Building Deck Steps

To build deck steps, first, you need to calculate the number of steps. In order to do that, you have to measure height of the deck.

Divide height of deck by 6 or 7. (Six or seven inches is the normal riser height.) This tells you the number of steps you need from the ground to the top of the deck.

Calculate the tread (the width of the step from front to back), or T. Twice the riser height (or R) plus the tread width should be between 24 inches and 26 inches. Or, (2 x R) + T = 24 to 26. So, for a riser that is 6 inches tall, the tread should measure between 12 inches and 14 inches. (Some leeway is allowed for comfort when using the steps.)

Build the Steps

Pour foundation and add a kicker plate, if wanted. (A kicker plate is a board attached to the foundation with bolts or concrete nails; the bottom of the stairs can be attached to it.)

Transfer step measurements, as determined by calculations in Section 1, onto a 2-by-12 treated board that will be your first stringer. (A stringer is a board that has the pattern cut into it - it helps you form your stair-size calculations.) First mark the height dimension of a step onto the short arm of a framing square; place the framing square to the board with this mark at the outside edge of the board. Then hold the square in place and slide it up and down until the width dimension on long arm of square is on edge of board.

Trace around outside edge of framing square. (Your tracings will look like a V.)

Continue marking treads. (Now your board will look like VVV.)

Subtract the tread's thickness from the bottom of the stringer and notch out the bottom to fit around the kicker plate.

Cut along the trace lines with a circular saw or handsaw.

Check the alignment with the deck, then trace and cut a second stringer using the first as your pattern.

Attach the stops of the stringers to exposed joists with bolts or to end or rim joists with joist anchors or angle brackets.

Attach the bottom of the stringers to the base or kicker plate with angle irons with lag screws.

Cut risers and treads to the desired width of your stairway, leaving 3/4-inch overhang on each side.
 

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