Building a deck, what kind of stairs? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Reese · 07-07-2009, 11:57 AM

So, I'm building a deck on my house. I'm getting ready to start work on the stairs and I'm trying to decide how exactly I want to do it. See, My house is basically setting in a hole. It's hard to explain so I drew a picture.

The stairs need a 5ft rise and 8ft run due to the landing pad being so far out. I'm trying to decide if I want to do a straight long run of steps, put a platform even with the deck out 2 or 3 foot thus making it a 5ft rise / 5ft run or maybe doing a platform in the middle which would be something like 3 steps up, then having a 3ft platform then doing another 3 steps up to the deck.

What do you guys think? Should I go with normal straight steps or platform at the top or middle?

Willravel · 07-07-2009, 12:05 PM

That's a great illustration.

If it were me I'd probably do the platform in the middle thing, but only because I think it looks a bit more interesting. I might even have a long platform at deck-level with stairs that head down at 90 degrees from the way you've presented them.

braisler · 07-07-2009, 12:23 PM

A 5' rise and an 8' run is not so long that you need to divide it with a landing. You can easily enough just run it directly. It is actually a benefit to have a longer run, so each step can be a bit wider and more shallow. Easier to climb and more space for each step which is a benefit to people like me with size 12 shoes.

You really don't want your stair to go 5' rise for 5' run as this translates to a fairly steep 45 degree angle. You don't NEED it to be that steep, so don't make it that way.

Be prepared. Building deck stairs is like the PhD of deck construction. When you think you've got everything measured and just right. Measure it all a second time. Don't assume that the end of your deck is actually plumb or level. Check it to be sure. I just got finished building a new stair off the back of my deck and it was a royal pain.

Oh, and overbuild the stair with reinforcements, and metal hangers at both ends. The stair takes more strain than pretty much any other part of the deck.

Best of luck. And keep us posted as to how it turns out.

Willravel · 07-07-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braisler

Oh, and overbuild the stair with reinforcements, and metal hangers at both ends. The stair takes more strain than pretty much any other part of the deck.

QFT. Pretend you have a pet elephant.

Reese · 07-07-2009, 02:16 PM

Made the illustration with Google Sketchup.

I've talked to my dad since making this thread and he agrees with you Braisler. It'll be really sturdy. I've got so many extra posts, bags of concrete and metal braces laying around I literally can build it strong enough to hold an elephant or two. I have my dad cutting the stringers(thank god) so that part should be pretty easy now. I'll see about getting some pictures up once the deck is finished.

Thanks for the replies.

yournamehere · 07-14-2009, 04:41 PM

In your case, you have 9 risers spanning 5 feet, so each riser is 6-2/3"
You have 8 treads spanning 8 feet, so each tread is 12"

There are three general rules for Riser-Tread Ratio:
1. Rise plus tread width = 17” to 18” In your case, 6-2/3 + 12 = 18-2/3" A little on the high side.
2. Rise times tread width = 72” to 76” In your case, 6-2/3 x 12 = 80" More than a little high
3. Sum of two risers plus tread width = 24” to 25” In your case, (2 x 6-2/3) + 12 = 25-1/3. Again - a tad high.

The ideal angle for a stairway should be 34-37 degrees. Yours is 32 degrees - on the shallow side.

The "ideal" stairway has 7-1/2" risers and 10" treads.

Is there any way you could extend the deck another 26"? If so, that would give you eight 7-1/2" risers and seven 10" treads.
1. R + T = 17.5 Check
2. R x T = 75 Check
3. 2R + T = 25 Check
Angle = 37 degrees Check

Now - all that being said, I don't think the sky would fall if you built it the way you've drawn it. It's just a little on the shallow side, with less than average riser heights and longer than average tread widths. That's better than having them both too high or too low - another general rule is "the lower the rise; the wider the tread." Besides - none of the dimensions are really out of whack. And if you're building it for people with big feet who don't like lifting them very high - it's perfect.

However, if the brick columns are drawn accurately, I don't see a problem cantilevering another 26" of joists over them. If you want, you could just extend a 26" "platform" out to the stairs. However, to be on the safe side, I'd put some vertical 4 x 4s under each outside joist where they meet the top of the stringer. Or - you could put the 26" platform at the bottom - you'd use a lot less 4 x 4 that way, but the slope of the ground might make it a bit dicier anchoring them.

My 2 cents.
Good luck!

And yes - let's see a photo of the finished deck!

yournamehere · 09-16-2009, 01:45 PM

Hey, Reese - it's been two months. Got a deck yet? Get out your camera!

