If you’re looking for information on how to build a stair, this article is for you. We’ll cover Construction, Materials, Preparation, and Calculating the stair’s rise. Once you’ve gathered all of the materials you need, you’ll be ready to build the step. Here are some basic steps to get you started:
Construction
If you’re considering building a deck stair, you’ll need to know a few basic details before you begin. First, the rise and fall of the stair must be the same height. If you’re building a single step, you can follow the same construction steps as for a double stair. Make sure the bottom step is twice as wide as the top step, and that the framing members are flush. Then, add decking over the frame.
Once the step is built, you’ll need to secure the boards in place. The ledger board, which typically measures 2×10 or 2×12, will act as the structural side of the step against the house. When fastening the board to the building, make sure the boards are cut at least 4 inches shorter than their actual length. You’ll also need to install a flashing that extends down to the bottom of the ledger board. The flashing will keep water from entering the framing behind the board.
Before attaching the stair stringers, you should check their placement against the deck and check for any issues. Make sure they match your calculations and measurements, and clamp them back onto the sawhorses. Don’t cut the lumber with a circular saw, because overcut lumber weakens the framing and looks unsightly. Then, install a hangerboard between the stair stringers and the top and bottom steps.
After securing the stringers, you can now start installing the treads. The landing surface should be about 3 feet by 4 feet. Make sure to make the landing surface as square as possible and use stringers that are spaced at least two feet apart. Then, position the stringers between the deck and the landing, and then double check to ensure they fit correctly. Once the stringers are secure, you can then attach the stringers using angle brackets.
Materials
Materials for building one step on a deck vary depending on your local residential building codes. Typically, you will need two by six or four x eight lumber for the framing. If the steps are going to be close to the ground, you should use pressure-treated lumber to comply with code requirements. Once the framing is complete, you can start building the steps. Before you begin, you’ll want to determine the exact height and tread depth of each step.
First, you should check the International Residential Code for decks. Most communities accept the IRC as the standard for building decks. Follow the guidelines in the code and you’ll pass inspection. You can also consult the North American Retail Hardware Association for helpful diagrams. Finally, you’ll need to have a leveling system. It’s important to measure the distance between footings and the deck foundation to avoid building on a sloped surface.
To anchor the joists, use metal joist hangers. If your deck is very large, you might need two support beams. In smaller projects, you can use one. In either case, install rim joists on top of the outer beam and ledger plate. Joists should extend at least 12 inches over the last beam. If you want to build a step that gives you more space on your deck, you can install a cantilever design, which hides the beam and gives more room on the deck.
Beams and posts are critical parts of the deck frame. They should be attached to the posts with screws or galvanized nails. If you have a low-level deck, make sure the beams and posts are properly secured in place by using special hardware, like galvanized through-bolts or lag bolts. Once you’ve built your rim joists, install the decking and the steps.
Calculating stair rise
Calculating stair rise when building one step in a deck begins by measuring the total rise of the staircase from the ground level to the top of the deck surface. Then, divide that measurement by the number of risers, which are usually between 6-1/2 and 8 inches. Then, add or subtract a riser, according to your preferences. You can modify the tread width to fit your decking.
To build a single step on a deck, you can use a standard 2×12 stock board. Always leave 7 inches at the head of the board for the final riser. If you cut the stringers incorrectly, you will end up with a stair with reversed measurements. To prevent this, use a 1×2 as a bridge. It will provide a flat, level surface for the stringers to rest on. Then, position the stringer between the landing and the deck and double check the fit.
Then, measure the rise of each tread and determine the number of risers needed. In most cases, you need to add the thickness of the lower stair tread to the lowest stair rise. This way, the stair will have a gradual rise. The final measurements are used to trace the risers and install the landing pad. This process will make the stair safe for your deck, and it will make it look attractive, too
The total rise will be divided by 7 inches. A total rise of 45 inches will yield six risers at 7 inches. The height of each riser will be 7 1/2 inches. The height of a single stair can be adapted to different deck surfaces by changing the surface height of the landing. This method is preferred if you are building multiple steps on a deck. When calculating the stair rise, make sure you consider the width of the deck and the height of the deck as well.
Preparation
To build a deck with a single step, you will need to know how to prepare the deck for a step. Before you begin, it is important to determine the height of the step. The step’s height depends on the distance between the deck floor and the ground, so divide the distance by 7.5 inches. The height of the step is also dependent on the depth of the stair tread, which is usually 10 inches.
To make the construction easier, you can make the step of the deck narrow by putting some wooden blocks in between the posts. First, you must rake and level the ground to make it flat and smooth. If you can, lay landscape fabric over the soil to keep the weeds from growing under the step. Then, place four concrete blocks 12 feet apart along the long and short sides of the step.
After you have measured the height of the step, you must prepare the area beneath it. To make this easier, cut the grass to a minimum. If the deck is 6 feet off the ground, you can use a single beam along the outer edge. The other end of the deck will be supported by a bolted ledger. Once you have determined the height of the steps, you can measure the length of the railings.
Once you have the distance of the steps, you can lay out the deck. To build the step, first measure the height of the house floor above the grade line. If you have a doorway, the height of the step must be two or four inches higher. Measure the distance between each corner of the step, and make sure that they are parallel to the rim joists. If the height of the step is close to the house floor, you can skip step eight.
Calculating step depth
The first step in building a deck stair is to calculate the depth of each tread and rise. The front and back pieces of the stair rise on the edge of the deck and are then connected with three short boards, one flush on each side. The remaining board is then placed in the center of the rectangle. The stair rises should be eight inches in height, and you should not install trim along the back edge.
To calculate the depth of the steps, divide the run length by three-fourths. In this case, the distance between each step is nine-fourths of a foot, so each step is six-and-a-half inches deep. To determine the depth of each step, divide the run length by three. For example, if you have nine steps, each step will be six-and-a-half inches deep. In addition, nine steps equal eight-and-a-half feet. You can also experiment with the depth of each step by adjusting the size of the tread and the height of the step. Remember that each step must be the same height and depth, as well as a solid integer.
In addition to the width and depth of each step, you should also measure the total rise. This is the distance from the ground to the top of the deck. In this case, you should measure the first measurement from the foot of the deck. Then, you should measure the next distance four feet away from the deck to find the correct height. Generally, the height of a step should be four to seven inches. However, you should check the local building codes as they may have a different requirement.
