LVL Stair System
Superstair
Premium quality fit & finish
- “Picture-frame” mitered corners for tread decking
- Creative, high-end finishes for decking, fascia, and riser
- Open look and feel, simplifying snow removal
Stronger stringers
- Microlam or LVL (laminated veneer layer) lumber is much stronger and straighter than traditional lumber
- The system minimizes material removed, maximizing throat depth and strength.
- Most stairs only require 2 2×10 LVL stringers.
- Span charts are calculated for code compliance.
Continuously supported treads
- LVL 2×4 tread framing facilitates wide “waterfall” stairs with 5’6” spans
between stringers. - The system provides stable blocking for surface-mounted railing posts.
- The system uses very little (and inexpensive) hardware.
How to Cut with Confidence
1. Tick-marks
- Fill out the Stair Numbers Sheet (or see the LVL Stair Calculator below) to determine your angle and “tick-mark” increment.
- Transfer tick-marks to stringers.
2. 2×4 Cuts
- Connect the Square Guide to the Angle Guide, and set it to your angle.
- Attach the Saw Plate Extension to your circular saw.
- Align the Square Guide to each tick-mark on the stringer, and make your cuts for 2x4s.
3. Rise/run cuts
- Attach un-cut fascia to stringer then place fascia side down.
- Set your Run Stop and your Rise Stop to your rise and run.
- Cut stringer and fascia together, one right, one left.
4. Top/bottom cuts, then assemble
Stair Numbers Sheet
Measure your stair, and use this Stair Numbers Sheet PDF to help record and calculate your stair numbers.
You can use the LVL Stair Calculator below to help fill out your Stair Number Sheet.
36” Wide Staircase, Spans on Two Stringers | |||
LVL Stringer Material | Throat Depth (in.) |
Max Span (in.) |
Max # of Treads (11 in.) |
(1) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 80 | 8 |
(2) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 101 | 10 |
(1) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 118 | 11 |
(2) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 149 | 14 |
(1) 1-3/4×14 | 9 | 179 | 17 |
(2) 1-3/4×14 | 9 | 226 | 21 |
48” Wide Staircase, Spans on Two Stringers | |||
LVL Stringer Material | Throat Depth (in.) |
Max Span (in.) |
Max # of Treads (11 in.) |
(1) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 73 | 7 |
(2) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 92 | 9 |
(1) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 107 | 10 |
(2) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 135 | 13 |
(1) 1-3/4×14 | 9 | 163 | 15 |
(2) 1-3/4×14 | 9 | 205 | 19 |
66” Wide Staircase, Spans on Two Stringers | |||
LVL Stringer Material | Throat Depth (in.) |
Max Span (in.) |
Max # of Treads (11 in.) |
(1) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 65 | 6 |
(2) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 82 | 8 |
(1) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 96 | 9 |
(2) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 121 | 12 |
(1) 1-3/4×14 | 9 | 146 | 14 |
(2) 1-3/4×14 | 9 | 183 | 17 |
Wide Staircase, Interior Stringers at 66″ OC | |||
LVL Stringer Material | Throat Depth (in.) |
Max Span (in.) |
Max # of Treads (11 in.) |
(1) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 52 | 5 |
(2) 2×10 | 4 1/4 | 65 | 6 |
(1) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 76 | 7 |
(2) 2×12 | 6 1/4 | 96 | 9 |
Span Chart Notes
LVL Stringers
- A live load of 40 psf used in the development of this table
- A dead load of 12 psf used in the development of this table
- Live load deflection limited to l/360 in the development of this table
- Total load deflection limited to l/240 in the development of this table
- The maximum deflection limited to 1”
- Calculations based on a 7-3/4” riser and a 10” tread
- Self weight of LVL material calculated assuming LVL weighs 41 PCF
- Load of railing not considered in calculations
- Deflection controls in all cases
LVL Treads
- Live load equal 40 psf
- Dead load equal 12 psf
- Total live and 1/2 dead load for 12” wide step placed on toe board for distributed load verification (7’-4” max length, deflect controls)
- A point load of 300 lb. (live) applied to mid span of toe board with dead load for point load verification (5’-8” max length, deflect controls)
- 2×4 LVL Nose Board will span 5’-8” + 1-1/2” of LVL material at either side would accommodate a 5’-11” wide staircase.
Wide / Waterfall Stair
- Waterfall staircase with stringers located at 5’-6” o.c.
- Calculations in this table are for interior stringers of the waterfall staircase
- Stringers designed with 5’-6” of tributary area
Professional tool set, $299
- Saw guides and stops provide professional results.
- Avoid over-cutting and mis-cutting.
- Method is adaptable, consistent, and teachable
Cut with confidence.
- Help us improve this system and be a part of something new, building premium quality stairs!
- This system is also available as a service from our Wood Shop.