How to Build Porch Stairs | Ask This Old House

[@taohuang359]

Tom is great! Reminds me of my dad. He built everything perfect and made it look easy. After he finished he would say “Just like Fort Knox”.

[@theupscriber65]

@7:39 the toe kick was installed crooked.

[@oluckyjim]

@@theupscriber65 No, it looks good. Solid job. Maybe stick to commenting on funny cat videos?

[@ma7rix13]

I usually say; “like a glove” or “good enough for government work” lol

[@corysturgis6660]

Good enough for the girls [insert name] dates. Lol

[@donaldquinn3610]

Without sounding to corny…You guys are a national treasure and real humanitarians. Thank you!! For the last 40 yrs. I am 61 and grew up with your show and I have loved would working and repair and building since Ive seen your show.

[@lees5097]

Tom Silva was born a master carpenter.

[@bobrunge7594]

The viewing public has been so fortunate to be served for so long by Tom Silva, Norm Abram, Richard Trathewy et al. Not only their abilities, but their attention to detail and safety abounds. We are lucky to live during a time we can all benefit from their knowledge.

[@nickwit5651]

Tom Silva has been 60 years old for 40 years

[@indeedmyson]

NickWit lol

[@dielauwen]

Youre right!

[@Okuninushi-p1e]

He doesn’t age past 60. EVER.

[@oldblackstock2499]

According to Google he was born in 1947. Currently in 2020 he is 73.

[@moosejuicepie2467]

Old Blackstock yeah, thank GOD you showed up!

[@brando6BL]

As a 67 yo bricklayer/master builder from the UK, I'm pleased to see an older man passing his hard-won knowledge on to the next generation, while helping out a member of his community by doing the job correctly. The rules (codes) regarding steps were created long ago, by builders, and are almost exclusively concerned with the safety of the end-users, ie the public. If steps or stairs have odd-sized risers there is a trip hazard. We might cause it a stumble hazard, as, if you are descending a strange flight of stairs with 7" risers and then encounter a 9" riser, then you are almost sure to lose your balance and fall forward. With a 5" rise in the mix, then there is a danger of jarring your foot and falling backwards. All this is only made worse in low light conditions. I might mention the elderly, the kids and the disabled as people who these rules protect especially. This is not "bs" unless it stands for building sensibly. A big thanks from me to the team who are presenting This Old House. More power to your elbow!

[@brando6BL]

should read "... We might CALL it a stumble ..."

[@jej3451]

You can correct typos in your comments. Just click the three dots in the upper right corner of the comment.

[@sleddy01]

That next generation is just a TV personality. He's not absorbing any of it.

[@johnsmith-wc8gs]

@@sleddy01 Kevin is far better than Bob Vila was. At least Kevin helps

[@sleddy01]

Bob Vila knew how to do this stuff. Kevin was a guy who called them into his home to fix stuff for him.

[@mtt5713]

Why are this videos so addictive?

[@GunFunforeveryone]

Nova Capital you right bro

[@Joseph1NJ]

Because we're men, we like to built stuff, use power tools, and hammers. The Tim Talor effect.

[@abbyealladountinabrown4363]

Matt e

[@rubenvarela4077]

Matt dont know

[@Gman6755]

Watching Tom display his expertise is what is addicting to watch!

[@flfl3969]

I am a licensed general contractor and Civil Engineer and Tom Silva is the best GC I have ever seen, bar none. His breadth of knowledge is just breathtaking and his hands-on skills and blue collar skills are amazing. All really good GCs learn to do most of the trade work themselves because they end up having to do it on jobs when they can't get trades in to do the work. Silva is an example of that.

[@aaqilian5.085]

No you’re not

[@DarthBalsamic]

I love how he sees that the stairs are uneven, not conducive to prothestics, and illegal. His mind is sharp. Good stuff.

[@alhdgysz]

And the script is even better....

[@theloneviking9145]

Different riser heights are not conducive to anyone. Even able-bodied people will trip because it’s a natural rhythm to climb stairs that have the exact same riser height. When you have something wonky like this which is all over the place in many homes you have an invitation for a fall.

[@DarthBalsamic]

@@theloneviking9145 Agreed.

[@Retnuh1974]

Great Job and thank you from America for providing this to her.

[@francismallard5892]

All of these people on TOH and ATOH are great presenters. Clear, concise. Just great. But Tommy I think is the best. His pacing, his cadence, his intonation, all of it. Just so clear and communicative.

[@hockeylilly]

Oh my. I would get caught on the bottom loop. My clothes, my purse, anything. Thanks for such an informative video.

[@dawood121derful]

I love watching Tom Silva, so skillful and experienced. I hope he is passing his sage wisdom on to others.

[@aaqilian5.085]

You literally just witnessed him doing that, you melt. Jesus, not too bright, huh?

