Home Building And Repairs

This Won't Fool The Pro's, But Can Create Problems For Others - Incorrect Floor Plan Measurements


Let's see about some potential problems that can arise due to incorrect measurements in stairs planned for houses with less than 50 occupants. Greg, a professional stair builder, emphasizes the importance of checking all measurements before starting construction to avoid encountering issues with building inspectors and potential safety hazards.

Minimum building code requirements for stairs in houses with less than 50 occupants

Landing: 3 feet wide

Stairway width: 3 feet

Stair tread depth: minimum 10 inches (although it is recommended to verify the local building code as it can be 9 inches in some areas)

Challenges with building stairs according to the minimum measurements

Difficulty in accommodating finished materials like drywall and flooring due to the tight space.

Issues with building inspectors who might be looking for finished measurements.

Risky solutions to address the challenge

Splitting the difference in the landing: This might not be enough space after adding drywall and flooring.

Reducing the tread depth to 9.77 inches (or 9 and ¾ inches) to gain space for the landing: This is not compliant with the building code and can lead to safety hazards.

Verifying riser measurements: If there are mistakes in horizontal measurements, there’s a chance there might be errors in vertical measurements (riser height) as well.

It’s crucial to consider the thickness of all materials (framing, drywall, flooring) before finalizing the riser measurements.

Overall Greg emphasizes the importance of careful planning and adhering to building codes when constructing stairs. It discourages viewers from trying to outsmart building inspectors with risky solutions and recommends consulting a professional to avoid potential problems.

Additional Resources

How to Build Stairs


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