On Aug 11, 8:40 am, Phil Again wrote:
On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:56:06 -0700, stratford1 wrote:
I'm building a set of stairs on my deck and CANNOT seem to find a
straight answer on this. I'm using closed outside stringers spaced 36"
and will use metal tread brackets to attach two 2x6 treads for each
stair. Some info I've found says I DO need a third stringer in the
middle for support...others have suggested I DO NOT need a third
stringer as long as my span isnt longer than 36". Any suggestions on
this? Will my 2x6s hold up ok or should I do the third stringer
regardless to make my stairs stronger?

Did you ask you local building inspector's office if they have any
spacing requirements for stair stingers?

Phil

A few years ago I was building a deck with steps very much like the
OP's, except using 2-by cedar and with wooden cleats under the ends of
the steps. Doing it to code, permits, inspectors, the works. Local
code very specifically said 3' of 2x material was ok with no stringer.
When I took the permit app in I deal with a couple of older guys who
seemed to know what they were doing; one of them drew a line down the
middle of the steps and said, "you need a stringer there". I said code
didn't say so, and he said, "yeah, but it'll bounce, put in a
stringer." So I did. Lot more work, since the steps were faced onto
the two side stringers I hadn't done any of the design work on cutting
risers and steps out of a stringer (it was a non-stock rise/run), and
had to get a cedar 2x12. But it made a nice job.

Bottom line: if you're wondering about, put it in. Bouncy steps will
leave a shoddy impression in people's mind, even if the rest of the
job is top-notch, and designing a stringer for a custom stair is an
interesting and satisfying exercise.

Chip C
Toronto