[@happy5channel247]

I like the idea of the angled riser! thanks!

[@hassansaleh65]

You guys are amazing! It’s great that you guys helped out a member of the community like that. Keep up the wonderful work!!!!

[@Okuninushi-p1e]

Great job guys. Wish I saw how bottom post was mounted.

[@anonemous1046]

I've watched Mr Silva since Bob Villa was hosting. I've always admired his skill and knowledge. What I wouldn't do to have him help me with repairs on my house and Jesse James to help with repairs on my car!

[@saidtheblueknight]

Tommy: Alright let's get started. Kevin: Tools! Solid response my man.

[@leoleebirdevallativa8252]

Love u guys been watching you since I was a small boy and still watch today at 36 I've learned so much and continue to learn Everytime I watch thank you for all your great instructions and tips...keep up the great work....

[@peep39]

I like how they took it one step at a time

[@johnroberts9560]

Nice job Tommy & Kevin , I'm sure this woman really appreciates you rebuilding her some new & safer stairs with some handrails on both sides ! 👍😀🛠

[@smarthome2660]

My home was built in 1934 and my front door is 36" with 2 sidelites making it 6" wide. My stairs I built are 6" at the top and 10" at the bottom with curved side stringers and curved handrails. I had to make the curved stringers on a jig as they are not just an arc but in fact they are helical. Every place where a balister attaches is plumb. After I built the main stringers I transferred the cuts to the curved stringer and finished the treads. Then I built the curved handrails in place making them 2 1/4 " wide by 1 1/5" tall, I used pressure treated 1/8" stock and poly waterproof glue and galvanized trim nails to layer them. Then waited till the following year to seal them and paint. Right now they enter onto my 8' X 30' screen porch but I want to close the porch and extend my home into this space.

[@TomKaren94]

Questions not answered: How do you calculate the height of the treads? How do you select how many stringers to use? How do you connect the handrail posts to the ground? What angle was the backset on the risers? What was the width of the treads, and how do you select that measure?

[@marcryvon]

There is a tremendous tool now : Google ! Do your part to educate yourself, lazy !!

[@icewallowcomereet9058]

He looks and BOOM magic he knows what to do

[@mcswain69]

TomKaren94 TOH isn’t doing any 1 hour videos.

[@OlympusHeavyCavalry]

Hi peoples, you should do more for the disabled, elderly and poor. Cheers for the video, it brought a smile to my face being disabled myself :-)

[@tbuc2920]

I really like the trick when Tom clamps a piece of wood to the framing square. Makes for exact measuring.

[@jerrodbridgeforth4201]

These guys from these OLD House is heaven sent Lol

[@cakedesigner]

loved the video but you need to do another one showing how to calculate and cut the stringers in that angle. All I find are video's showing the 90 degree angles and this looks great and I would love to make one for my deck.

[@leoleebirdevallativa8252]

KatCasto they have videos on how to calculate stringers the right way just type how to calculate stringers on this old house...love these guys been a fan for over 25 years...

[@patrickcowan8701]

I actually have an app on my phone,I know cheating but it lets you try out multiple rise and run combinations for the best fit

[@anNaSoR911]

It is surprisingly difficult to find a good video or article explaining how to cut these types of stringers. This is the best I could do: The stair terminology for this type of cut is called an undercut. If you search for “How to Build Stairs (Larry Haun)” in the KZbin search bar, you can see how a professional carpenter does it. He will take you through the process for building stairs and show you how to make the calculations for building stringers. He doesn’t really explain how to make an undercut, but he will show you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/moPCq6mFmqh5faM&feature=share If you visit stairs4u.com/code/maximum_angle_of_the_stair_riser.htm, you can learn more information about undercuts by Greg Vander Berge. From what I gather, he is a contractor, specifically a professional stair builder. He puts out a lot of educational material on the do’s and don’ts of professional stair building, including several books. And If you visit Greg’s KZbin channel “stairbuilding” and watch the video “Examples of Possible Stair Building Code Violations - Tread Nose Projection,” you can better understand how to design stringers with an undercut while working within the parameters of the International Building Code (IBC). kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHjbq3xudsZkras&feature=share

[@MechanicalMikesRoadsideRepair]

I like this show so much...I'll be 18 soon but I've always watched these kind of shows since I was very young.

[@newenglandyankeeliving5052]

I’m a little older than you...ok a lot.... I’ve watched this show and norm abram my whole life

[@phil4v8]

Michael Lebert smart young man.

[@aljohnson3115]

Michael Lebert zxcxv c

[@mikei8220]

I'm 31 now but I started watching this show since I was 13 or so. I'm not sure if this show is still running on TV with new episodes but I still like watching episodes on KZbin.

[@gregtr82]

Same for me. So much so I got into construction. If you think its satisfying watching this, the feeling of completing something yourself is 10x better!

