Building a staircase is a complex woodworking task, but the methods used to build them can vary wildly depending on where you are in the world. Today, we are going to explore how to build a set of winder stairs based on construction methods frequently seen in Russia and surrounding regions. It is important to note right away that this specific set of stairs likely would not be approved under United States building codes. However, looking at international methods provides a great opportunity to learn, compare, and eventually figure out how to build things better without breaking the bank.
For this project, we are building a 30-inch wide winder stairway. We will be using 1.5-inch material for our stair treads, 1-inch material for our risers, and standard 4x4 posts (which actually measure 3.5 by 3.5 inches).
SETTING UP THE POSTS AND TEMPORARY BRACING
The first step in assembling this staircase is laying out the posts. In this design, we use three posts secured directly to the surrounding walls, while a front corner post is held in place using temporary bracing. These temporary boards are crucial to keep everything lined up and plumb while you are building the stairway. Just make sure to install these braces out of the way of your other stair components. If you have to move them later, you can easily unscrew them and reposition them.
When aligning the posts, you will notice that even though they are set back slightly, the faces of the posts all line up in a straight grid. This precise alignment ensures the treads and risers will have a straight, flush surface to attach to as the staircase takes shape.
INSTALLING THE STRINGERS AND WINDER SUPPORTS
Next, we install the winder step supports. The lengths for these supports are determined by dropping a plumb line straight up from our base layout marks. Once the supports are in place, we move on to the lower stair stringers.
In this international method, the builders frequently glue pine materials together to create thicker structural pieces. They use a massive amount of adhesive to assemble almost every part of the stairway. Adhesive is applied under the stringers, behind the stringers up against the posts, and on every single riser and tread throughout the entire assembly. When installing the stringers, line the front of them up with your layout marks. While an architect or building designer might prefer a different layout method, aligning them with the back of the risers works perfectly for this specific build.
ASSEMBLING THE RISERS AND TREADS
With the lower structure in place, it is time to attach the risers and treads. A finish nail gun is typically used, placing about four nails per riser. Combined with the heavy use of construction adhesive, this provides a surprisingly strong bond.
The sequence of assembly is unique: the tread is placed first, and then the riser sits directly on top of the back of that tread. To provide extra support, notches are cut directly into the 4x4 posts. The treads slide into these notches and overhang the front of the risers by exactly one inch. As you reach the steep angle of the winder corner, the risers require mitered cuts so they can die seamlessly into the corner post without leaving large gaps. While the inch-and-a-half thick tread handles most of the support in this corner, adding extra screws underneath the tread into the thicker riser would be a smart structural upgrade.
UPPER STRINGERS AND STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
Moving to the upper stringers highlights a major difference between this method and standard US construction. Here, the stringers are not attached to a ledger board. Instead, they rely on a small half-inch overhang at the bottom and a lot of adhesive. In traditional framing, a ledger board provides crucial structural support. Without it, if the stringer wood shrinks or shifts over time, the staircase could face structural issues.
Additionally, there is no center stringer for support. The only support bridging the gap is the 1.5-inch thick tread. If this stairway were wider than 30 inches, this lack of center support would be a massive problem, requiring an extra joist or beam. However, within its regional context, staircases built just like this have lasted for decades.
CONCLUSION
Once the framing and assembly are complete, the staircase is finished by sanding everything down, applying wood filler to the gaps, and staining the wood. While the lack of conventional structural supports like ledger boards and center stringers might raise eyebrows in the United States, studying these international builds helps us understand different approaches to carpentry.
If you found this build interesting, let me know in the comments. We will continue to explore staircases from all around the world, and in future breakdowns, we will look at how to build the handrails and how to upgrade this exact design for maximum safety.
