Plans to build box steps for a deck by sarah tidwell.
Build a deck box step.
Sure building deck stairs can be tricky.
To do so substitute 1 x 6 treated boards for the tongue and groove cedar boards.
Use nails possibly longer ones and a hammer to nail the box step to the deck.
Make sure the step is sturdy before allowing other people to use it.
The standard way to build steps is to cut stringers out of 2 x 10 or 2 x 12 lumber and to secure those to the deck or porch.
The specific placement of the nails will depend on the design of your steps and the deck.
This is for safety and ease of construction.
This is a very informative video that describes that standard method.
Stairs on decks are typically wide and short.
The house deck is an ingenious way of extending the house and inexpensive when compared to the cost of an addition.
The maximum riser height is 8 and the minimum tread depth is 10.
Instead i chose to build a series of modified boxes that stack one on top of the other.
The final measurement is the depth of each stair which is called the unit run.
Building box steps for a deck is not as hard as making the deck itself.
Most deck builders use 2x6 material to frame the stair boxes and use 2 5 4x6 deck boards for each tread with a 1 2 overhang over the riser board.
Building a lengthy unit run is vital to the safety of your friends and family.
The deck surface is considered a step so if you have a 20 inch rise you will build one step and the deck will be your second step.
Attach the box step to the deck.
The first step is to measure the height of the stairs to determine the number of stairs you need to build.
A typical deck stair tread or top is made with two deck boards side by side.
Decks are a relatively inexpensive way of extending houses and access to their entrance is usually made if you build deck steps box steps made on private property don t have to follow a specific dimension of course however if the steps are being constructed upon public property then it is important to check for applicable rules with the building and or the fire codes.
If you plan to paint the box however a more economical alternative would be to build it with pressure treated wood.
I chose not to use that method.
When building steps it is essential to build every step the same height as the others to prevent tripping.
But in this story we ll make it easy by showing you how to estimate step dimensions layout and cut stair stringers and assemble the stair parts.
Allow the treated lumber to dry thoroughly before priming and painting it.
