oldwoodie Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 I am in process of replacing complete set of outside steps. The tread are 48" long and will have seven. Do I need a center support. I have two already sawed out, and I don't think I need a center one. They are 2"x12" and are about 7' long. If I need to, I could nail vertical supports in place instead of third support. d FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Three stringers would be good. FlGatorwood, kmealy, Gunny and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 for the first year or so, you wouldn't see much droop, but over time the 48" span would sag. why take a chance? FlGatorwood and Gunny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thuman Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Please check your local inspector or standards. 3 is the requirement >36" around here. FlGatorwood and Gunny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 One extra cost next to nothing compared to having to go back later and do it over.. steven newman, PeteM, steamshovel and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwoodie Posted June 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 I used three, although I do not believe it would have made any difference. Why take a chance! steven newman, p_toad, Gene Howe and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danl Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 I believe code in my area would require qty 4 for 2x tread material. If you are using composite matl for the treads you will have to consult the mfg. Some matl require spans to be 12" or less for stairs. Danl steven newman and FlGatorwood 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 44 minutes ago, Danl said: I believe code in my area would require qty 4 for 2x tread material. If you are using composite matl for the treads you will have to consult the mfg. Some matl require spans to be 12" or less for stairs. Danl With a 48" span, four would be over kill, I'd think. steven newman, FlGatorwood and Gunny 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 (edited) Stair stringers should be 16" on center just like the deck floor. Three stringers would be fine for 36" wide stairs. Hear is a link to decks.com https://www.decks.com/how-to/69/deck-stair-stringer-layout This means you will need to install a minimum of four stringers on any stairway wider than 36”. Always check the maximum span for your decking material as it applies to stair treads. Edited June 13, 2019 by HandyDan FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Our deck stair treads are 48" wide, each made of two 2x6 redwood decking boards, for a 12" deep tread. We used 3 stringers and, it's worked well for 11 years. Passed inspection, too. Though, our codes my not be as stringent as some. FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 Definitely go with three . Not a lot of extra work and you'll be glad you did. FlGatorwood and Gunny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 11 hours ago, Gene Howe said: With a 48" span, four would be over kill, I'd think. Okay I admit it, I would do 4..... FlGatorwood and PeteM 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven newman Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 36" wide Too wide a span makes for "bouncy" steps....that start to work fasteners loose. Gunny, steamshovel and FlGatorwood 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 4 minutes ago, steven newman said: Too wide a span makes for "bouncy" steps....that start to work fasteners loose. Make it out of concrete no more bouncy stairs. FlGatorwood and steven newman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven newman Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 BTDT....@ $28/hour...... One of the first jobs on a new jobsite...was to build the steps and a deck for the job trailer/office....sometimes even had to build the steps out of the tool trailer, too. FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 56 minutes ago, steven newman said: .sometimes even had to build the steps out of the tool trailer, too. I need a sloped entrance to my deck. Rise is about 2 1/2 inches over 4 feet. FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 9 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said: I need a sloped entrance to my deck. Rise is about 2 1/2 inches over 4 feet. Itsy bitsy risers? FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven newman Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 8 hours ago, Gene Howe said: Itsy bitsy risers? Called a "RAMP", actually... FlGatorwood and Gunny 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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