Building deck stairs can be difficult since there are many possible points for error, from problems with the landing pad and railing to misalignments with the stair tread step sizes, climbs, and depths. To make sure the stairs are secure, you must also adhere to local construction regulations while creating deck stairs. Despite the fact that the task seems difficult, our guide will walk you through every step of replacing your current deck steps or creating a set of new ones. Drawing a thorough plan before construction is always recommended since deck stairs need to be precise. Before you begin building deck stairs, double-check all measurements after creating your plan. In particular, make sure that all stair rises—the height of the steps—and tread depths—the width of the step runs—are equal. Stairs with noticeable variations in their height or length can present a trip risk. Keep in mind that poor planning will only result in issues with the construction.
Building Platform Steps Or Stairs For A Deck
Once all the necessary steps have been taken, you may start constructing your new deck stairs. Start by counting the risers and treads and determining the total climb to the deck. Before putting your steps together, you can then measure, mark, and cut each component. Learn how to build stairs for your deck by following the comprehensive instructions below.
Step 1: Measure The Total Rise To The Deck Landing
The total rise to the deck landing should be measured first. Decide about where you want the steps to stop, keeping in mind that the stair angle should be around 40 degrees, to determine the total rise.
After that, place a straight board on the deck. Measure the distance to the ground by extending this board over the side so that it lies above the suggested landing for your steps. This provides you with the deck steps' overall rise, or height.
Step 2: Calculate The Number Of Risers & The Number Of Treads
- Take a piece of wood and mark it every 7 34 inches to establish how many risers you need (7 34 is the highest height permitted by municipal laws). A story pole made of this wood can be used to indicate the height of each step. Count the number of pole sections between the floor and the deck by placing the story pole next to it upright. You receive the required amount of raises as a result.
- As an alternative, you might divide the total rise value determined in Step 1 by 7 34. Recognizing that the number represents an approximation rather than an actual number of risers, round the number up or down to the next whole number. Although riser heights typically range from 4 inches to 7 34 inches, they can be any height. To make it fit properly, you might need to recalculate the number of risers using a different riser height. Later, you will determine the risers' precise height.
- Subtract one from the number of risers. With the exception of the top step, where the deck surface doubles as the tread, each step requires its own tread.
Step 3: Calculate The Exact Distance To The Landing Pad & The Exact Riser Height
- You can determine where your landing pad should be once you know how many treads there are. To get the exact distance, multiply the depth of each tread by the number of treads. For instance, each tread consists of two 5 12 boards, spaced apart by 1/4-inch (the gap allows for contraction and expansion when the temperature changes). This results in a total tread width of 11 1/4 inches (the run measurement). The run of the support stringer is 10 12 inches (11 14 inches less the nosing of the tread's overhang of 34 inches). The distance of three steps from the deck would be 31 12 inches. The landing pad starts here and the support stringer terminates here. The tread will continue past this point, but that is acceptable because the landing pad, not the treads, supports the stringer.
- Divide the entire rise by the projected number of risers you calculated in Step 2 after first measuring the overall rise. The height of each riser will be determined by this outcome and should be between 4 and 7 34 inches. If the riser height is higher than this range, adjust the computations by adding or removing a riser from the total. Keep in mind that when you recalculate, you also need to recalculate the distance between the landing pad and the number of treads. Sketch out all the dimensions once you are satisfied with the measurements; you can use the drawing as a reference when you begin constructing your DIY deck stairs.
Step 4: Mark And Cut The Stair Stringers
- Create a template on a piece of scrap wood using your run and rise dimensions. To create a 90-degree angle at the end of a piece of 2x12, square the end with your speed square. Then, jot down the run measurement along the top and the measurement of one riser down the side.
- Create a diagonal line by connecting the two spots. You can mark the stair stringers using the run and rise measurements from the template you created by cutting along the diagonal with a circular saw.
The tread thickness should be taken out of the stringer's bottom. You can mark the other stringers using the completed stringer as a template. - It's time to cut out the notches after making sure the stringers are marked correctly a second time. To avoid weakening the stringer, start cutting with a circular saw near to the corner of the mark and then complete with a handsaw.
Step 5: Test-Fit The Stringer & Establish And Prepare A Landing Point
- Check the stringer's fit by placing it up against the deck. It must properly fit between the deck stairwell and landing and be flush with the deck. Use a level to verify that the treads are level and even once the stringer is in the proper location.
- You must set up this landing point right away if you are building deck stairs and a landing. Start measuring the area for a concrete landing pad after clamping your stringers to the deck to confirm the distance. The landing pad must be at least 36 × 36 inches in size.
- Stakes should be driven into the ground to secure the wooden shapes. After that, secure a piece of 4x4 to the outside stringer's end and mark the area all around it with marking paint. This illustrates the placement of the bottom newel posts. To make deck stairs with a landing, take off the stringers and drill holes for the posts.
Step 6: Outline The Stair Pattern Onto The Fascia Boards
On the fascia boards that will run outside the steps, trace the stair pattern with the stringer. The fascia boards' top and bottom should be marked, cut, and double-checked for fit. The stringers should then be fastened to the interior of the fascia boards using appropriate fascia screws that are spaced 9 inches apart.
Step 7: Attach The Stringers To The Rim Joist
- Draw vertical plumb lines first to indicate where the fascia boards will be placed on the stringers, and then add a horizontal line in between them to indicate where the top of the tread will be. Screw a temporary 2x2 into the deck's rim using authorized screws. After the stringers are attached, you can take out the 2x2.
- To temporarily secure the stringers to the deck frame, insert three additional deck screws through the stringers from the back of the rim. The middle stringer should then be secured with two deck screws. In the holes you previously drilled, insert the newel posts, and fasten them to the stringer's interior with screws.
Step 8: Attach 2x6 Supports & Check That Everything Is Square
- When building deck stairs, stability is essential, so you must attach supports. Screw a 2x6 horizontally along the length of each stringer from the back. Then, using the first piece of 2x6 and two more 2x6 pieces, secure them vertically to the back of the deck rim.
- Start by driving two nails into each stringer to secure the bottom riser. You must now verify that everything is stable and square. To do this, cross-tap the fundamental structure you've constructed and measure it at the top and bottom. Each cross-measurement needs to be equal. If not, lightly touch the building to move it slightly side to side, then repeat the measurements until they are all the same.
Step 9: Add The Stair Risers And Treads
It's time to secure the remaining treads and risers. Leaving a tiny 14-inch space between the boards, screw the risers into the bottom of the tread before the top. Till you reach the top of the steps, keep doing this.
Step 10: Pour Concrete And Attach Stairs To The Landing
Pour concrete to make your landing pad using a minimum of 2,500 psi, then level it with a straight piece of 2x4 lumber. A magnesium float can then be used to finish the concrete. A flat piece of magnesium (or occasionally aluminum) with a handle is what is known as a magnesium float. You can float concrete there at the pressure and angle you like. Once you have taken all the necessary dimensions for your landing pad, you may choose a magnesium float from a variety of lengths and widths.