Platform

Laying out a bottom platform isn't going to be difficult. What I like to do is figure out how the walls are going to finish and then make the necessary calculations, from there.

If my walls are going to finish with half inch drywall and I build my stair platform even with the wall, my overhang will creative a problem for the finish.

I like to set my platform back so that the carpeting or finished flooring, doesn't protrude past the finished drywall. This produces more of a professional looking stair design.

However, it is not a requirement.

Most building codes require a 36 inch minimum width, in each direction, but you should check with your local building department, before building your stairs, just to make sure.

Whenever you have a door or window near a stairway, the stairway, door and window will need to meet local building codes. Windows will need to be tempered and doors will need to be located and positioned correctly.

The more complicated the stairway is to build, the more rules you will need to follow. Building codes were created to prevent problems and these professionals have spent years, figuring out what does and doesn't work.


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