Building a three step stairs is an easy project to tackle, especially if you have carpentry skills. The general design is similar to building an enclosed stair case, but with only one landing at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can begin by calculating the height of your new stairs. Typically three steps will be 7” higher than the width of your opening such as a doorway or door frame. Once you know how high the new stairs should be, you can go ahead and build them using pressure treated wood boards.
Three-step stairs can be any size. The most common size is 3 feet in total length, with each step measuring 85cm (33 inches) wide by 60cm (24 inches) deep. This limits the number of steps you need to build a three-step staircase to four, with an additional support leg set directly under the landing and another running in the opposite direction so it mates with the landing’s tailboard at 90 degrees. Foundations for a three step stair should be built on closely spaced, level concrete footings. These can be of any size that complements the framing requirements. The steps and risers are made with 2×6 boards that are installed to the side wall in double horizontals. They are then secured at each end by using bolts inserted into holes drilled in the bottom of the post.
You or someone you know may be thinking about installing a three-step stair in your home, but this kind of project is not as easy as it looks. Here are some helpful guidelines to get you on the right track:
Decide on the placement and style of the stairs.
- Decide on the placement and style of the stairs.
- Find a staircase design that will work for your home.
- Measure and mark out stairs locations, then remove them once you have begun construction to avoid damage to existing walls.
Calculate the number of steps required.
- Calculate the number of steps required.
- Count from the top to the bottom: This will be your starting point for your calculations—the number of treads you’ll need to build your stairs based on how far from the ground they extend. For example, if you want stairs that begin at a height of 4 feet and end at a height of 10 feet, that’s 6 feet in total height (4 + 2).
- Count risers (vertical part): Now count each riser in your staircase. If we assume our previous stair example has two treads and one riser, then it would have three risers (two treads plus one riser).
- Add together the sum total of all treads plus risers to get an accurate measurement for building stairs: You can now add together all these figures to get an accurate measurement for building stairs based on this information alone.
Figure out the size of the treads.
Treads are the steps you walk on, and they need to be at least 10 inches wide. They also need to be at least 6 inches deep, 2 inches thick and no more than 2 inches shorter than the height of your stairwell.
The easiest way to measure treads is by using a tape measure and marking off your measurements with a pencil or pen. For example, if you want 14-inch wide steps that are 12-inches deep, draw lines at 14 inches apart as shown below:
You can also use another piece of wood as your guide for measuring where each tread will be placed in order to ensure that it’s level with one another:
Cut and place stringers.
Now that you’ve cut and shaped the stringers, you can place them into position using a power drill. Place a straight board across the bottom of your stairs and use it as a guide to accurately position your stringers.
Once they’re all level and in place, screw through the top of each stringer into the first step below. Use at least three screws per stringer to secure them tightly in place.
Fasten risers.
Next, fasten the risers to each of the stringers with a nail gun. If you don’t have a nail gun, use construction adhesive and drive screws into each riser where they meet their corresponding stringer. To do this, put the drill in reverse and screw it into one of your risers so that it doesn’t move while you’re hammering nails or driving screws in place. Use a hammer for nailing and screwdrivers for working with screws; both methods should be done on an angle to prevent splitting wood (use more force than necessary).
Insert treads.
Now that you have your stringers and posts, it’s time to add the treads. There are a few things to consider when choosing what type of treads to use.
- The first thing is the width of your stairs—you want them to be wide enough so that people can comfortably walk up and down them without tripping over each other or accidentally walking off while they’re distracted by their phones.
- Next, you’ll need to think about how long each step needs to be; this depends on how high up or down you want your stairs to go, as well as whether there will be any furniture in between steps that might make it difficult for someone else who is walking up or down at another point along that same flight of stairs (like when someone’s sitting on an armchair).
- Finally, we come back around again: thickness! This means making sure all three elements mentioned above are about 1/2″ thick so everything stays sturdy no matter how much weight gets put on top of them throughout its lifetime–and considering all those people clanging about upstairs every day (including yourself!), these numbers really add up quickly.
A three-step stair design is a popular choice for homes with small doors and shallow stairwells.
The three-step stair design is a popular choice for homes with small doors and shallow stairwells. It’s also a great option when you’re looking to create an open concept feel in your home by incorporating the ground floor with your living space on the second floor.
The steps themselves are shorter than traditional stairs but still allow you to access the second floor without compromising its aesthetics or functionality. This can be especially useful in areas with limited space, such as urban settings where homes are built close together or cramped basements that have low ceilings and need to maximize every inch of space available for storage purposes.
Final words
Once you’ve finished the project, you should have a stairway that is safe and sturdy enough for your family to use. However, if you are doubtful of your ability to complete this project on your own, it is best that you consult with a professional contractor who can help ensure that the job gets done right.
