Step up your deck by constructing DIY stairs
So, you finally have that dream deck—but you also have a wide-open outdoor space that you don’t want to neglect. While parkour is always an option (albeit not the safest or most convenient), learning how to build deck stairs is the best solution to take you down to your yard without a fuss. We’ll walk you through this intermediate-level DIY project below.
As you may have learned from building your own deck and other home improvements, there are usually local building codes to follow. These will dictate specifics such as stair width and riser height (such as the height from the top of the tread to the top of the one below it). You can find the building codes for most local governments online.
If you choose to install Trex decking or another wood alternative, the building guidelines may differ for stringer placement, riser height, or other recommended reinforcements. Review all the guidelines before purchasing materials and planning your course of action. If you skip this prep work, you may incur fines or have to rebuild the deck stairs before selling your home.
Before beginning the project, you’ll need to calculate the total number of risers and planks (also known as treads). To do this, start by calculating the total rise of the staircase.
Determine the location of your stair landing. You should shoot for an angle of around 40 degrees from the top of the deck to the landing.
Lay a long level or a wooden board on the top of the deck, extending it until it sits right above your landing point.
Measure the vertical distance from the board (or level) down to the ground. This number will be the total rise measurement you’ll use to determine the number of risers and treads in your staircase.
To determine the number of risers you’ll need, divide the total rise of your staircase by your desired step height (around 7 to 7¾ inches is standard). Then, round to the nearest whole number.
Helpful tip: If you have stairs in your home you can climb comfortably, measure the height of those risers and use that number for your deck steps. Always double-check building code regulations to ensure your riser height is up to code.
To find out your total number of planks (or treads), take your total number of risers and subtract one. Any staircase build will always have one less plank than the total number of risers.
If you’re wondering how to build deck stairs, it’s always a good idea to plan for a landing pad. Most building codes require a landing with deck stairs, and many have specific lists of acceptable building materials to use, so check beforehand.
The most popular option is building your own concrete pad (you can also lay your own pavers). Here’s a basic how-to for a concrete landing:
Cut your stair stringers and clamp them into place to test the distance from the deck.
Measure the desired width of the landing pad—around 36-by-36 inches is standard.
If you’re pouring concrete, cut and nail together your wooden concrete form using wooden boards.
Dig a trench deep enough to accommodate your wooden concrete forms or pavers. Keep in mind that your landing pad should be as level as possible, with no more than a ¼-inch slope per foot.
Lay your form into the trench, referencing your clamped stair stringers to ensure it’s even with both sides of the staircase.
Fill the form with a layer of gravel.
Lay rebar or chicken wire on top of the for a second layer of support.
Mix and pour concrete into your form
Screed the concrete by moving a 2-by-4 board back and forth throughout the length of the form, making three to four passes until the concrete sits flush with the form.
Allow the concrete to harden slightly before adding your finish (ex: dragging a broom across to create a textured finish).
Allow the concrete to cure based on the manufacturer’s instructions (usually for 3 to 10 days).
Once the concrete is fully cured, carefully remove the wooden form.
Follow these step-by-step instructions for building stair stringers.
Start by determining where you'll attach your new steps on the deck, and mark the location where you'll install your stair risers (also known as stair stringers). Make sure you leave at least 36 inches between stringers to allow for enough stair width. Again, be mindful of local building codes and adjust the width accordingly.
Measure the distance from the ground to the top of your deck, which is also known as the vertical drop. Take a mental note of this number or write it down, as you’ll need it for calculations in the next steps.
Take your vertical drop and divide this number by seven to determine the number of steps you need. If it's not an even number (and it probably won't be), round up to the next even number.
Divide the vertical drop by the number of steps you're going to use to get the rise of each stair. For example, if you have a 42-inch drop, you'll need six stairs, each of which will have a rise of 7 inches.
Determine how deep you want each stair tread to be, which is the part you will step on. Multiply that figure by the number of steps to get the total run of your stairs.
You also need to decide if you want a concrete pad at the bottom of your steps or if you prefer to have them sit on the grass. Pouring a pad is possible on your own, but it's time-consuming and requires a lot of tools that you probably don’t already have. Setting the stairs on your grass means more wear and tear for the lawn.
Use your carpenter’s square and pencil to create a stair-shaped pattern on your wood that matches up with the tread depth and riser height of the stairs. You will need at least two stringers to support your deck stairs.
You know what they say: Measure twice, cut once. Double-check all your measurements before moving on to the next step.
Using a circular saw, begin cutting out your stringer notches per your drawing. Finish your cuts off with a handsaw to avoid cutting too far.
Next, cut out deck boards to fit the length and width of each tread as well as each riser. You can use one, two, or three boards per stair, but keep in mind that the more boards you use, the more screws you'll need.
Line up the top of each stringer against the bottom of your deck frame and screw an angle bracket on the side of each stringer, connecting them to the deck. Double-check your markings from step two to ensure the stringers are the right distance apart to fit the length of each tread.
Attach your risers to the stringers using three-inch deck screws. Use at least two screws per riser.
Lay your tread boards perpendicular to your risers on the stringers. Ensure these are level and screw them in by drilling through the tread board into the edge of the stringer where they’ll connect. Again, use at least two screws per tread board.
The cost breakdown for this project is about a 50-50 split between material and labor. A local stair company will charge about $15 to $25 per square foot to build a deck staircase. Your labor cost might be lower if you want to add stairs to an existing deck or upgrade them. Plus, hiring a professional ensures that the job will get done efficiently and accurately.
With a free weekend and some power tools, you can save money by taking on the project yourself, but make sure to check your measurements before cutting into lumber—and then check again. A miscalculation could render your deck steps “out-of-code” or worse, unlevel.
The standard distance between deck stair stringers is 12 to 16 inches. However, these numbers vary by building material, so reference the maximum span for the material. For example, some composite materials call for a maximum distance of 10 inches to maintain their structural integrity.
As a general rule, never leave more than 16 inches of space between your stringers. Deck stairs have higher load-bearing demands than the walking surface of the deck, so it’s important not to overshoot the space between your stair stringers.
Most building codes list a minimum width of 36 inches and a maximum height of 7¾ inches. However, for the most comfort and spaciousness, you’ll want to aim for a width of at least 48 inches and a height of 7 inches. Again, it’s always a good idea to base your numbers off steps that you already use comfortably.
The overhang, or nosing, of deck steps is another area that will be covered in building code requirements. The noses on your deck steps should have a minimum overhang of ¾ inch. For safety, usability, and code compliance, the nosing of deck steps should not extend past 1¼ inches.
