Steel Frame Install
This is an install guide for the cantilever frame of the staircase.
Tools & Supplies for This Installation
Right Angle Drill
Hammer Drill (Concrete Header or Footer)
Impact Driver
Torque Wrench
Socket Wrench
Pencil/Marker
11/64" Wood Drill Bit
Concrete Drill Bit (Concrete Header or Footer)
9/16"Sockets
T-30 Torx Socket
Socket Extension
3/16" Allen Wrench
Level
Framing Square
Measuring Tape
Table Saw
Things to Know Before You Get Started
Before you get started, review your print set, specifically reviewing the steel exploded assembly print(s) and the wood exploded assembly print(s)
Read over the provided material prior to the start of your installation
This is, at minimum, a two person job
Viewrail Glass systems and fittings are designed to have a 1" gap between panels of glass
Install Steps
Per the provided plans, locate the called out Finished Floor to the top of Plywood Header Template measurement & mark where the template will be placed
Hold the Plywood Template in place, drive 5 wood screws to secure the template to the header
Note on Blocking: Plywood Templates must be mounted directly to either double LVL or Triple 2x. If the wall has a compressible surface, e.g. drywall, it must be cut away before hand.
Predrill the 2 outside holes in the Plywood Header Template using a 11/64" drill bit
If finished flooring is not yet installed, add subfloor material equal to the finished floor thickness (X) beneath the stringer feet and under tread pans 1 and 2
Note: X = thickness of the finished floor
Line up the top of the Plywood Stringer Template with the top of the Plywood Header Template
While it is held in place, secure it to the wall backing using wood screws - it is not necessary to populate every hole, just enough to secure it for now
Note on Blocking: Plywood Templates must be mounted directly to either double LVL or Triple 2x. If the wall has a compressible surface, e.g. drywall, it must be cut away before hand.
Place steel stringers on sawhorses
Attach the header brackets as shown using the provided 3/8" x 1" bolts
Tighten bolts just until snug
Hoist the stringers & line them up with the large holes predrilled in the Plywood Header Template
Fix them in place with one 3/8" x 5" SPAX Screw each in the predrilled locations from STEP 2
For installations up against a wall, align and secure the steel stringer to the wood template using the provided 3/8"-7 x 4" Hex Head Lag Screws and washers
Check for plumb on all 3 axis for each stringer
Shim if necessary
It is imperative that the stringers are level & plumb, even if your wall/floor is not.
Take this time to ensure that the measurement of the top rise is correct
The measurement taken in this step should be 1" long of the Rise measurement on the provided plans - This is to account for the thickness of the finished wood tread to be placed in a later step
Collect all Tread Pans and Tread Pan Gaskets and attach them together
Note: Each Tread Pan requires gaskets. Tread Pans are labeled with a letter and number. The letter indicates the stair system, & the number indicates position.
_01
First Tread Pan
(2)A, (3) B
_02
Second Tread Pan
(2)C, (3)B
_03
Intermediate Tread Pan
(2)D, (3)B
_04
Top Tread Pan
(2)D
Place the First Tread Pan, (e.g. A01, B01, C01 etc.)
Thread (4) of the provided 3/8" -16 x 11/4" set screws from the outside of the free standing stringer
Thread on (4) of the provided 3/8" -16 Hex Head Serrated Flange Nuts onto each set screw from underneath
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Notes: On stringers that are not butted up to a wall, it will be easier to insert set screws from the outside. Due to the powder-coating process, you may need to run a 3/8"-16 bolt through the threaded holes on the stringers before mounting the tread pan, to clear the threads.
