Why We Use Engineered Stair Stringers

A staircase gets walked on thousands of times a year. Over time, traditional solid lumber stringers — the structural supports that run along the sides of a stair — can warp, bow, and flex. The result is a stair system that squeaks, bounces, and sags. It's one of the most common callbacks in home building, and it's entirely preventable.

At Eiger Homes, we install engineered stair stringers in all of our new home builds. Here's why.

The Problem with Solid Lumber

Solid lumber is a natural material, and natural materials move. Temperature and humidity fluctuations cause wood to expand and contract over time. In a stair stringer — which bears significant load and flexes with every step — that movement leads to loosening connections, squeaking treads, and a stair system that feels less solid year after year.

The Engineered Advantage

Engineered stair stringers are manufactured to be dimensionally stable. They resist the warping and bowing that affect solid lumber, which means the stair system stays tight, quiet, and firm for the life of the home. They're also stronger — capable of spanning further distances and supporting greater loads without deflection.

The benefits are straightforward:

• Eliminates squeaks by maintaining tight connections over time

• Greater strength and load-bearing capacity than solid lumber

• Minimizes bounce and flex underfoot

• Resists warping and bowing due to moisture and temperature changes

• Eliminates sag over the life of the staircase

• Supports sustainable building practices

The Result

A staircase built with engineered stringers feels solid on day one — and still feels solid twenty years later. It's a detail most homeowners never think about, which is exactly why we think about it for them.

That's #BuiltBetter.

About Eiger Homes

Eiger Homes is a custom home builder serving Sheboygan and Ozaukee Counties and Wisconsin's Lake Michigan corridor. We build heirloom-quality homes and remodels for families who care about how they live. #BuiltBetter

Have a project in mind?  →  Get in Touch