Unconventional Craftsman - Craft without conventionRequest a quote
All guides
18

Stairs & stringers guide · 6 min read

How to lay out stair guard posts

Divide the guarded stair slope into equal post bays without exceeding the selected project or railing-system span.

01

Establish the usable guarded slope

Choose the bottom and top terminal-post locations first. Measure their insets along the stair slope, not horizontally, and subtract them from the full slope length.

Guarded slope = stair slope − bottom inset − top inset
02

Equalize the clear bays

The planner finds the smallest whole post count that keeps every clear bay at or below the entered maximum, then divides the remaining clear length equally between the posts.

  • Enter actual post width measured along the rail line.
  • Treat the maximum bay as a project or manufacturer limit—not a universal code value.
  • Check that every proposed post has real framing or a designed connection.
  • Do not add posts to a drawing without resolving fasteners, blocking, edge distances and waterproofing.

Put it to work

Use the numbers on your job.

Enter the real field dimensions in the matching UC Field Tool, then verify the result against the actual assembly and applicable requirements.

Open stair guard planner
Next guideSpace stair balusters

Plan carefully. Build to the rules that apply.

UC Field Guides and Field Tools are planning aids, not engineered designs, permits, product instructions, or code approvals. Verify field conditions, materials, loads, connections, drainage, guards, dimensions, and every other requirement with the governing code, manufacturers, local authority, and qualified professionals for your project.