More Stairs

Attila visited the house site today and took the photos below.  Kyle and Dave continue their work on the staircase — cutting the stringers (three for each run of stairs), screwing these securely to the walls and beams, and then attaching the treads.  Of the tasks remaining to complete the house, this is the most complex.  Stairway construction involves not only working with wood, but knowing the math to build a run of stairs with the proper pitch (slope), which in turn requires tread and riser dimensions which conform to code and therefore are safe to use.

In this case, the stairway is "open" — that is, it has a rise (the distance from tread to tread), but it has no risers (the vertical boards).  Since risers contribute to stability, their function is assumed by a third stringer mounted in the center of the stairway.  The absence of risers allows light from the stairwell windows to shine through.  Although this is not a true "floating" stairway, it comes pretty close.

Dave pauses in his work on a stringer.

The stringer from the landing to
the second floor overlaps a bookcase.

Two stringers are in place (on left)
and a third will soon join them.

The stairway is "open,"
but it doesn't "float."

Kyle told me this morning that he and Dave expect to complete the staircase and install the countertops by tomorrow.  The subcontractor who will finish the oak flooring and install carpeting starts tomorrow and will complete his work by Sunday.  Since Dave and Kyle can't be around during the floor finishing, they will come back to Grand Haven for the weekend.  On Monday the plumber will arrive to install the plumbing fixtures and we will be into our final week. •••