Stairs are daunting for some carpenters, but a set of stairs is one of those projects that remains in prominent view, so it’s important that the finished craftsmanship is of the highest quality.
I recently had the opportunity to help a homeowner with the stairs he was redoing. The flooring contractor was installing new treads, but he did’t know how to do the risers or skirts. So I was called in to do the carpentry for the new treads.
Carpenters often drop skirts against the wall and butt the risers into the skirts. This may be quick and efficient, but it tends to create gaps where the treads and risers meet. You will see these gaps every time you walk up the stairs.
There are a variety of methods for doing skirts and risers, but the overall best technique I have learnt is to install the risers first.
Next level and trace for each riser, insuring all the risers are consistent in measurement.
Then cut the notches at a slight back cut into your skirt boards to go around the risers.
After cutting the skirt boards, you nail the skirt in place.
I like to add construction adhesive behind the wall and risers when I nail it into place. I also drill a hole through each framing stringer and sink a screw into the skirt tails when the treads are installed to help keep a snug fit.
Once you learn this method, stairs become more craftsmanship like.
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