Using (4) 3/8"-16 x 3/4" Hex Head Bolts secure the wall side of the tread pan to the metal stringer
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Ensure the tread pan is level and recessed 1/16" from the top and front edges of the steel stringers
Torque the hardware placed in STEPS 11 & 12 to 30 lb-ft
Note: It may be necessary to use an socket extension to reach the nuts and bolts under the tread pan
Insert a 3/8" -16 x 2 II Hex Head Bolt through (2) 3/8" Washers and thread through the first Vedera Pin mounting location pictured above
Note: Ensure that the 3/8"-16 x 2" Hex Head Bolt sticks out from the steel stringer by 1 3/8"
Slide the Second Tread Pan (e.g. A02, B02, C03, etc.) into position behind the tread pan installed in the previous steps
Exposed Stringers: Use (3) 3/8" -16 x 2" Hex Head Bolts secure the pan, through the (2) slots in the side of the pan, into the stringer from under the pan*
Wall Mounted Stringers: Use (2) 3/8" -16 x 3/4" Hex Head Bolts secure the pan, through the (2) slots in the side of the pan, into the stringer from under the pan
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Note: Ensure that the (2) 3/8"-16 x 2" Hex Head Bolts stick out from the steel stringer by 1 3/8"
Using (3) of the provided 3/8" -16 x 2" Hex Head Serrated Flange Bolts secure the pan, through the (3) slots in front of the pan as shown above
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Using (3) of the provided 3/8" -16 x 2" Hex Head Serrated Flange Bolts secure the pan, through the (3) slots in front of the pan as shown above
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Slide the Third Tread Pan (e.g. A03, B03, C03, etc.) into position behind the tread pan installed in the previous steps
Exposed Stringers: Use (2) 3/8" -16 x 2" Hex Head Bolts secure the pan, through the (2) slots in the side of the pan, into the stringer from under the pan*
Wall Mounted Stringers: Use (2) 3/8" -16 x 3/4" Hex Head Bolts secure the pan, through the (2) slots in the side of the pan, into the stringer from under the pan
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Note: Ensure that the (2) 3/8"-16 x 2" Hex Head Bolts stick out from the steel stringer by 1 3/8"
Using (3) of the provided 3/8" -16 x 2II Hex Head Serrated Flange Bolts secure the pan, through the (3) slots in front of the pan as shown above
DO NOT tighten bolts all the way down in this step
Slide the Polycarbonate Shims into place between the Second and Third Tread Pan
Return back to the Second Tread Pan and ensure that it is level and recessed 1/16: from the top and front edges of the steel stringers
Torque the all (7) 3/8" bolts installed from STEPS 14-16, to 30 lb-ft
Repeat STEPS 17-20 for the remaining intermediate tread pans (e.g. A04) Following the pattern below
e.g. Install 4th Tread Pan & square it up Torque down 3th Tread Pan Install 5th Tread Pan & square it up Torque down 4th Tread Pan Install 6th Tread Pan & square up Torque down 5th Tread Pan, etc.
Now move up to the header area and predrill the (4) remaining holes through the Plywood Header Template using a 11/64" drill bit
Install the top Tread Pan (e.g. A04, B04, C04, etc.) just like the others using the same hardware
Leave hardware loose for now
Note: Ensure that the (2) 3/8"-16 x 2" Hex Head Bolts stick out from the steel stringer by 1 3/8"
Slide the Polycarbonate Shims into place between the top most intermediate tread pan (e.g. A03) and the Top Tread Pan (e.g. A04)
Torque the all (7) 3/8" bolts installed from STEP 24, to 30 lb-ft
Cut the provided Header Frame Brace to the measurement indicated above (X)
Install it into place using wood screws -This will be used to attached the finished Anti-Run wood in a later step
Note: Make sure to center the wood in between the Metal Header Brackets and 1/16" from the bottom of the steel stringer itself. The steel stringer sitting lower than the wood Header Frame Brace.
Secure the first and second Tread Pans using (10) of the provided 3/8"-7 x 4" Hex Head Lag Screws and washers
Torque to 30 lb-ft
If you received all of your order including the finished wood treads and glass panels, skip ahead to STEP 36
For orders where the steel arrives first, and is installed before the finished wood & glass arrives on site, cut 2x12 lumber to the correct tread width and mount them onto each tread pan. Secure it with wood screws from underneath the tread pans. This prevents slips since moisture or debris on bare tread pans can be hazardous.
Slide a Nylon Bushing over each exposed bolt
Using your shop drawings and the routed panel identification label on each of the plywood templates to find the first panel
Have a partner hold it in place while you do the following two steps
Side the Vedera Gaskets on to the exposed threads of the bolts followed by the Vedera Plates
Assemble the rubber O-Ring & the Slide a Vedera Glass Pin End Cap (Male) parts
Place one of the assemblies on each bolt
Tighten the 9/16" nuts with a socket wrench
Repeat for all remaining wood templates
At this point, the Steel First portion of the installation is complete. This stair system will act as a sturdy set of temporary stairs for the remainder of the overall project. The following steps of this instruction manual, will be used once you have received the finished wood treads & glass panels and are ready to install them to finish the job.
Note: It is suggested to attach some 2x4’s to the top of the panels to create a more ridged structure. This will act as a safety railing during the remainder of the overall project
Last updated
Was this helpful?