wood framing at stairs

[structuralnerd]

How is the wall framing usually done around stairs with an intermediate landing? Do they balloon frame up to the height of the floor or do they put another ridge beam at the landing level? I need to use this wall as a shear wall too.

 

[JMirisola]

Back when I was framing, and does that seem like a lifetime ago, the framing would go all the way up with fire-blocking following the stringer line as well as fire-blocking around the landing. The landing would be created with 2x ledgers.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[structuralnerd]

So no ridge beam at the landing level?

 

[JMirisola]

Assuming that your landing is creating a 90° turn in the stairs, the landing would have a wall on one side and another at the back, providing ledger support. At the point where the stairs start to go up again, there, generally, would be a pony wall under the landing at that point. When all is said and done, no ridge beam. Granted, local codes may differ, but that was how it was done on the 100+ homes that I built.


Jeff Mirisola, CSWP

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[msquared48]

It is true that there are normal ways to frame stairs, but you seem to indicate that you have a special need here structurally.

If you need to have the framing be a particular way THAT IS BUILDABLE, then call it out and detail it as such. You are the structural enginer here.

You should coordinate your details with the architect too.

Good hunting.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[AlmostPE]

what do you mean by Ridge beam? "Ridge beams" are at the roof.

 

[structuralnerd]

When I say ridge beam I mean the beam that frames around near the outside of the wall at each floor. I usually hear it referred to as a ridge beam, but I could be incorrect with my nomenclature.

 

[JMirisola]

Given that last bit of info, the wall framing is, well, just framing. That comment is subject to interpretation. It all depends on what's going on up above.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M