Outdoor Deck Stairs With Landing

Adding stairs with a landing to your outdoor deck is a great way to improve the safety and accessibility of your outdoor space. However, it's important to plan and construct your stairs carefully to ensure that they are safe and code-compliant.

The first step in planning your stairs is to determine the height of the deck and the slope of the land. You'll want to choose a slope that is comfortable to walk on, but not so steep that it's dangerous. The International Residential Code (IRC) recommends a slope of no more than 1:12, which means that for every 12 inches of horizontal distance, the stairs should rise 1 inch.

Once you know the slope of your stairs, you can determine the number of steps you'll need. The IRC requires that steps be between 4 and 12 inches in height, with a maximum rise of 7 inches. The width of the steps should be at least 36 inches. You may also want to consider adding a landing to your stairs, which is a small platform that breaks up the climb. Landings are required by the IRC if your stairs have more than three steps.

Once you have determined the number of steps and the slope of your stairs, you can begin to build them. The first step is to excavate the area where the stairs will be located. The hole should be wide enough to accommodate the stairs and the landing, and deep enough to allow for the proper slope.

Once the hole is excavated, you can begin to install the stringers. Stringers are the supports that run along the sides of the stairs and support the treads. Stringers can be made of wood, metal, or concrete. Once the stringers are installed, you can begin to install the treads. Treads are the horizontal boards that you walk on. Treads can be made of wood, metal, or concrete.

Once the treads are installed, you can begin to install the risers. Risers are the vertical boards that fill in the space between the treads. Risers can be made of wood, metal, or concrete. Once the risers are installed, your stairs are complete.

Adding stairs with a landing to your outdoor deck is a great way to improve the safety and accessibility of your outdoor space. By following the tips in this article, you can build stairs that are safe, code-compliant, and beautiful.