The Framing Square

What Do We Do with the Stair Gauges

We use the framing square to layout the stair stringers. The length of the tread is on the right side of this picture which we'll set up at 10 inches on the framing square. The riser is on the left-hand side which we will set up at 7 15/16 inches. As you can see on the right next to the 10 inch we have already drawn our first step. In the picture below we are using stair guides to help us with accurate tread and riser layout.

Add a Dynamic Design Accent to Your Home with the Right Staircase

by: Aldene Fredenburg

Stairways are a wonderful thing. They suggest a path to things unseen, hidden destinations, secret lives. If you have a multistory home or are planning to build one, take a few minutes to think about the stairs. By choosing to include a beautiful stairway instead of a mundane one, you can change your home atmosphere from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you choose filigreed iron, steel, glass, or traditional hardwood, the right stairway for your home can serve as a compelling design accent, the focal point of a room, at once utilitarian and beautiful.
If you have an urban industrial loft, you may be thinking of taking one large, high-ceiling room and creating a number of living environments on different levels. If so, you'll be incorporating a bunch of staircases. You may even be lucky enough to have an existing industrial staircase made of rugged steel. If so, you have a decision to make. Are you aiming for a high-tech industrial look, with stainless steel commercial kitchen appliances and exposed electrical and plumbing elements on the ceiling? Then your steel staircase fits right in. If you're looking to emphasis natural colors and textures, however, a sort of Zen retreat, you might want to incorporate the natural beauty of hardwood stairs into your design. A straight, sturdy staircase leading to the upper levels can make a powerful statement; a curving stairway winding around the center of your loft adds elegance and a feeling of flow to your environment.
Historical homes, particularly in the eastern U.S., almost demand the inclusion of hardwood stairs. Your antique home may have a staircase in need of repair, or the existing staircase may need replacing. Either way, you'll need the services of a company specializing in custom-designed staircases. In fact, whether you're creating your own unique home or restoring an antique home, custom designed and built staircases are a must because of the exacting nature of the measurements required.

When you go looking for a company to build your staircase for you, make sure you choose a firm with an experienced staff of designers. A designer should be willing to visit the site, take the appropriate measurements, and present you with design suggestions and advice on materials and costs, as well as troubleshoot the site and the design for possible problems.
They also should be willing to supply you with detailed photographs of their work for other clients. Who knows? You may find inspiration in these photos and use them as a jumping off point for your own creative ideas.

About The Author
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics. She has published numerous articles in local and regional publications on a wide range of topics, including business, education, the arts, and local events. Her feature articles include an interview with independent documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and a feature on prisoners at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.

Building Pernits

Permits, When Do You Need Them For A Remodel?

If you are doing a remodel or an addition to your home, you will want to check with your city to find out what type of permits you will need. Each city will have different codes so you will need to check with your specific municipality before you begin your project. By complying with your local building codes you should be able to maintain the integrity of your home, meet building codes, and preserve resale value.

To get you started, here's a basic list of projects that usually require building permits.
 Adding a room.
 Building, tearing down, or moving a garage, shed, carport.
 Cutting new windows or door openings, or widening existing openings.
 Adding, moving, or taking out walls.
 Building retaining walls.
 Remodeling that requires moving existing plumbing.
 Re-roofing when a complete tear off and re-sheathing is required.
 Adding stairways.
 Building raised decks.
 Installing fans, exhausts, vents, or appliances that must be vented.
 Installing wood stoves, fireplace inserts, pellet stoves, and any required venting.
 Installing or changing any permanent electrical device or wiring, including conversion from fuse box to circuit breakers.
 Installing low voltage systems such as security systems or computer networks.
 Replacing water heaters or changing plumbing as well as any new plumbing installations.

This is just a short list of the various types of permits your city may require. Remember, each municipality has different requirements for distance, heights, sizes, and so forth. For example, the building code in one town may mandate a permit for any deck more than 30 inches above grade while another may say 36 inches. The exact specifications could be very important and have safety factors involved while others are just arbitrary.

Some areas will require that you get the work inspected before you cover the work. For instance, if you are doing electrical work in a wall, you will need to have it inspected before the drywall is put in place. Plumbing is very similar. Make sure you get the permit required and have the proper inspections done during and after the project.

Additionally, you will want to put the building permits in your name. If you allow the contractor to pull all of the building permits, you could have problems later if you have to fire the contractor or he is unable to complete the project. A building permit is often issued in a person's name and if your contractor leaves before the project is done, you may be required to get a new building permit.

Many cities allow homeowners to do the work themselves without necessarily getting permits. Keep in mind though that it's vital for you to adhere to city codes anyway. Too often a homeowner makes changes without the required permits. Later when they go to sell, they are unpleasantly surprised that the sale can't proceed until the work is brought up to code. Fixing the work or bringing it up to code can cost thousands of additional dollars that could have been avoided at a significantly cheaper cost.

For specific information, contact your local building department for details that pertain to your area and project. You can usually find the right department by calling your local city government.

In summary, permits are not always required, but when you do a remodel, you will want to check with your local municipality to find out what permits are required. It is suggested that you keep the permits in your name and make sure that all of the work has the proper inspections before completion. Failure to properly adhere to building codes can be costly to correct.

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