How To Build Stairs
By Dave Markel
Learning how to build stairs is not nearly as hard as you may think. With some basic wood tools and a bit of algebra you can easily build your own. Of course this can get a bit tricky for stairs with several landings but the method is still the same.
This article will cover the steps for how to build stairs that are straight. Chances are if you are reading this then you are still learning and won't be taking on a complex stair anyway.
Now, we will assume that it is from a deck to a concrete pad. The deck is going to be 48" wide and at eye level from the ground.
Tools you will need:
- Circular saw
- Framing square
- Hand saw
- Carpenters pencil
- Measuring tape
- 4' Level
- Masking tape
You will also need:
- 3 @ 10' / 2" x 12" boards - Choose the best only, make sure they are straight with no check (cracks). Very Important!
- 2 @ 8' / 2" x 4" boards
- 8 @ 8' / 2" x 6" boards - Once again choose the good ones. These are going to be the steps so...
- 1 @ 45" / 2" x 6" boards
- 1 sheet of plywood @ 1/2" / 8" x 48"
- Of course, 3-1/2" framing nails and deck screws or nails for the steps.
Find the overall rise
We want to know the exact vertical distance from the top of the concrete pad to the top of the deck. Take one of the 8' 2x4's and rest one end on the deck and hold the other over the pad, Place the level on the 2x4 and level the board. Then simply measure from the bottom of the 2x4 to the pad. Lets say it is 64". This is the overall rise.
Now determine the overall run
Before we can do this we have to determine how many steps we need.
Take the overall rise, 64", and divide it by 7.25", which is the typical height of 1 riser (step). This gives us 8.83, which rounds up to 9, So we will go with 9 risers.
Important: There is always 1 less tread then risers. Whether you go up or down the last step is onto the deck or the pad. So 1 less tread.
Now we take 10.5", the width of a typical step, and multiply it by 8. This gives us 84". This is the overall run.
While we are doing the math we need to figure out the exact rise of each step. We simply take the overall rise of 64" and divide it by 9 and we get 7.111" or 7-1/8", or close enough to it. So each riser will be 7-1/8".
Time for some layout
This is a very important step when learning how to build stairs. Grab your framing square. The long leg is the tread (step) leg and the short leg is the riser leg. Also, use the numbers on the outside of the square only.
Take some masking tape and wrap a piece around the framing square to establish you rise and run. Mark 10.5" on the outside of the long leg and 7-1/8" on the outside of the short leg.
Layout one of the 2x12's on your saw horses or work bench. WIth the long leg of your framing square towards the end of the board start to line up the tape marks to the edge of the board facing you. Once you have the square in position mark the outside edge of it with your pencil.
Continue to do this until you have the required number of steps, 8 in this case. This first riser is always shorter by the thickness of the steps, for us that is 1.5". This makes the first riser 5-5/8".
How To Build Stairs con't
Cut 'em out
Now use you circular saw to cut out the stringers (technical name for 2x12 with stair marks on it) being sure to cut on the waste side of the line. When you cut into the corner with a circular saw the blade misses some of the wood on the bottom side of the board. This is fine, simply cut up to the line and stop, then finish the cut with your hand saw.
Now use the first stringer as a template for the other two. Lay the stringer onto the 2x12's and trace around
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