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Building deck stairs is not hard to do. Anyone with fundamental construction knowledge or a good sense of fun can make a secure and attractive set without running into too many problems. This guide gives information on how to build deck stairs yourself to save on the fee for a contractor.

How To Build Deck Stairs

Preparation for design and construction:

The Total Run is the entire horizontal distance covered by the stairway, from the edge of the deck to the edge of the stairway

The Total Rise is the entire vertical distance from the surface of the landing to a point level with the surface of the upper floor

Run is the horizontal length from the leading edge of one tread to the leading edge of the following tread.

Rise is the vertical length from the surface of one tread to the surface of the next tread.

The ratio of the total rise to total run defines the incline of the stairway. This may constantly be between 30 and 35 degrees. Average riser height is roughly 7″ with an 11″ run (standard lumber stock width)

The breadth of the staircase might be roughly 48 to hold one person and around 60 for two.

Stairways consist of four parts:

1) Stringers – sloped members that hold up the staircase usually created from 2x10s with no large knots that are made from redwood or cedar, to defend against decay.

2) Treads – horizontal planks that you walk on. When building deck steps they are constructed from similar material as the deck.

3) Risers – vertical planks behind each tread.

4) Railing – constructed from posts, a cap rail and vertical balusters between every post. 4×4 is the most common post material with a 2×4 handrail.

Planning the deck stairs

Determine the entire rise and divide the figure by 7 to obtain how many steps you will need. If the result is a fraction approximate to the nearest whole number

Divide the entire rise by the resulting whole number to determine the height of each riser.

Making the deck steps

Step one: find the entire rise and divide the figure by 7 to get the number of steps you will need. If the result is a fraction approximate to the nearest whole number

Divide the total rise by the resulting whole number to determine the height of each riser

Building the stairway:

Required Tools/ Materials

2×10 Stringers

5/4″ or 2″ Tread Material

Angle Iron

Hex Bolts

8d Galvanized Nails

Hammer

Measuring Tape

Joist Hangers

1×8 Risers

2×6 Pressure-Treated Cleat

Anchor Bolts

16d Galvanized Nails

Baluster Material

Carpenter’s Square

Adjustable Wrench

Instruction

Step one:

Notch the stringers for the treads and risers. Fasten two stair gauges to a carpenter’s square to the specifications of the rise and run you have calculated (for instance, set the square on the stringer so the gauges are flush against the edge and trace the notch on the border of the square).

Step two:

Work your way down the stringer, until you have set out the correct number of notches. Use the carpenter’s square to position the top cut on the stringer.

Step three:

Place the stringer on the lower floor by bolting it place with a piece of angling iron.

Step four:

Once the stringer is in place, cut the notches partway using a circular saw and complete the cuts with the handsaw.

Once you have one stringer completed, set it in place to make sure it is cut correctly, then use it as a guide to lay out your cuts on the other stringers.

Step five:

Measure the distance from the front of the riser to the edge of the notch cut, then rip the treads to breadth so they go 1″ to 1-1/8″ beyond the edge of the notch. If you’re using two boards side by side as treads, tear half the dimension from each plank so both will be the same width. Cut the treads to length and nail them to the stringer with 16d galvanized nails.

The square root of the result gives you the required stringer length; round up to the nearest standard lumber length, then multiply by the number of stringers you’ll require.

Tips and Warnings

Local building codes regulate the width and slope of a staircase, as well as how the assembly is supported and braced, how the landing is built and whether railings are needed.

Always check with local building agencies to guarantee that you have the correct permits and are in compliance with all codes.

Here’s more information on how to build deck stairs.