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The next step is to build stairs for our deck this deck requires stairs in three locations from the larger upper deck to the smaller lower deck. From the lower deck to the ground and from the in of the upper deck to the ground. Now determining stair size is a bit of a science and here is another instance where you should consult a good resource like decks 1, 2, 3 to get all the details and formulas you will need. But a good general rule about outdoor stairs is this twice the riser hike or the vertical part of the step plus the run of the step which is the horizontal part should equal between 24 and 27 inches. Another rule about out door stairs is they should be at least three feet wide for easy traffic flow and safe use and most coach require a three-foot minimum anyway. Okay once you have done the math and figure out how many steps you need you will need to cut stringers. Stringers are the wooden frames for the steps you will use a framing square to transfer the measurement to a piece of lumber. On our deck, we are suing two by twelve’s.
After you mark of all the steps use a circular saw to cut most of the way and a jigsaw to finish you do not want to cut past the mark in the corner because this will weekend your stairs. The good news is that once you cut one good stringer you will not have to measure again simply use the first stringer as a template for the others. Now we need to attach the stringer to the deck. First, we install a stair hanger or cross bridge constructed from two by fours this will allow us to install the stringers at the proper height to make the first step continue installing stringers 16 inches apart for the width of your stairs. We are toenailing are stringers on this deck. Now we will install the risers or the vertical part of the stairs you can leave the risers open if you like but for a more finish look, we are installing lumber over this openings. For the treads we use decking boards for a finish coordinated look we attached the treads with decks screws.
We build the other two set of stairs in a similar way to finish our deck we need railings most building codes require railing for decks over 30 inches in height and most codes require this railings to be at least 36 inches high. For railing post we use four by four, the post is match out to allow it over hang the deck on to the header or ream joist. We minor cut the post corners to give them a finish look. Our decking over hangs the headers and reams joists before we can attached our match post we must measure in match out the decking boards first. Once the decking is match out we attached the post with nails insuring that they are level. Between post we install rails so that we will have something to attached the balusters or pickets to. We are suing two by four for our top and bottom rails once this rails are nailed to the post we can attached the balusters. By code balusters have to be close enough, together so that a four-inch sphere can not past between them we attached the balusters with nails across the two by four rails.
Once the post are on the stairs we hold the two by four up to mark the angle cuts we need to make. After the top and bottom rails are in place we use a reciprocating saw to angle cut the top of the post to make it flash with the rail. Now all we need to do to finish the railings is to install the top piece the capriole. On our deck, we will once again be suing decking boards for this we lay the capriole over the balusters and post and attached it with decking screws we continue this all around the perimeter of the deck mitering the joints where the cap railings meet. At the top of the stair, railings we have to match are caprioles to fit around the post as a nice finishing touch we make angle cut or dog ears on the corners of the caprioles and then wrap the edges to a nice rounded finish. Now the only thing we have left to do is to construct and install the step platform coming from the house exterior door on to the deck.
We construct the frame of the platform of the plat form on the ground and then take it up to the large deck and position it and attach it. We cover it with decking board and once again finish the edges with a router for a professional look. And there we have it are completed two level deck built with pressured treated lumber looks pretty nice do it if you use pressured treated lumber you will want to protect your deck. Periodic application of a high quality clear water repellant or semi-transparent stain with water repellant helps to minimize warping splitting and other weathering problems. You may need to wait a certain period of time after you build your deck to apply the sillier or stain because pressured treated wood is wet when it is new. Consult your wood manufacturers recommendations on any waiting times, remember it is important to regularly to maintain any deck no matter what it is made of well we hope you have learn something and been inspired by watching this videos. Good luck building your deck. See you next time.
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