[@johngallagher9697]

Great, but we never got to see the layout of the stair stringers !!!!

[@yooper6161]

Blast from the past. I love how they always make it look so easy. It's never that easy....

[@johnmack4351]

I like the gloves Kevin is wearing, my wife has a pair just like them

[@MrJawnyNumFive]

@James Rogers 😄

[@cbalan777]

Your wife has man hands?

[@Mixwell1983]

So your wife is a trans ?

[@arbinnunez109]

Thank you for helping this women you guys are the best

[@johnbaptist7476]

It is just a joy to watch your shows ∞❤✟✡✟󾓦

[@robertsutphen2333]

Absolutely professional and first rate teachers !

[@arthurthornton9298]

A great program which I love to watch general home construction.

[@smartchip]

Made me happy that they helped someone in need :-)

[@joshuacamacho5060]

Tom Silva your the best...

[@mountainviews5025]

Hey guys you know I don't know this person at all but she seems extremely nice and I just wanted you two to know how much other people appreciate what you are doing for others and I/we and we meaning my family friends and employees we say thank you so very much for helping wonderful amazing awesome beautiful families and individuals out there in our beautiful country I've been a general contractor for over 35 years and I really would like to find out how I can get into this helping others if you'd share with me some information myself and others would really really appreciate it thanks for everything and thumbs up my friends

[@apostasiaelegcho5612]

Laying out stringers works best when you mark the diagonal, rather than eyeball the square. I see very few people do this. For example, if you're building stairs based on a 33" total rise, you'd build 5 risers at 6 5l8". Because a calculator naturally rounds this number, your end result would be a total rise of 33 1/8", which would put you over. By calculating the diagonal which doesn't round the number, you'd hit 33" even.

[@TheHeadlessHorseman]

When Tommy is doing anything with tool he exudes a confidence that is easy to see

[@aaronbarbacow9681]

im 13 and i know alot about carpentry and i this is where i learned it all

[@gangisspawn1]

Are you sponsored by festool?

[@aaronbarbacow9681]

@@gangisspawn1 no

[@kenc2257]

Very nice! Those stairs look great, and should last another 100 years or so. That custom-built handrail is the cat's meow.

[@Gungadin0112]

You guys are like artists very talented.

[@timepoet77]

That composite material is called Trex. We used it to build the back deck of my foster family's home.

[@arbinnunez109]

The masters at work love these guys

[@arthurrivera4230]

Wow i could be watching your videos all day long great job thank you

[@thaerthaer1870]

Lovely decor old house wood

[@georgekellems6615]

Tom Silva Excellent Job AMEN

[@hellobrandonscott]

That Festool 90-degree attachment is a life saver with some projects. Glad to see it in use on here!

[@kingraiderr]

Bless you Tom.

[@leonblack751]

The man is a Legend.

[@chuckfuller5083]

Working a project like this with Tom Silva would be a dream come true.😭

[@TheLightHouseBay]

Wouldn’t it be awesome to have him build your home ❤️❤️❤️ I can’t find anyone like him who does what he does ! He should have started a training school.

[@Ellis1127]

Awesome! You make this type of project look easy!

[@rawbacon]

Angle cut on the stringer was a good idea to eliminate the grabbing point.

[@josecordoba1757]

Tom is the Best carpenter

[@horatioswrld]

You can see Tom heart sink when she said she has tripped on the overhand. You can see the “I’m too late!!! THEY WOUDLDNT LISTEN!!!!” In his soul

[@mrNoBody_no]

Love to see such videos from this old house.. helping a person in need and creating knowledge base.. amazing

[@juliof970]

5:20. Nice plug for Boston Welding

[@jrippee05]

I know it is just probably me, but I don't like attaching anything like stairs to a ledger or joist without a spacer in between. I have learned the hard way over years attaching wood on wood; water gets between two pieces of lumber and the end result is usually wood rot.

[@MitchDurfeeOfficial]

That right there is the standard great work!

[@messianichebrewshawnkawcak1550]

I love how Kevin is always willing to help and get his hands dirty instead of just talking about it.

[@slackmartin7610]

7:29 boy it bothered me that the screw didn't go all the way in, I understand it though due to the uncomfortable angle.

[@thomasz4981]

Not as much as the toe kick at 3:36 bothered me.

[@stevevenn1]

Me too. Felt they should design the kit in a way to ensure scew can go in nicely. Design flaw it feels like.

[@swannyburger5866]

I like how they had her test the handrail.

[@stephencrutchfield2032]

Nice work filling in the rail

[@choppy8574]

God I love this channel. Explanations are so simple.

[@NumberOneChina]

Did they install the white posts? Nobody mentioned them

[@MindKontrolleProject]

Great job guys🙏

[@zachmiller4930]

Tommy is just.... sick with it.

