Exploring Design Options for Feature Stairs: Stringer Settings and Aesthetics

Customizing Stringer Settings for Aesthetic Impact

Learn how changing the settings for stair stringers can impact the overall aesthetic of a design in this informative article. We delve into the different options available and how making tweaks to certain features can create a unique and visually pleasing feature stair.

Key Insights

  • The article discusses the influence of the stair stringer settings on the visual appearance of stairs. It emphasizes how small adjustments, like the thickness of the riser or the depth of the run, can change the overall aesthetic.
  • Experimenting with different combinations of tread and riser thickness can result in a variety of designs. For example, creating a slanted look with uniform thickness or adjusting the riser to be thicker than the quarter inch plate can create a different visual impact.
  • The author highlights the importance of understanding and utilizing the various setting options provided in designing feature stairs. Having a comprehensive understanding of these tools gives designers the ability to create a stair design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

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Before we go into the railing, there's one more setting with the stringers that I want to cover just so we've covered a lot of the different options and you can see how each of the different changes will have an impact on the look. So you can see here we've got this little bit of corner that's slightly peeking through, and then because the riser is so thin, you can almost begin to see some of the stringer showing through. If we were to take a look at the properties again—so if I go into Edit Type on the feature stair—then we can look at that HSS type.

And if I were to start looking at changing this a bit, the total depth and the structural depth on the run actually work together. So I try to keep them about the same. If I were to set this to eight inches to match here, what will happen is it will cut this line, and you won’t see the end plate.

If I hit OK, you can see now that it’s dropping the stringer below. And if we were to go with this design here, what I’d do is make the riser a little thicker because the quarter-inch plate just looks somewhat flimsy there. So I would change my riser from one-quarter inch.

I’d probably double it to a half inch to make it look a little bit thicker. And I can always hit Apply and take a look at that. Another thing you could do is start looking at your tread thickness and how it relates to your riser thickness as well, and develop another profile that you like.

For example, if you wanted to have it be slanted with them all having the same thickness—if I were to hit here and make this two inches as well and have it slanted—this is another look that you can go with. And I can make that wood to match.

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These are just other options—different looks that you can go with for the stair. And that’s fine—it’s a fairly subjective topic because we’re talking about just different design options that you can go with. But I do want to make sure that we are covering all of these different settings so that you have all the tools at your disposal to help you create a cool and aesthetically pleasing feature stair.

photo of Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson

Revit Instructor

Bachelor of Architecture, Registered Architect

Mike is recognized by Autodesk as one of North America’s leading Revit Certified Instructors. He has significant experience integrating Revit, 3ds Max, and Rhino and uses Revit Architecture on medium and large-scale bio and nano-tech projects. Mike has been an integral member of the VDCI team for over 15 years, offering his hard-charging, “get it done right” approach and close attention to detail. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, children, and dog.

  • Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI GOLD – 1 of 20 Awarded Globally)
  • Autodesk Certified AutoCAD Professional
  • Autodesk Certified Revit Professional
  • Revit
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