Stair stringer

Ryan Murray · 06-22-2009, 04:49 PM

Can I cut into one of the stringers that support the stairs to my second floor in order to relocate a door? If the answer is yes, then how do I reinforce the weakened stringer? I realize this is not ideal, but the relocated door is, so any help/ideas would be appreciated. Sorry no pics.

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**Jerry Peck** · 06-22-2009, 05:58 PM

I am having a difficult time visualizing cutting into a stringer and not having a door open to the stairway - which would be major no-no.

Pleases explain or describe in greater detail.

**Gunnar Alquist** · 06-22-2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I am having a difficult time visualizing cutting into a stringer and not having a door open to the stairway - which would be major no-no.

Pleases explain or describe in greater detail.

Sounds to me like he wants to cut underneath the stairway.

**Jim Luttrall** · 06-22-2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Murray

Can I cut into one of the stringers that support the stairs to my second floor in order to relocate a door? If the answer is yes, then how do I reinforce the weakened stringer? I realize this is not ideal, but the relocated door is, so any help/ideas would be appreciated. Sorry no pics.

NO, don't cut the stringer.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-23-2009, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Sounds to me like he wants to cut underneath the stairway.

Got it! Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

NO, don't cut the stringer.

What Jim said!

**Brandon Whitmore** · 06-23-2009, 07:24 AM

You'd have to take a pic so we could see exactly what you are dealing with. You could cut the stringer, but you'd have to do much more than just cutting the stringer. Cutting all of the stringers and installing a landing may work depending on your application, and could give you more head room.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-23-2009, 07:29 AM

*IF* the door was framed such that it effectively supported the stringer as a column and beam, and laterally supported the stringer so it could not move laterally, it *could* be done.

Think of it as landing and bearing the stringer on a landing at the top of the stringer and then at the bottom of the stringer.

It *could* be done, with emphasis on *could*, but it would need to be done correctly.

**Brandon Whitmore** · 06-23-2009, 07:41 AM

Jerry,

I think from now on, we all need to request pictures before answering some of these questions.....

**Jerry Peck** · 06-23-2009, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Brandon Whitmore

Jerry,

I think from now on, we all need to request pictures before answering some of these questions.....

Except that not everyone always has photos, especially of things they are proposing to do.

Drawings and sketches would help, but not everyone can do that.

**Brandon Whitmore** · 06-23-2009, 09:05 AM

Except that not everyone always has photos, especially of things they are proposing to do.

Drawings and sketches would help, but not everyone can do that.

Correct, but they can take a picture of the work area-- sure would help when he is trying to explain things. In this instance, the guy is just wanting to move a door over. I think it would help to see a pic of that area. It may give us ideas as to what to recommend. Heck, we've had answers on this one from "no-- don't do it", to "Yes, it can be done" depending on what the individual inspector is picturing in their mind when they read the post.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-23-2009, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Brandon Whitmore

Heck, we've had answers on this one from "no-- don't do it", to "Yes, it can be done" depending on what the individual inspector is picturing in their mind when they read the post.

That happens with most threads, even WITH photos.