Discussion Forum
Hello,
I am building a stairway and landing from the back yard to the back porch. I have attached 2 drawings
of the floor plan view. I intend to make it a self-supporting structure, using 4x4s that run from the
foundation to the handrails. A 2×6 rim joist let-in 1″ to the posts will support the floor. The poured
concrete basement stairwell wall will make up the left side of the foundation, while three 8×48″ concrete
piers make up the left side. The driveway angles into the yard, forcing the stairs to be set at angle.
This requires a fifth pier and post to support fifth edge of the landing.
I have a few questions before I start digging holes:
1) Do I need a full concrete slab below the stairs? It probably would be more neat than dirt below, but
also more work.
2) Assuming I do have a full slab, do I need expansion joints between the piers and slab?
3) Do I need rebar/remesh?
4) Assuming I do have a full slab, I assume that I will need to pour the piers one day then, once
cured, firmly backfill the pier holes before pouring the slab. Otherwise I would have settling
below the slab.
5) What is the maximum height between the landing and the finish floor height of the porch? Or is
the measure to the top of the threshold? Can this be a full stair (7.75″) high?
Thanks
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Fine Homebuilding is excited to be the official media partner of the 2024 Building Science Symposium series! This event offers builders, tradesmen, architects, designers and suppliers to discuss topics ranging…
Featured Video
Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With ViewrailHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.