Tips/Techniques Staircase structural question

[slow-poke]

Based on common sense, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this question, but I will ask anyway.

Staircase with stringers 16" on center.

Am I correct to assume the risers are not relied on or even required for that matter WRT the structural requirements of the staircase?

That's not to say they wouldn't make the staircase more solid.

The reason I'm asking is that the Trex material provided for the risers is thinner than the original cedar risers and while tall enough to fill the gap, is shorter than the original risers such that it will not be tall enough to be loaded top to bottom as the original cedar risers were.

 

[phaxtris]

I assume you are talking about these facia boards ? Not typically structural on a wooden stair

 

[Susquatch]

Am I correct to assume the risers are not relied on or even required for that matter WRT the structural requirements of the staircase?

As @phaxtris says, not required. But I think they are a good idea.

When you drop something on a stairway, it always ends up rolling behind the stairs and you gotta go make love to some spiders to retrieve it. No fun at all. They have this nasty habit of eating their lovers.

I've also seen people trip on a step somehow and get a leg caught on the backside with nasty consequences.

I prefer the risers. They don't have to be Trex. Paint them! Do a mural! In fact, paint some hungry spiders on them! But no, they are not required.

 

[jorogi]

Ha ha, I noticed you didn't suffix your title with "simple" this time. You learn fast Grasshopper.

 

[Mcgyver]

Ha ha, I noticed you didn't suffix your title with "simple" this time. You learn fast Grasshopper.

In a machining context, "simple" shall only be used as prefex by the, let's say uninitiated, when requesting a machining favour. It is strong warning sign of "Danger Ahead". Look the other way, and keep walking at a brisk pace.

 

[slow-poke]

In a machining context, "simple" shall only be used as prefex by the, let's say uninitiated, when requesting a machining favour. It is strong warning sign of "Danger Ahead". Look the other way, and keep walking at a brisk pace.

As I was typing simple, even my internal warning bells were ringing. Ignoring the adjacent board issue that Susquatch brought to my attention. The original question was actually pretty darn simple.

That being said, when I was running my electronic design consulting firm, I would get the odd call from what I would characterize as: young, clueless and usually with a get rich quick mentality.

Opening was often something like this:
I designed a special smart watch and I need a little help getting it to market, can you help me?

In broad strokes can you tell me more about your design?

Well it's a smart watch with a built in video camera, high speed internet, GPS and it plays games as well.

Hmmm interesting so do you have a working prototype?

Well not quite, but I have conceptual sketches. Do you think you could tidy up the details and get it into production, I was thinking of a production cost around $20

 

[Susquatch]

Hmmm interesting so do you have a working prototype?

Had to laugh. I had a similar role at my employer. All the outside inventions went over my desk for screening. If I had a nickel for every perpetual motion machine - runs on water, spontaneous lightning, minus friction, super metal 2x as hard as diamond, etc etc.

Once in a while something made sense. Then the real fun began. Sometime questions like yours. More often it started with "Just give me 20 million up front and then I'll answer all your questions.....