Most people are terrified of framing stairs—and for good reason. If you blow a single layout mark or let your saw wander, you just turned an expensive piece of engineered wood into high-end firewood.

In this video, we’re skipping the 10-minute whiteboard math lecture and getting straight into the real job-site workflow. I’ll show you how to calculate and cut dead-money accurate, squeak-free stairs on the first try.

What’s Covered in This Video:
Lumber Selection: Why we bypass standard 2x12s and build strictly with PWT LVL stringers for zero crown, zero splits, and 100-year durability.

Layout Without Accumulated Error: Using the calculator to track decimal points and setting Martinez stair gauges so every riser and tread hits dead-on.

The Floor Thickness Trap: How to drop the bottom riser and trim the top of the stringer so your finished floor materials never throw you out of code.

The "Human CNC" Gang Cut: How to screw three LVLs together, make clean passes with the 10-1/4" saw, and ensure every single stringer in the set is an identical clone.

100-Year Squeak Defense: Using 2x8 solid risers, heavy polyurethane foam-to-gel Advantech subfloor adhesive, and Paslode TetraGrip fasteners so the only creak in the house is your knees.

Take pride in the geometry, choose the right materials, and build it right the first time.

Tools & Materials Mentioned:

PWT LVL Stringers (1-3/4" x 11-7/8")

Martinez Tools Framing Square & Stair Gauges

Makita 10-1/4" Circular Saw & Reciprocating Saw

Simpson Strong-Tie SDWS Timber Screws

Advantech Subfloor & Polyurethane Foam-to-Gel Adhesive

Paslode TetraGrip Fastening System

If you found this helpful, hit that Like button, Subscribe for more building science and framing breakdowns, and let me know in the comments how you tackle your stringer layouts!

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YouTube: Pioneer Builders Inc
Website/Blog: AwesomeFramers.com
Company: Pioneer Builders

0:00 The Art of Squeak-Free Stair Framing
1:39 Precision Layout Techniques
3:31 Pro Cutting Strategies for LVLs
6:56 Scribing for a Seamless Fit
11:43 The Secret to Glue and Nail Perfection