ᐅ Questions and Experiences Regarding Steel Stringer Staircases
Created on: 12 Aug 2013 14:05
T
tuxedoHello everyone,
For the house we are building this September, we have fallen in love with a flat steel stringer staircase (1 story, straight, 16 solid oak steps, glued parquet). I already have several offers, ranging between 5000 and 8000 EUR.
One of them is from a metalworker we know from the local area.
The offers mainly differ in the exact design (basically all similar) and the thickness of the steel stringer. The cheapest offer has a 10mm (0.4 inch) thick stringer. The most expensive one as well. The mid-priced one, from our acquaintance, uses 12mm (0.47 inch).
His argument: 10mm (0.4 inch) would flex or sway, so it wouldn’t feel secure to walk on; it would wobble somehow. He never installs anything below 12mm (0.47 inch) and is not really willing to negotiate on that.
The cheapest offer (the company gives a good impression and came recommended) uses 10mm (0.4 inch) as I said. I asked them what the price difference would be for 12mm (0.47 inch).
The sales representative called me back earlier and asked why I wanted 12mm (0.47 inch). I tried to explain. He said okay, he can offer it, but it would be money wasted. He once designed a flat steel stringer staircase with massive granite steps (instead of 4cm (1.6 inch) wooden steps) and calculated stringers with a thickness of 20mm (0.79 inch) due to the weight. His structural engineer then revised it back to 10mm (0.4 inch). That would be sufficient. In the end, they built it with 10mm (0.4 inch) stringers, and it didn’t flex or wobble at all.
Now my question to the group:
Regards,
Alex
For the house we are building this September, we have fallen in love with a flat steel stringer staircase (1 story, straight, 16 solid oak steps, glued parquet). I already have several offers, ranging between 5000 and 8000 EUR.
One of them is from a metalworker we know from the local area.
The offers mainly differ in the exact design (basically all similar) and the thickness of the steel stringer. The cheapest offer has a 10mm (0.4 inch) thick stringer. The most expensive one as well. The mid-priced one, from our acquaintance, uses 12mm (0.47 inch).
His argument: 10mm (0.4 inch) would flex or sway, so it wouldn’t feel secure to walk on; it would wobble somehow. He never installs anything below 12mm (0.47 inch) and is not really willing to negotiate on that.
The cheapest offer (the company gives a good impression and came recommended) uses 10mm (0.4 inch) as I said. I asked them what the price difference would be for 12mm (0.47 inch).
The sales representative called me back earlier and asked why I wanted 12mm (0.47 inch). I tried to explain. He said okay, he can offer it, but it would be money wasted. He once designed a flat steel stringer staircase with massive granite steps (instead of 4cm (1.6 inch) wooden steps) and calculated stringers with a thickness of 20mm (0.79 inch) due to the weight. His structural engineer then revised it back to 10mm (0.4 inch). That would be sufficient. In the end, they built it with 10mm (0.4 inch) stringers, and it didn’t flex or wobble at all.
Now my question to the group:
- What is your experience with (straight) flat steel stringer staircases?
- 10mm (0.4 inch) or 12mm (0.47 inch) thick stringers?
- Besides the anchoring at the floor or at the landing: Is your staircase also anchored to the wall?
- Any experiences to share?
Regards,
Alex
B
Bauexperte12 Aug 2013 21:50Hello Alex,
what exactly am I supposed to understand by a "flat steel stringer staircase"?
Regards, Bauexperte
what exactly am I supposed to understand by a "flat steel stringer staircase"?
Regards, Bauexperte
B
Bauexperte13 Aug 2013 09:49Hello Alex,
Yes, it is. I just wanted to make sure we are referring to the same staircase design.
I would pass this question on to the structural engineer; only they can specify the exact required thickness of the stringer based on their calculations. Typically, the stringers run along the sides of the steps.
Regards, Bauexperte
tuxedo schrieb:
I thought the term was well known in the construction industry?!
Yes, it is. I just wanted to make sure we are referring to the same staircase design.
tuxedo schrieb:
For our house being built in September, we have fallen in love with a flat steel stringer staircase (one floor, straight, 16 steps made of solid oak, glued parquet). I already have several offers ranging from 5000 to 8000 EUR.
Now my question to the group:
- 10mm or 12mm thick stringer?
I would pass this question on to the structural engineer; only they can specify the exact required thickness of the stringer based on their calculations. Typically, the stringers run along the sides of the steps.
Regards, Bauexperte
Hello building experts,
Thank you for the feedback.
We are buying the house from A and the staircase from B1, B2, or B3. "My structural engineer" is from A. He is not familiar with the staircase, so he cannot comment on it. I have to rely on what B1, B2, and B3 say.
B1 sells the staircase with a 10mm (0.4 inch) thick stringer
B2 sells the staircase with a 12mm (0.5 inch) thick stringer
B3 sells the staircase with a 10mm (0.4 inch) thick stringer
All staircases are the same length, have the same number of steps (made from the same material and thickness), and almost the same railing.
B2 is of the opinion that 10mm (0.4 inch) is absolutely not sufficient: it flexes, it feels "weird" to walk on, etc. They insist on their 12mm (0.5 inch).
B1 and B3 argue in favor of the 10mm (0.4 inch) stringer because their structural engineers say 10mm (0.4 inch) is sufficient. Everything is stable and does not flex.
Since I do not expect straight steel stringer staircases over one floor to be significantly different, I wanted to ask you (those who might already have such a staircase) how it is with you:
* What thickness does your (straight) steel stringer staircase have?
* 10mm (0.4 inch) or 12mm (0.5 inch) thick stringer?
* Besides the anchoring at the bottom on the floor or top at the landing: is yours also anchored to the wall?
* Any experiences?
Regards,
Alex
Thank you for the feedback.
We are buying the house from A and the staircase from B1, B2, or B3. "My structural engineer" is from A. He is not familiar with the staircase, so he cannot comment on it. I have to rely on what B1, B2, and B3 say.
B1 sells the staircase with a 10mm (0.4 inch) thick stringer
B2 sells the staircase with a 12mm (0.5 inch) thick stringer
B3 sells the staircase with a 10mm (0.4 inch) thick stringer
All staircases are the same length, have the same number of steps (made from the same material and thickness), and almost the same railing.
B2 is of the opinion that 10mm (0.4 inch) is absolutely not sufficient: it flexes, it feels "weird" to walk on, etc. They insist on their 12mm (0.5 inch).
B1 and B3 argue in favor of the 10mm (0.4 inch) stringer because their structural engineers say 10mm (0.4 inch) is sufficient. Everything is stable and does not flex.
Since I do not expect straight steel stringer staircases over one floor to be significantly different, I wanted to ask you (those who might already have such a staircase) how it is with you:
* What thickness does your (straight) steel stringer staircase have?
* 10mm (0.4 inch) or 12mm (0.5 inch) thick stringer?
* Besides the anchoring at the bottom on the floor or top at the landing: is yours also anchored to the wall?
* Any experiences?
Regards,
Alex
Similar topics