Fig. 40 is a section of the top string enlarged.
Fig. 41 is the newel at the bottom, as cut out to receive bottom step. It must be remembered that there is a cove under each tread. This may be nailed in after the stairs are put together, and it adds greatly to the appearance.
We may state that stairs should have carriage pieces fixed from floor to floor, under the stairs, to support them. These may be notched under the steps; or brackets may be nailed to the side of the car riage, and carried under each riser and tread.
There is also a framed spandrel which helps materially to carry the weight, makes a sound job, and adds greatly to the appearance. This spandrel may be made of 11-inch material, with panels and mouldings on the front side, as shown in Fig.
The joint between the top and bottom rails of the spandrel at the angle, should be made as shown in Fig. 42 with a cross-tongue, and glued and faStened with long screws. Fig. 43 is simply one of the panels showing the miters on the moulding and the shape of the sections. As there is a conven ient space under the landing, it is commonly used for a closet.
In setting out stairs, not only the proportions of treads and risers must be considered, but also the material available. As this material runs, as a rule, in certain sizes, it is best to work so as to conform to it as nearly as possible. In ordinary stairs, 11 by 1-inch common stock is used for strings and treads, and 7-inch by 4-inch stock for risers; in stairs of a better class, wider and thicker material may be used. The rails are set at various heights; 2 feet S inches may be taken as an average height on the stairs, and 3 feet 1 inch on landings, with two balusters to each step.
In Fig. 36, all the newels and balusters are shown scluare; but it is much better, and is the more common practice, to have them turned, as this gives the stairs a much more artistic appearance. The spandrel under the string of the stairway shows a style in which many stairs are finished in hallways and other similar places. Plaster is sometimes used instead of the panel work, but is not nearly so good as woodwork. The door under the landing may open into a closet,
or may lead to a cellarway, or through to some other room.
In stairs with winders:the width of a winder should, if possible, be nearly the width of the regular tread, at a distance of 14 inches from the narrow end, so that the length of the step in walking up or down the stairs may not be interrupted; and for this reason and several others, it is always best to have three winders only in each quarter-turn.
Above all, avoid a four-winder turn, as this makes a breakneck stair, which is more difficult to construct and incon venient to use.
Bullnose Tread. No other stair, perhaps, looks so well at the starting point as one having a bultnose step. In Fig. 44 are shown a plan and elevation of a flight of stairs having a bullnose tread. The method of obtaining the lines and setting out the body of the stairs, is the same as has already been explained for other stairs, with the exception of the first two steps, which arc made with circular ends, as shown in the plan. These circular ends are worked out as here after described, and are attached to the newel and string as shown.
The example shows an open, cut string with brackets. The spandrel under the string contains short panels, and makes a very handsome finish. The newels and balusters in this case are turned, and the latter have outwork panels between them.
Bullnose steps are usually built up with a three piece block, as shown in Fig. 45, which is a sec tion through the step indicating the blocks, tread, and riser.
Fig. 46 is a plan showing how the veneer of the riser is prepared before being bent into position. The block A indi cates a wedge which is glued and driven home after the veneer is put in place. This tightens up the work and makes it sound and clear. Figs. 47 and 48 show other methods of forming bullnose steps.
Fig. 49 is the side elevation of an open-string stair with bullnose steps at the bottom ; while Fig. 50 is a view showing the lower end of the string, and the manner in which it is prepared for fixing to the blocks of the step.