Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

On Oct 8, 4:00*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:
Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Hard to tell from the pic, but isn't that the middle stringer for the
stairs?

"Sam Takoy" wrote in message
...

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

The municipal building code shows whether your existing
stairs conform to the code and what possible changes
the code would allow. The code may not be compulsory
for owner-occupiers (as it is for commercial landlords)
but is a good practical guide to safety. In some places,
building licence (permit) clerks are a good source of
free engineering advice.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On Oct 8, 4:00*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:
Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

The orientation of that picture is a little odd, but if I'm reading it
correctly it's a block to keep the stair tread/riser from flexing too
much. It's in a location where it could be the middle stringer as
Mike said, but I can't tell from here.

What I don't understand is what removing that block will do to
increase storage. It's up in the ceiling, right? I don't see how
weakening the stair to gain a miniscule amount of awkward and barely
accessible storage makes any sense at all. Explain what exactly
you're trying to do.

R

On Sat, 8 Oct 2011 13:00:32 -0700 (PDT), Sam Takoy
wrote:

Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

What is the white panel; what is behind it?

On Oct 8, 5:11*pm, "Don Phillipson" wrote:

The municipal building code shows whether your existing
stairs conform to the code and what possible changes
the code would allow. *The code may not be compulsory
for owner-occupiers (as it is for commercial landlords)
but is a good practical guide to safety. *In some places,
building licence (permit) clerks are a good source of
free engineering advice.

Hey Don. A plans examiner, or indeed any of the counter clerks in a
building department, are almost assuredly not engineers, as they'll be
the first to point out. In this particular instance with the OP's
question about the stairs, it's not a big engineering deal, but it's
dangerous to try to make a non-engineer into an engineer because the
price is right (free advice).

As far as what code requires, it will not apply to the OP's situation
as he is not changing the stairs - only looking to swap out a
support. The existing stair is acceptable as is, whether or not it
conforms to the current code. The only time compliance rework would
be required would be if substantial work was being done on the stair,
or a large percentage of the building as a whole was being renovated
(generally over 50%).

R

Sam Takoy wrote:
Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam
Hi.
How wide is the stair?

On Oct 8, 9:40*pm, Tony Hwang wrote:
Sam Takoy wrote:
Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Hi.
How wide is the stair?

About 32".

On Oct 8, 4:00*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:
Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Couldnt tell diddly about the pic but if you want a narrow stringer
you have to reinforce it with something stronger than wood. Steel
works great. When I added a french door in a load bearing wall the
header was speced out as being made of 2x8s but I didnt have that much
overhead room so I used 1/4 flat steel in the header and reduced to
the width of a 2x4. Inspector was happy with it.

Jimmie

On 10/8/2011 4:00 PM, Sam Takoy wrote:
Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Like several others said, it looks like a stringer to me, which
basically means don't mess with it, or the entire staircase will go
bouncy on you. Stairs can be re-engineered, but you would have to open
up the entire bottom of the staircase to see what is attached to what,
and doing what structural function. I'd just live with it- box it it
for a storage cubby if you want, and just deal with the divider in the
middle.

--
aem sends...

On Oct 8, 5:19*pm, RicodJour wrote:
On Oct 8, 4:00*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:

Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

The orientation of that picture is a little odd, but if I'm reading it
correctly it's a block to keep the stair tread/riser from flexing too
much. *It's in a location where it could be the middle stringer as
Mike said, but I can't tell from here.

What I don't understand is what removing that block will do to
increase storage. *It's up in the ceiling, right? *I don't see how
weakening the stair to gain a miniscule amount of awkward and barely
accessible storage makes any sense at all. *Explain what exactly
you're trying to do.

Thanks for not answering. It shows a willingness to ignore someone
trying to help you - that makes me feel ever so special. Sheesh.

I'll give you a hint only, as you made me do your work. Make the top
of the storage unit bear the load.

R

On Oct 9, 2:11*pm, RicodJour wrote:
On Oct 8, 5:19*pm, RicodJour wrote:









On Oct 8, 4:00*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:

Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

The orientation of that picture is a little odd, but if I'm reading it
correctly it's a block to keep the stair tread/riser from flexing too
much. *It's in a location where it could be the middle stringer as
Mike said, but I can't tell from here.

What I don't understand is what removing that block will do to
increase storage. *It's up in the ceiling, right? *I don't see how
weakening the stair to gain a miniscule amount of awkward and barely
accessible storage makes any sense at all. *Explain what exactly
you're trying to do.

Thanks for not answering. *It shows a willingness to ignore someone
trying to help you - that makes me feel ever so special. *Sheesh.

I'll give you a hint only, as you made me do your work. *Make the top
of the storage unit bear the load.


Hi,

Thanks for the response.

Yes it's kind of a stringer, but for single step. It's not a
staircase, per se, as it only consists of a single step and that one
piece supports it. It can be taken out by itself and there is space
for steel, as someone mentioned would be a good idea.

Does that change the recommendation?

Thanks again,

Sam

On Oct 9, 5:04*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:
On Oct 9, 2:11*pm, RicodJour wrote:









On Oct 8, 5:19*pm, RicodJour wrote:

On Oct 8, 4:00*pm, Sam Takoy wrote:

Hi,

Here's an odd space in my house under the stairs that I would like to
convert to storage:

http://freeboundaries.com/Stairs.jpg

There is that big triangular block in the middle that supports a
stair. I would like to replace that block with something smaller to
save the space. For example, I could put a steel bar across the whole
thing, or something like that.

The orientation of that picture is a little odd, but if I'm reading it
correctly it's a block to keep the stair tread/riser from flexing too
much. *It's in a location where it could be the middle stringer as
Mike said, but I can't tell from here.

What I don't understand is what removing that block will do to
increase storage. *It's up in the ceiling, right? *I don't see how
weakening the stair to gain a miniscule amount of awkward and barely
accessible storage makes any sense at all. *Explain what exactly
you're trying to do.

Thanks for not answering. *It shows a willingness to ignore someone
trying to help you - that makes me feel ever so special. *Sheesh.

I'll give you a hint only, as you made me do your work. *Make the top
of the storage unit bear the load.

Hi,

Thanks for the response.

Yes it's kind of a stringer, but for single step. It's not a
staircase, per se, as it only consists of a single step and that one
piece supports it. It can be taken out by itself and there is space
for steel, as someone mentioned would be a good idea.

Does that change the recommendation?

Nope. Stiffness requires depth. The easiest and cheapest thing to do
is to make a "sub-tread" under the existing tread, and have the
storage unit support it at either end. Two layers of 3/4" ply glued
and screwed together will give you all the support you need and take
up very little height.

R