It doesn't have to be complicated to build your own deck stairs!Measure carefully so you know how many stairs you'll need.The part of the stairs that the treads and risers will attach to will be the part that you frame out your deck.Just add the risers, then sit back and enjoy the outdoors!
Step 1: Check your local codes for deck stairs.
If you want to build your deck stairs, you need to call your local government, go online, or contact a building inspector.If you don't follow your local codes, you could face a fine and have your deck stairs removed.Building codes are listed online by many local governments."riser height" is the height from the top of one tread to the bottom of the next.A handrail on both sides of the stairs is required for stairs with more than 1 step.Guards are needed on any open sides above the point 30 inches high on the open stairs and deck.
Step 2: If you can use pre-cut stringers, check it.
Pre-cut stringers are sold by home centers and builders' supply stores.Unless you need the stairway to be steep because there isn't enough space on the ground, using these is the best option.Measure the height of the stairway and the amount of space you can use on the ground.Measure the height and length of the pre-cut stringers at the store.You can cut them to size if they are longer than you need.Cut it so the bottom step is not as high as the others.It can be less than that.
Step 3: To find the landing zone of your stairs, imagine a 40-degree slope.
The first thing you have to do is find the end of your stairs or the landing spot.Take a picture of a line running from the edge of your deck to the ground.Place a tape measure on the ground to see if the stairs will end.It doesn't have to be measured.The support beam of the deck should start at the 40-degree slope.
Step 4: Make the board level over the landing spot by resting it on the deck.
The landing spot on the deck is where the bottom of the stairs will be.To make sure it is level, set a large level on the board.If the board slopes upward toward the landing spot, you need to level it with a shim at the opposite end.Measure how much this raised the end above the landing spot if the board slopes downward.Measure from the ground to the board.You can calculate the materials later by writing down the measurements.
Step 5: To find the number of 7 steps, divide the total rise by 7.
To find the total number of stairs you need for your deck, take the measurement, divide it by 7, and round the number to find it.To find the number of steps, round this number up or down.If your total rise was 60 inches (150 cm), divide that number by 7 to get 8.57.Use 9 steps to get 9.You can use this number in your calculations.
Step 6: Divide the rise of each step by the number of steps to find the total rise.
The total rise can be calculated by dividing it by the number of stairs.This will show you how tall each step will be.If your total rise is 60 inches (150 cm) and your approximate number of steps is 9, divide it by 9 to get 6.67 inches per step.Building codes require that stair risers be no taller than 8.25 inches.The height of each notch is shown here.
Step 7: You should use tread boards that are at least 10 inches wide.
The part of the stair that you step on is created by the treads boards.The stair treads should be at least 36 inches long and 10 inches deep according to the building codes.The number of steps is how many treads you need.
Step 8: To find the length of the staircase, you have to calculate the stringers.
There are sawtoothed boards that are cut into them and run along the length of the stairs to support them.To find their length, add together the square of the run, tread, and rise.Take that number, find the square root, and use the number of steps to figure out the actual length of the stringers.If your tread is 25 cm and square 10 is 10 cm, you will get 100.If your rise is 7 inches, square it by itself to get 49.The square root of 149 is 12.206 if you add 100 to 49.You have to take the number of steps to find the total length.
Step 9: Out of 2 in, cut out 12 in boards.
It is difficult or impossible to find pre- fabricated stringers that will fit your deck stairs.You will need to cut your own.Most building codes prohibit the use of saw-toothed or stair-shaped cuts that are deeper than half the width of the board.
Step 10: Marks a sawtoothed pattern with a framing square.
Use a carpenter's pencil to trace along the edges of the framing square to form a sawtooth pattern of steps onto a 2 in by 30 cm board.Put the square on the board and mark the lines, then slide it down and align it with the previous mark before adding the next ones.Before you make any cuts, make sure to draw all of your lines onto the wood.The rise and tread should match the sawtooth or stair-shaped pattern.
Step 11: Cut the board with a circular saw.
Before you cut the wood, make sure the blade comes to full speed and follow the guidelines you marked.Don't cut all the way through the guidelines.When operating a circular saw, be careful.sawdust can enter your eyes if you don't wear safety goggles.
Step 12: Use a handsaw to finish the notch cuts.
You will need a handsaw to finish up the cuts without sawing beyond the cut lines, but the circular saw will cut most of the notch out.Use a back and forth motion to finish the cuts after fitting the handsaw into the cut lines.If you cut past the guidelines you marked, it could weaken the stringers.
Step 13: If you repeat the process you can cut another one.
Use the same measurements and mark a 2 in by 12 in board to be cut to support your deck stairs.To finish the cuts with a hand saw, use the circular saw to cut the notch.It should be the same as your first one.You can use the first one as a template for the next two.If you're building the stairs on a surface that isn't level, you may need to change the lengths of your stringers.Make the other two slightly longer on the bottom by cutting the shortest one first.If you use shims to adjust the stringers, they could fall out.The limit for differences between tread depths and riser heights is 3/16 per stair and 1/6 for a flight of stairs.
Step 14: The deck frame can be screwed to with a drill.
Attach the stringers to your deck with deck screws and L-brackets.If you want to connect the stringer to the deck, place the top of it against the bottom of the frame.You can connect the second stringer to the deck after attaching the first one.Use 6 in (15 cm)-long corner braces on the two inside corners, as they're heavier steel than most braces.For extra strength, screw several 3 2 in (8.9 cm) framing and deck screws through the stinger into the deck.
Step 15: The risers need to be cut to the length of the top stringer.
Use a ruler and pencil to mark the cutting guidelines where the riser needs to be trimmed to fit.To trim the riser, use a circular saw to cut along the guidelines.Continue until all of the risers have been cut to size.Make your guidelines on the rest of the boards by using the first riser.
Step 16: Attach the risers to the screws.
The risers should be placed against the edges of the stringers.The deck screws should be driven through the risers and into the edge of the stringers using a drill.The riser should be secured with at least 2 deck screws.It could crack if you drill too far into the wood.
Step 17: The treads need to be trimmed and drilled onto the stringers.
Take your 1.5 in by 10 in tread boards and cut them to 36 inches in length after attaching the risers.They should be laid across the stringers facing up.3 in deck screws can be used to attach the treads to the stringers by drilling through the tread boards.Attach the tread boards with deck screws.
Step 18: Call the local officials to have the completed stairs inspected.