How to Build Deck Stairs Yourself

Last summer I rebuilt the stairs to the deck at my home. Yep, you heard me right. I did it myself. Building your own deck stairs isn't a difficult home improvement project but it does require some planning and basic construction knowledge.

First thing's first: Check your local building codes for permit requirements and building specifications.
Tools

The first step to building deck stairs is to have proper tools. I used a screw drill (also called a cordless drill), a circular saw, a tape measure, a triangle square, a level and a carpenter's pencil.

Lumber

The easiest and least time-consuming method for building stairs is to start with ready made stair stringers. The stringers are the sloped and notched boards that support the treads. Treads are the boards that you actually step on. Stair stringers can be bought at any lumber store or home improvement center while treads are usually cut to fit from two-by lumber. Depending upon the width of your deck stairs, you will need two or three stringers.
Risers are the vertical boards at the back of each tread and not all homeowners include risers on their deck stairs. That decision depends upon personal taste.

You will also need to purchase proper-width lumber to fit your stair stringers. Most often this would be 2x8, 2x10, 2x12 (or two 2x6 boards).

Preparing the Site

Stairs need to be a minimum of 36 inches in width but you might choose to make your stairs wider to allow two individuals to pass and for aesthetic purposes. If you go wider than 36 inches, you will need a third stringer to support the center of the stairs.

The stairs should rest on a concrete pad or paving stones. Stringers that rest on bare ground will not be as sturdy as the stairs will heave during weather and temperature fluctuations. If you opt to use paving stones, you will need to level them all with each other to ensure even spacing with the stringers.

You will need to mount your stairs at a 40-degree angle. Determine where your last stair should land , mark it, then rest a 2x4 on the deck, allowing the other end to rest at the spot you have marked. Measure this distance to get the approximate length of the stringers you will need.

Stairs

Once you have bought your stringers, you will need to mount them correctly against your deck. Put the stringers with the bottom edge on the concrete pad or pavers you have already moved into place then screw the top edge into position on the deck joist. Do this with the other stringers - measuring to ensure they are evenly spaced.
If you plan to include risers on your deck stairs, measure and cut those then screw into place. Measure and cut your treads to the appropriate length and attach.

A set of properly-built deck stairs are a must-have for utilitarian purposes and safety.

Sources:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2buildoutdoorstairs
http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/how-to-build-deck-stairs/article17859.html