How to Build a Counterbalance Staircase

This video illustrates how to build a retractable counterbalance staircase. This type of staircase is best used in small spaces like tiny homes, small cabins or other confined rooms or buildings.

[@chaoticgood3935]

Love that counter balance staircase! I will be using this in my build in 2022. Subscribed to learn a lot from your videos during my research phase. Thank you 👍🏻

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@nunyabizness3890]

LOL, I was just about to ask about another video to highlight the stairs, and here it is! Lovely cabin, cool stairs.

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Glad you liked it!

[@digitalguru42]

Great idea. I'm stealing this!

[@jerryf609]

I like your cabin, outhouse and stairs videos. Thanks for this. My son and I are working on remodeling a small cabin in northern Michigan. We might use your stair design for the loft. Might build another cabin like yours for overflow guests.

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Best of luck!

[@chrystalsabin4091]

Thanks for this video, very informative.

[@henryrodgers3409]

Thank you very much for doing this video . I must have watched your cabin building video at least 25 times . I never get tired of it . Every time I watch it I try to learn what you did here and there . In how you made your porch ( rafters ) and how you connected it to the cabin. Funny thing is I was just watching on you tube other people making a set of stairs for their loft and your video popped up . I love your idea . Question about venting your roof from the porch side . How did you do that seeing you installed metal roofing for the porch ceiling ? Thanks so much . Great video.

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Glad you like it. The roof rafters in front of the cabin run from the ridgeline all the way down to the front of the front porch in one straight run. The insulation is only inserted inside the rafters inside the cabin. On the front porch, there isn't any insulation, it is just rafters with steel roofing above. The ceiling on the porch is steel, but it is the vented soffit type and breathes so no issues with venting. Since the insulation is attached to the bottom 3/4 of the rafters inside the cabin, there is a gap between the top of the insulation and the steel roof. That same gap extends all the way down into the porch. Air can move freely from the front porch all the way up the roof to the ridgeline, and out thru the vents between the roof and the steel ridge cap. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project.

[@henryrodgers3409]

@@Michigan_Backwoods Thanks again . I really like your videos . Even the outhouse build .LOL

[@perpetualmotion8090]

Pure genius!

[@richardanderson358]

Zvery nice thank you. It was getting tough to keep looking at the few seconds from your original video.

[@mauso12012]

Excellent concept

[@Eeropolvasti]

Nice Staircase, could be done 6 or 8 inch blanks, why 12 inch, so heavy??, I might duplicate this into my Cabin, at Arctic Circle, Finland, have a similar Cabin there, at the River Ounasjoki. I would do this lighter, and needs, absolutely railing for safety, just outside though!! How is your 2 x 100 W Solar Panels working?? Enough power from 200 W? Is that battery size OK?? Thank you, nicely done, Greetings from South Florida, only 94 today ;o)

[@jamesoncross7494]

Very cool

[@ThisIsWilliamPhelps]

Simply awesome.

[@CringePanda]

Hi Bob, it's me again. I was wondering, what did you use as a stain/sealer for the T1-11 that you used for the interior wall panels? Thanks!

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

The T1-11 inside the cabin is untreated..........not paint or stain was used; it is holding up well!

[@johncritch6812]

Great idea !

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Glad you think so!

[@MitchHowes]

Hi. Thanks for the video. My stair case is currently on a wish system, but I would like to add a counter weight to relieve some of the strain on the winch. My question is, Where do one find the crimper/cable kit/ with pullys and what size cable and diameter fully do you recommend. Thanks

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

For your counterweight, just go to one of the big box stores like Lowes or Menards. They have a section that sells cable, pullys, as well as the cable clamps. I think I used 3/8" cable for mine. Good luck!

[@MitchHowes]

@@Michigan_Backwoods Thanks. I have successfully completed my project using gym machine cable (ball stopper end), pulls and carabiners. Works like a charm.

[@hootnannyhomestead8338]

Nice

[@danielash946]

You have the counterweight cable attached to only one of the stringers. Obviously this makes it easier to avoid when using the stair, but wouldn't it create a twisting force on the stair, especially with open risers?

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Daniel, the balance of the stairs with the counterweight is so slight that there is little to no twisting action. The steps square the stringers into one tight unit. This has not been a problem, no used >5 years. Thanks

[@durrettsyndrome]

Hey made a similar set of stairs copying this and the stringer attached to the cable/weight sits higher than the other tread by about 1/2” once down on the ground due to the weight being on that side. Any idea how to correct?

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

Dave, mine does not due that, both stringers sit upon the floor, but the weight on the non counterbalanced stringer is definitely heavier. I don't have an easy fix for you but I would think that your pivot point for the stairs is slightly different than mine, which I'm sure is hard for you to adjust now that it is built; or, my stairs weigh much more and it isn't a factor. If the problem is severe, consider two cables, one on each stringer, that would connect to a point on the wall to limit the obstruction.

[@declineofthewest.]

I’m building this tomorrow for a guy. Wish me luck!

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

I'd love to see the finished project! Let me know how it goes?

[@declineofthewest.]

@@Michigan_Backwoods Turned out nicely. I still have to figure out the pulley system (client wants weights hidden in wall) Wish I could post pics here.

[@cindydarling6093]

@@declineofthewest. I want to do the same and have the weights in the wall. How has this worked out?

[@timw3411]

Is that a solid 3.5” steel pipe and is there any concern of the pipe bending or stress bending due to weight of staircase and persons climbing it?

[@Michigan_Backwoods]

No, it is not solid, it is a hollow 3.5" pipe. Your concern is the same as my concern, and I worried about it, but thus far it has not been an issue and I've had people 250# go up an down. After 3 years I can say no bending!

[@timw3411]

@@Michigan_Backwoods that’s a solid test of time. Thank you for that.

[@densopimentel8049]

Ahahahahahahaha o caboco tem um trabalho da peste pra fazer uma casa e tem uma gambiarra de um baude cheio de pedras

[@CringePanda]

E dai?