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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default Cellar stairs construction

    I’ve had a cellar built under my new extension and need to get some stairs set up. The access is via a trapdoor (approx 1200 long and 800 wide) in kitchen floor and currently I’ve just got a ladder down to the floor of the cellar. The overall height from cellar floor to the underside of the floorboards is approx 2800.

    I don’t think I’ve got the room to set up a flight of stairs which fully complies with the BCA rules for tread and riser dimensions as this wouldn’t give enough head height. Therefore I’d be looking at something more like a loft ladder which I’d hopefully be able to get past the building surveyor.

    Given that it has to be simple (and cheap), I’m looking at a getting a couple of pine stringers and using the same material for the treads (it would be open treads). So the questions:
    • Any suggestions on what thickness timber for the stringers and the treads?
    • Can I just use steel brackets to hold the treads to the stringers? For the brackets I was thinking of getting some angle iron and cutting to lengths
    • I’ve seen a lot of similar stairs with steel rods running under the treads holding the stringers together – this could be as well as or instead of the brackets- are these necessary?
    • Would I need to make a rebate in the stringers to slide the treads into or would the bracket be sufficient?
    thanks
    hJ

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Anyone got any thoughts on this? I'm keen to get this project started.

    Thanks
    hJ

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Behind that little door under the thicknesser...
    Posts
    44

    Default

    Any suggestions on what thickness timber for the stringers and the treads? stringer = 150x50 F7 OB hardwood, treads = same - make handrails running down the stringer using 1/2 gal pipe
    Can I just use steel brackets to hold the treads to the stringers? For the brackets I was thinking of getting some angle iron and cutting to lengths
    Yes - angle is fine - 50x50x3 gal
    I’ve seen a lot of similar stairs with steel rods running under the treads holding the stringers together – this could be as well as or instead of the brackets- are these necessary? Yes - it stiffens the structure. You can use the angle - run it in a triangular cross behind the treads
    Would I need to make a rebate in the stringers to slide the treads into or would the bracket be sufficient?
    the latter is fine
    Ours is not to reason why.....only to point and giggle.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Thanks very much.

    hJ

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