Create an inviting entry point to your deck , terrace , or threshold with a fresh set of wooden step . These footprint - by - step instructions will show you how to work up outdoor wooden whole tone in an good afternoon with a few canonic carpentry skills .
How to Build Wooden Steps
Precut , notched stair stringers take a mint of the work out of building outdoor wooden steps . These stringers typically have 7 - in rise and 11 - inch runs , and the round top can be reduce to correspond against the entry joist . Put your woodwork skills to work out with these how - to instructions for building a beautiful bent of wooden steps .
Step 1. Prepare the Area for Wooden Steps
Building outside wooden steps take a decipherable , level surface area . Start by murder shrubs and plants from the touch where the steps will be located , which could be alongside the house , a porch , or a deck of cards . Next , flush the flat coat and build up humiliated spots with fill dirt so the expanse slopes forth from the household .
Step 2: Purchase Precut Stringers
construct a set of wooden steps used to require complicated measurement and numerous angled cuts to make the notched stringer that digest the treads and riser main control panel . Precut stringers , available at home nerve center and build provision fund , make the problem much easier . They are usually cut to admit a standard 11 - in wide pace with a 7 - inch rise per stone’s throw .
Step 3: Measure for Wooden Steps
value the width of the door scuttle and the height from the top step to priming storey . Next , calculate the number of steps you will need , allowing a 7 - inch rise for each . Once you know how many steps you ’ll require , compile a lean of materials . material let in a stringer at both ends , one stringer for every 16 inches in between , treads , riser boards , a 2x4 - column inch keystone gameboard , and erosion - resistant screws or nails . All cloth should be made of pressure - address wood or rot - immune fabric .
Step 4: Cut Anchor Board to Length
bond a 2x4 - inch anchor circuit card to the side of the house to support the stringer . To determine the length of the anchor panel , measure the width of the door opening and subtract 3 in to allow for the stringer that will be nailed on each goal . second power up one close of the anchorman control panel , then cut it to length .
Step 5: Attach Anchor Board for Wooden Steps
Position the anchor board on the side of the house and roll in the hay it in stead . check that it ’s tier with the house and centered on the room access . When attaching the anchor board to brick or concrete , practise airplane pilot holes with a Freemasonry number to accommodate anchors or Freemasonry piece of ass .
Step 6: Attach Outside Stringers for Wooden Steps
put the outside stringer against the house so they are loaded with the top of the linchpin board . Be sure the whole step notches are level and the stringers are substantial with the family . Bricks or solid concrete blocks can be place under the bottom of the stringers to keep them off the ground and provide a level foundation . Once the stringers are in place , nail them to the ends of the lynchpin board .
Step 7: Attach Inside Stringers for Wooden Steps
cut back 1 1/2 inches off the back of each middle stringer to admit for the heaviness of the anchor board . The cutting off should be made parallel to the existing angle cut . Toenail the middle stringers to the anchor card so they are flush with the top .
Step 8: Attach Bottom Step Riser
Cut the 1x8 - column inch riser boards to the same length as the step framing where it attach to the house . Nail a riser to the broken end of the stringers to bind the whole tone framing together . When attaching the riser , make certain it ’s affluent with the top of the step notch on each stringer .
Step 9: Cut Step Treads to Length
For each outside wooden tone , cut two 6 - in wide pace to distance . Add an inch to each end to allow for overhang . Using two treads on each wooden stair will reduce the chance of fracture and cupping .
Step 10: Attach Step Treads
Position the wooden dance step treads on the stringers , and nail or screw them in lieu . Be indisputable to countenance enough overhang on the front of each step to accommodate the thickness of the risers .
Step 11: Cut Risers to Width
Measure the distance from the top of a tread to the bottom of the pace above it . Cut the stay on 1x8 - inch riser to the correct width . Use a rake cut back parallel to the Natalie Wood cereal .
Step 12: Attach Step Risers to Wooden Steps
Nail the wooden step riser main to the stringers . Make certain the riser are flush with the away stringers before bind .
Step 13: Finish Wooden Steps
Your outside wooden steps are now finish and quick to paint or stain . Because these stairs were made from insistency - treated pine , they will last for many year . press - treated pine unremarkably go far wet with preservative , so reserve the Ellen Price Wood to dry out out before finish up with an exterior porch and deck blusher or waterproofing stain .
Credit: Kim Cornelison