[@josiahamaze]

The open railing at bottom. Isnt that illegal in terms of code?

[@williamoloughlin8298]

It's been 7 years and I'd guess those stringers are rotten by now. I didn't see any waterproofing on the cut timber ends or tread cutouts. I also didn't see any dampcourse bitumen tape on the underside of the kick plate going down on porous concrete. The timber looks like Radiata Pine which is a soft wood and rots more quickly, a prime paint coat with an antifungal component over the timber stringers and sills would be desirable. Her last step up onto the deck at the end shows a lot of flex in the deck board. Maybe consider putting in a dwang for more support?

[@eugenechurch6135]

Man this old house has every video

[@heatherpowers9597]

Composit treads, 45 the ends so u hv no exposed cuts

[@generessler6282]

Nice. I always wonder when I see stairs built like this if there's a good way to avoid the toe board bolted down to concrete. Seems likely first to fail by rotting.

[@arthurdduda8233]

Rock on guys always good stuff from you.

[@Handlehandlebars]

Very cool. Nice job. Suprised he didn't break down how to calculate the riser cuts

[@jamesrbu5]

Different video he does: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOtcqqjlNeNkJY

[@victordelgado7983]

These guys are amazing. Great work. Very good at what they do

[@stetsongray1975]

Most people measure twice and cut once. Tom Silva looks at a project and breathes good judgment into it.

[@MrJamesBanana]

I measure once, cut twice and then its still to short!

[@rubenvarela4077]

@@MrJamesBanana really

[@johnsmith-wc8gs]

@Kiss Myass yup. You know it's right because I did it twice

[@michaelesposito2629]

James Banana I cut twice and then I measure . But at least I have a good reason for my fails lol

[@singhA1968]

i always like to learn from you. means every day one episode .

[@mikejustice1196]

And that yellow pine won’t rot in two years?

[@knutbaardsen6437]

Wish you would have said what type of wood you used for stringers and showed how to layout the stringers.

[@poker4080]

Knut Baardsen it’s pressure treated lumber, and there are a ton of videos on how to make stairs.

[@KrDha68]

Please provide a link that demonstrates/highlights the math that is needed to determine how to cut the risers or if precut risers are an option.

[@machone7580]

Excellent work you guys!

[@jredd417]

Good to see Kev chipping in

[@rudycontreras9559]

I loved all this videos, I will love to have you guys working in my house

[@Naude716]

Beautiful build. I wish the video was a little more noobie friendly giving details like the angle cut for the stringers, but it gives me some ideas, at least!

[@quranquran1032]

Thank you tom

[@ourgreenworldhorizonmediae2071]

What was the angle unlike the 90 degrees he mentions at 2:18, on the stringer?

[@johnnyfeathers2567]

I would love to have anything built by these guys!

[@krap101]

The hand rail is beautiful

[@singhA1968]

as per science says when ever we climb up after one step next step automatic would like to climb up same Hight . its called chain of mind work . so all the the step must be in equal size . otherwise the to fall down is more .

[@Macron87]

Well done guys

[@msigala]

Handrails are required to turn back into post. Decay resistant lumber and corrosion resistant fasteners.

[@esam2017]

Great job 👍👍👍

[@ricks.1318]

NICE job, Tommy !!!!

[@GJRight]

They did a great job!

[@williamskrainski8407]

3:00 She'll step deeper on the tread and the result is it'll still be a trip point.

[@unwelcomemotivation]

yeah, the logic made zero sense, there. Why not just have regular 45's with longer treds? Don't get why the angled them which like you said is basically the same thing as a lip.

[@stevevenn1]

Other nitpicks from a non expert but why not use lag bolts instead of screws that can sheer in two instances of attaching to the porch? First instance seemed way under spec. Many people could be walking up at once better to over do it. Next, use a mallet on those plugs not a hammer. Next, uneven kickboard. Also tapcon screws were too short barely enough bite. Still overall great job and wonderful for this woman.

[@williamskrainski8407]

@@stevevenn1 You should shoot Tommy an email with your concerns.....report back what you find out.

[@stevevenn1]

@@williamskrainski8407 don't see any email, let me know if you find it post here.

[@gregorylondos534]

Decent video of new building materials being used. My concern is that There was “raw lumber” used, not “treated lumber” as the Sill plate That was placed directly on the concrete that you anchored in using “Tap-con screws... Shouldn’t you have also use some form of adhesive like liquid nails exterior to help hold the Sill plate down knowing that the “Tao-con screws could eventually rust away...? Please correct me if I’m wrong...? Greg

[@Emmanuel-rs7eu]

Good video but an explanation of how you calculated the measures for the steps would have been great!

[@jamesrbu5]

2 years later but here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOtcqqjlNeNkJY

[@cejkwo100]

The stringers were pressure treated!