DECK STAIRS

Want to know how to easily build stairs for your deck?
here's what you need to know.

STEP 1: plan before you building your stairs

Planning the location of deck stairs is a critical first decision. Where will people naturally enter or leave the deck? This will make it much easier for you to know where the best location of your stairway should be.

Foot Traffic Paths

The example shown here is a cascading stair case with a single level deck. Lots of room away from the foot path to set some chairs and a table.

Access to Different Areas

You many need a dedicated set of stairs or multiple sets to distinguish purpose areas on your deck. Doing so makes your space comfortable and easy to get around.

The deck shown here has a first floor elevated deck that is small and more of a "pass through" zone. But having access to the dining area and a lounge area with two separate stairs makes this little deck a gem! Start planning now!

a cheat sheet for stairs

Illustration of key elements of stairs for your deck.

TIPS FOR PERFECT STAIR STRINGER LAYOUT

How you layout your stringers depends on the style of your stairs.

Stair rail building code parameters and details

STAIR RAIL GUARD GUIDELINEs

Are you aware of the building code guidelines for guardrails on stairs?

Footings and landing details of building code standards for deck stairs.

TIPS FOR DECK STAIR FOOTINGS AND LANDINGS

What are the guidelines for footings and stairs?

STEP 2: CUTTING A STAIR STRINGER

Some stairs have notched stringers. You can see the cut outs in the stringer for each unit rise and run unless there is a fascia board that hides them.

This deck is an example of that. The treads overhang the stringer on the sides. Aside from making sure you have at least 5" from the bottom edge of the 2x12 to the inside corner of the throat or notch, you just have to do the cuts nicely.

STEP 3: ATTACHING STAIR TREADS TO STRINGERS

As long as the materials and spans meet the code minimum requirements you can build your stairs with some creativity.

These illustrations show the differences between a solid or notched stringers. Here the treads are supported on the inside of the stringer with 2x4 cleats but could also be metal brackets. The overall look is a clean and open appearance. The other drawing shows a more common notched stringer with either open or closed risers.

Just keep in mind the IRC only allows a maximum of 4" opening in any rise. So this design might not work for your area.

recommended connection methods

Solid Stringer Or a Notched Stringer

A solid stair stringer with building code parameters.

A notched stair stringer with building code parameters and details.

STEP 4: ATTACHING STAIR TREADS TO a deck

There are two ways to attach stair stringers to your deck. This image shows a contemporary technique where solid stringers and open risers are set higher up against the fascia and angle brackets secure them to the deck. But a more common technique is to use notched stringers and secure them to a drop down board behind the rim joist of the deck.

Read this article and see a diagram of how most stair cases with closed risers are connected to the rim joist of a deck: Securing A Staircase To A Deck.

STAIR TREAD COVERS ARE A GREAT IDEA FOR REPAIRING OLD WOOD DECK STAIRS

Are you stair treads worn out? Stair tread covers are an affordable solution for outdoor steps, particularly wood treads found on porches and deck stairs that have taken a beating from all the traffic.