Subtread - Staircase Building And Construction

A sub tread would be any stair tread that was installed under the finished stair tread. The picture below provides you with an excellent example. The black arrow is pointing to a stair tread that sits directly underneath the finished tread or step.

Communication Problems And Sub Treads

Communication is one of the biggest problems in construction. The architect draws a picture of something that they have in their mind, but it might not be the same one that the stair builder has in there's, to build the stairway.

If the architect doesn't call out the exact specifications for sub treads or the stair builder doesn't notice that the architect actually did, you've got a communication problem. Not only do you have a communication problem, but now you have a problem with the stairs riser heights and inconsistencies.

A good superintendent or experienced home builder, shouldn't have any problems with a situation like this, because they know how critical the construction of the stairway actually is. However, there have been plenty of times where I've seen stairways that were built incorrectly, because someone forgot about the sub treads.


Stairs / Stair Glossary

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