Evening star., 1923-11-10
PROPER STAlRWAYS
HAVE NO SQUEAkS
Important Features Of Construc-
tion, However, Are Often
Overlooked.

The Importance of the proper things
20 watch in the construction of stair
ways Is often overlooked by the aver
age home builder-if you get your
stairway built right it will not need
shock absorbers or anti-rattlers.
Stairs go wrong on other matters
than suueaks. When they become
dangerous to life and limb the mere
fact that they sound as though they
might decompose under your very
feet becomes a fact of relative un1m-
portance. The squeak gives proof OF
faulty building. but convenience and
safety are matter of design.
Probably the most obvious thing
about a stairway Is how easily IT, can
be climbed. You probably couple
steepness with difficulty in climbing,
but these two things do not neces- s.
properly designed, may take less ef-
fort to ascend than one that has a
very low ascent. The thing is all In
the matter of width of tread to height
of riser.
Simple Rule Applies to Stairs.
Architects have found a very simple
rule OF thumb that applies very well
to stairs in homes. 1t goes like this:
Take twice the height of the riser,
plus the width of the tread-from
nosing to nosing-and the result must
lie between "a and 25. Thus for a
Finch riser we get by equals IA;
% minus II equals II. That is the
preferred width of tread. If 10-inch
tread is wanted, then rs minus 10
equals Is; Is divided by equals 71a. a
10-inch tread and 7h-inch rise make
q good combination.
Have the treads and the risers all
of the same width throughout the en-
tire house-excepting perhaps in
those leading to the attic. If there is
any difference in the treads and riSers
of different stairways-look out for
accidents.
Another thing about designing of
stairways has to do with head room.
1t is better to have n few feet less
closet space or halfway in the second
story than the feeling every time you
come downstairs that you must duck
your head
And then the matter of squeaks!
Properly constructed, the stairs are
q part of the fittings of your home
like bookcases, china closets and man
a unit and fitted into position after
they have been assembled, like a
great piece of furniture.
Good Furniture Not Nailed.
Good furniture is not nailed to-
gether The pieces are fitted into
each other and made secure with
wedges. blocks and glue. That is the
way to build a stair. Not a nail
should be used-eXceptinE perhaps as
a temporary measure. Such a stair
will not grow garrulous at the wrong
moment.
What supports it? 1t supports it
self. To be sure, there are carriages
below, like floor joints set at an an
gle, but these are not connected to
the treads or risers with nails. If
the stairs go up between walls the
carriages count only as steadyinG
influence. If it is open on one side
they then do heavy duty. 1t is evil
dent that these carriages must be
adequately supported. The proper
way is to run them into headers at
the first floor and at the landing
above.
The open stairway is much more
expensive than the between-waIls
type, and it has also Il much finer ap-
pearance.
In the old days there was special
kind OF mechanic known as a stair
builder" He was an expert in wood
working and joinery and he built
stairs for keeps. Today much OF the
best work is done by the woodwork
ing mills A least the most impor-
tant parts are built up bodily at the
mill and moved into the house to be
Set into place.
If you mean to have your stairway
an ornament to your home, see that
il is gracefully designed, and then, If
you expect to have IL remain a lorg
time in good condition, pay the price
tor good workmanship and materials.