How to Build Deck Stairs

Building deck stairs is a bit complicated as you cannot have stairs that are not level or are crooked in any way, since this would pose a terrible safety hazard. Once you know the basics of how to build deck stairs you can pretty much build stairs that go up to anything whether indoor or out. Here are some basic building blocks that you must have in order to build deck stairs that are safe!

Materials To Build Deck Stairs

Level
Skill Saw
T-Square
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Wood- 2 x 10 and 1 x 8s
Screws
Drill

Steps to Building Deck Stairs

Begin by determining the height of the stairs that you need as well as the rise of the stairs. To do this, place a level at the top of the deck and measure down to the bottom to determine the rise of the stairs. You also must determine how many steps you want leading up to the deck. For instance, a deck that is 4 feet off the ground will have a rise of 48 inches. You must determine how many steps you want and this will tell you how many risers to create when you build the stringers for the deck stairs.

Example: If you have a deck 48 inches from the ground and you want to have steps that are set at 6 inches then you will have a total of 7 risers. (you would think 8 because 8×6 is 48 but the top riser is the deck itself so there is no need for a step there).

Once you have determined the risers you are ready to begin building the stringers for the deck stairs. It’s always a good idea to use three stringers for deck stairs so that the stairs are more sturdy. One stringer will be placed on either end of the stairs and an additional stringer will be underneath the deck stairs in the center for added support.

Using a square, begin marking out the stringer on a 2 x 10 board. Measure every 7 inches and every 10 inches to create the stringer. Mark out the points and use the square to create the measured areas for cut out. Using the skill saw, cut out the triangles from the edge of the stringer at the 7-10 inch intervals so that you have created a stair stringer.

Use framing anchors to screw the stringers to the deck itself. The screws with anchors will make for a more sturdy base for the deck stairs. I do not suggest using nails for this part of the project as nails without anchors are a safety hazard for deck stairs.

Using the 1 x 8s, cut the length that you need for the width of the stairs for the deck. You will need 7 for the 8 riser deck stairs that we are building here. Using a screw gun, screw the stairs into the stringer at each side of the deck stairs and also in the center. It’s best to use 2 screws for each section, so 2 for the left, 2 for the right and 2 for the center of each stair.

Assure that the stairs are completely level using the level once you have attached the risers and the stringers. Never call a deck stair project complete until you have used the level to check that all stairs are level and safe