How to add stairs to your deck

The deck in your house provides an additional open area. It is a great place to celebrate a small get together and even serves as a good place for relaxation. Now you can add stairs from the ground that leads directly to the deck. By doing this you can maintain the privacy in your room. For building stairs, you can always hire a carpenter. However, you can do it for yourself also. Though it will be bit tough but adding stairs to your deck all by yourself can be a good pass time if carpentry is your hobby. Here is a guide on building stairs by yourself.

Deck stairs

 First, make sure you have all the necessary tools. The list includes the following – Drill, Handsaw, measuring tape, Shovel, Wheelbarrow, Trowel, Level, Framing square, Circular saw, Pea gravel, Fast-drying cement, Angle brackets, Deck screws and Masonry anchors. Now determine the number of steps needed from the ground to the deck and the height and width of the steps.

Deck stairs

Mark the area on the ground from where you will start building the stairs. Ones you have done this, now is the time to prepare the concrete footer. After making, the footer cut the side of the stairs, which are also known as stringers. Once you are done with cutting the stringers, attach it to the deck and the footer. You need to be very careful while doing this. The foot of the stringer must rest on the concrete footer and the other end of the stringer must be attached against the face of the deck. After this, it is time to make the treads.  The tread width has to be 2′ more than the stair width. That means, the stair treads must overlap the stringers by 1″ on both sides. Once you are done with this, now is the time to make the railings. You finish this final task and you are ready with the stairs leading to the deck.

Deck stairs

Building stairs by yourself can be a very tough and challenging job. You need to master at least the basic of carpentry. Moreover, stairs must be strong enough to support heavy weights. If you are not good in carpentry, it is advisable to hire an experienced carpenter to build the stairs for you. He can give it a better finish. And, if you are still willing to do it all by yourself, do get your friend or family member to help you.