Floating Staircase

[nj_five]

Building a staircase with 2 stringers made from 2x12 LVL's and 2" walnut treads. Want to keep it open (no risers) or back panel on the stringers. Stringers are spaced 26" and treads are 42" long so an overhang of 6" on each side as well.

Trying to figure out best way to attach the treads. Was going to use pocket screws but since the bottom is open it would be visible. Other option is table top fasteners but again would have screws easily visible on bottom front of treads.

Domino's and some tread-lock? Any suggestions?

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=75842]nj_five[/member] - sounds like a spectacular feature when done. Pocket screws would require plugging with matching Grain to hide the pockets.
Sounds like a design made for a DF-700  [smile]

What exactly  is your concern about using Dominos?

Hans

 

[Cheese]

Tough to beat construction adhesive and screws hidden by wood plugs, either same wood or contrasting wood.

For same wood I cut a bunch of plugs and then matched the face grain as close as I could. Here's some Jatoba that has a small plug in the middle of the picture towards the top edge of the Jatoba. This view is from about 6" away and it's still difficult to see the plug, so from eye level, you'll never see this plug.

[attachimg=1]

For contrasting wood try this.

[attachimg=2]

 

[nclemmons]

Depending on the look you want, you could just use 1.5” angle iron brackets about 8” long on each end of the treads underneath.  Cut, drill and use countersunk drywall screws into the tread and the stringers.  Paint the angle black and it might be a nice compliment to the design.

 

[Packard]

A simple job for dowels and dowel centers and glue.  You will have to find a way to clamp it though and that might not be that easy.

 

[nj_five]

Thanx for all the suggestions. I like the idea of domino's as it would be completely hidden. Second choice would be the screws with plugs but likely would do pocket screws from the bottom through the stringer into the treads.

 

[dankerst]

Don’t forget to take into account your local regulations regarding open risers. Could be a safety issue down the line. Would hate to see you do a great job and then have to modify it to bring it to code. Not trying to be the bad guy; just better safe than sorry.

 

[Jim Metzger]

dankerst is correct, residential code limits the riser opening to 4" and there are requirements for handrail height, baluster spacing and space between the bottom of the handrails and stair treads. Many of the beautiful staircases we see online do not comply with code.