07-07-2009, 11:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	Building a deck, what kind of stairs? So, I'm building a deck on my house. I'm getting ready to start work on the stairs and I'm trying to decide how exactly I want to do it. See, My house is basically setting in a hole. It's hard to explain so I drew a picture. The stairs need a 5ft rise and 8ft run due to the landing pad being so far out. I'm trying to decide if I want to do a straight long run of steps, put a platform even with the deck out 2 or 3 foot thus making it a 5ft rise / 5ft run or maybe doing a platform in the middle which would be something like 3 steps up, then having a 3ft platform then doing another 3 steps up to the deck. What do you guys think? Should I go with normal straight steps or platform at the top or middle? __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

07-07-2009, 12:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	A 5' rise and an 8' run is not so long that you need to divide it with a landing. You can easily enough just run it directly. It is actually a benefit to have a longer run, so each step can be a bit wider and more shallow. Easier to climb and more space for each step which is a benefit to people like me with size 12 shoes. You really don't want your stair to go 5' rise for 5' run as this translates to a fairly steep 45 degree angle. You don't NEED it to be that steep, so don't make it that way. Be prepared. Building deck stairs is like the PhD of deck construction. When you think you've got everything measured and just right. Measure it all a second time. Don't assume that the end of your deck is actually plumb or level. Check it to be sure. I just got finished building a new stair off the back of my deck and it was a royal pain. Oh, and overbuild the stair with reinforcements, and metal hangers at both ends. The stair takes more strain than pretty much any other part of the deck. Best of luck. And keep us posted as to how it turns out. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---

07-07-2009, 02:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	Made the illustration with Google Sketchup. I've talked to my dad since making this thread and he agrees with you Braisler. It'll be really sturdy. I've got so many extra posts, bags of concrete and metal braces laying around I literally can build it strong enough to hold an elephant or two. I have my dad cutting the stringers(thank god) so that part should be pretty easy now. I'll see about getting some pictures up once the deck is finished. Thanks for the replies. __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

07-14-2009, 04:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
yournamehere Invisible Location: tentative, at best	In your case, you have 9 risers spanning 5 feet, so each riser is 6-2/3" You have 8 treads spanning 8 feet, so each tread is 12" There are three general rules for Riser-Tread Ratio: 1. Rise plus tread width = 17” to 18” In your case, 6-2/3 + 12 = 18-2/3" A little on the high side. 2. Rise times tread width = 72” to 76” In your case, 6-2/3 x 12 = 80" More than a little high 3. Sum of two risers plus tread width = 24” to 25” In your case, (2 x 6-2/3) + 12 = 25-1/3. Again - a tad high. The ideal angle for a stairway should be 34-37 degrees. Yours is 32 degrees - on the shallow side. The "ideal" stairway has 7-1/2" risers and 10" treads. Is there any way you could extend the deck another 26"? If so, that would give you eight 7-1/2" risers and seven 10" treads. 1. R + T = 17.5 Check 2. R x T = 75 Check 3. 2R + T = 25 Check Angle = 37 degrees Check Now - all that being said, I don't think the sky would fall if you built it the way you've drawn it. It's just a little on the shallow side, with less than average riser heights and longer than average tread widths. That's better than having them both too high or too low - another general rule is "the lower the rise; the wider the tread." Besides - none of the dimensions are really out of whack. And if you're building it for people with big feet who don't like lifting them very high - it's perfect. However, if the brick columns are drawn accurately, I don't see a problem cantilevering another 26" of joists over them. If you want, you could just extend a 26" "platform" out to the stairs. However, to be on the safe side, I'd put some vertical 4 x 4s under each outside joist where they meet the top of the stringer. Or - you could put the 26" platform at the bottom - you'd use a lot less 4 x 4 that way, but the slope of the ground might make it a bit dicier anchoring them. My 2 cents. Good luck! And yes - let's see a photo of the finished deck! __________________ If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors: "If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too." It won't hurt your fashion sense, either. Last edited by yournamehere; 07-14-2009 at 05:34 PM..

09-16-2009, 01:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
yournamehere Invisible Location: tentative, at best	Hey, Reese - it's been two months. Got a deck yet? Get out your camera! __________________ If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors: "If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too." It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

07-07-2009, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	That's a great illustration. If it were me I'd probably do the platform in the middle thing, but only because I think it looks a bit more interesting. I might even have a long platform at deck-level with stairs that head down at 90 degrees from the way you've presented them.