my head is spinning . do what works for you .
in my training i tend to avoid leaving gaps where our eyes most likely tend to look . if there is shrinkage and a gap was produced i want it in the least seen place . i generally put risers first for that reason .then again it is 2022 and i have real high quality glues ,fast screws ,biscuits or dominoes . i can do this both ways on the same stairs and no one would know .

 

It depends on if that person is signing a paycheck, a contract check, or no check at all.

 

I'm also partial to installing the risers first. But in my mind, as long as it has solid framing, treads, and risers.... It's a properly built set of stairs.

 

do you have pictures?

rough framed or finished?

 

I built these back pre-covid......after a 9 year hiatus.

Mistakes included

 

If the responsible person wants them done American, you're doing it wrong.

 

I like risers first, as I don't have to be as perfect with the fit. The tread covers it and the treads will slide in with minor variations if any.

I'm not a stair guy, so that's just my thoughts on it on the rare times I do interior stairs.


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In the US it is common to hide the gap when viewing a set of stairs, so we install backers first.
In the US, we make em pretty and hide that nasty line because we are civilized people who want it to look the best it can.
In the UK, they make them last as long as possible, so they use the riser to trap and hold the tread stock.
US vs UK Stair construction differences are style vs longevity.
Which way is better? Well let's look at the results of the last 200 years.
The US is arguably the most powerful nation on earth while the UK has gone from an empire spanning half the globe to being relegated to a tiny island in the Arctic Circle.
#UK_Free_The_Treads

 

Which way is better? Well let's look at the results of the last 200 years.
The US is arguably the most powerful nation on earth while the UK has gone from an empire spanning half the globe to being relegated to a tiny island in the Arctic Circle.
#UK_Free_The_Treads

Pretty sure this is the real reason for the American revolution. Treads first? F that.

 

I build my stairs out of plywood and use the risers to support the front and rear edges of the treads. Makes for exceptionally solid stairs. I also build my stairs as soon as both decks are framed.

 

We used to do stairs last to keep looky loos (curious home owners) away from the upstairs until roof framing was done.

 

We can only hold off on them until the second floor platform is framed.
If tools or materials need to be brought up, then stairs are mandatory as per our safety regs.
But I will block off the bottom flight with lumber at the end of the day /week if we want to keep the inquisitive away.

 

I prefer riser first, easy to attach the riser to the back of the tread, I feel it increase the strength of the tread.

Tom

 

In NJ it’s rare to find non shop built stairs

 

I've never seen shop built stairs.

 

Funny, in PA, at least around here, they're almost always site-built.

 

Here either. Never seen shop built stairs unless they are steel or steel and concrete.

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Either you can measure and order them of they send a guy out who does it
Yellow pine or oak treads, primed or clear stringers/risers, any style you want. If its a curved wall or an intricate design they build a wall at the shop, build the stairs, take them out and deliver and install them.

Stringers are routed, wedges in the back/under. Even cove mold is installed

 

It is still regional, but in this day and age, site built anything is on it's way out. One has only to look at cabinetry, & prehung doors to see the change in trends. Quality control of shop work, & shop efficiency will eventully make it universal. Anything that reduces construction time will eventually drive how it gets done.

About 10 years ago, I was asked to do rails a homeshow home about 100 miles away from Cincinnati, in Columbus Ohio. All but one of the show homes had site built stairs, that being the one I was supplying rails for. Those stairs came from a shop near mine, because no one in Columbus did them as shop built. Today, most in Columbus stairs are shop built.

 

Back in the 1920s or so, a lot of cabinets were done like Ikea. Cut and flat packed and shipped by rail across the country for on site assembly / installation / finish.