Diagonal tip is brilliant!

[jennymaguire]

I like the fact that you check the stringer using the diagonals at 6:20. A quicker way to use your calculator would be to enter 12-7/16", then press + then every time you press =, it will automatically add another 12-7/16" . This method eliminates the possibility of entering the wrong value at some point

[lukebellamy]

Love how you're all about the PPE a lot of contractors don't care about that stuff, worked 2 years for a contractor never once wore hearing protection, I'm 23 years old with hearing loss and constant tinnitus. Keep up the cool videos👍

[trade]

When you screwed those strings together my first thought was "there's no way he's doing that with a handsaw, surly!". Then you whip out the biggest skillie I've ever seen 😂😂

[james]

I've cut plenty of stringers but I've never thought to work out and mark the diagonal, I'm definitely doing that from now on. Legend.

[steveklampe]

Finally !!!! Somebody who adds that up !!! The absolute most accurate and best way to mark it out !!!! Thank you !!! Calc it out !! Perfection !! Well done !! I’ve watched so many videos on stairs and nobody does this !! That square is awesome !!

[TenBrs]

One thing you need to be carful of when using the construction master calculator for compounding measurments like stair stringers or balusters is that you have the resolution set to either 1 /32 or 1/64th. Default is 1/16 and that can get you in trouble building long stairs. Your measurments were only off by a 64th per riser so not that big a deal in 110 inches of overall rise but its always a good thing to check so you dont wind up being 3/4" off on your last rise.

[funnyfarmdad]

Thank you!! I’m a DIY guy and building stair stringers has always intimidated me. I’m about to take on a pretty big project similar to what you were working on there and with this video I’m pretty sure I can do this.

[kalebrowland]

I always use a 10.5” run which ends in a 3/4” nosing. I like how that looks, which just goes to show it is all about personal preference!

[miltonhurd]

I like using the diagonal method of stringer layout first. Once those lines are scribed the tread and riser lines can be done. Like you said, it reduces the error that can happen when scribing from step to step. Thanks for showing that!

[zephyr]

What you are trying to avoid is “Cumulative Error”! And the perfect remedy is a story pole and your Const Pro Calculator?
Gary Catz has a wonderful piece of this at “This is Carpentry TIC”
Kyle he suggest dropping on riser from the top to meet IRC “Code” and avoid cumulative error!
You would truly enjoy it Kyle!
Why?
Like me and Mr Catz, plus you and thousands of your viewers we hv a Bad Case of COCD????
Carpenter Obsessive Compulsive Disorder🥴
I really enjoy watching and learning from you! Keep it up Kyle!

[scottyim]

Thank you very much. Flipping the square edge was very helpful and the 1.5 from it. Now I understand. We are using composite decking and it’s only 1” thick so I subtracted 1” and it came out right. First timer. Thanks again

[bigdaddytheprofessor]

I love this video, I have been in construction a longtime. I have done concrete stairs and some wood stairs. I love the tools you have. You remind me of myself, always need the good tools and tight, strong work. Love the education brother. Great Job

[Steve-tjti]

I like to mark out my total diagngle length of my rise and run on my stringer. So when I get to the end I know I'm good. Never thought to do it step by step, might do it might not, but next time I do a stair case but it will definitely come to mind. Thought your video was missing a lot but I took that one thing from it. That made watching the video worth it.

[ToddHCNC]

When you do the rise and run in the calculator just press the (+) key once then the (= )key (the first time) then just hit the equals key to get the the following diagonals. The calculator keeps the decimal number in memory

[Alarmmanjjj]

your pride in workmanship is fantastic.
Wish you were in Ontario Canada. God Bless ... J

[kellyfredrickson]

Just remember if you're doing a more traditional stringer install that is not flush to the top of landing you must always deduct two dimensions:. Tread thickness off the bottom of stringer and riser material thickness off top tread width. Good job on the video!

[IvowtoTheemycountry-mynz]

I liked your presentation style, straight into the job without mindless waffle.