Stairs for your deck not only add to the convenience of the deck but also beautifies your deck.  You need not hire a contractor to do this as you can easily do it on your own.  How to build steps for a deck would depend on the height of your deck and this can be made before or after the deck boards are in place. Wearing safety glasses is recommended before you get started.  These are easy standard measurements and procedures to follow:

1. Make a diagram of your deck stairs with the dimensions and measurements. Start with the height of your deck.  Divide the deck height by 7 or 6 inches and you will get the exact number of steps you’ll need from the ground and to the top of your deck.  A fraction of an inch can be rounded off. You can also check with your local code for some specifications in your area.

2. Calculate the T or the tread.  This is the actual width of the step from the front to the back. Twice the R or the riser height, plus the tread-width should be between 24 and 46 inches.  In formula form, it’s (2 x R) + T = 24 to 26 inches.  So for a 6 inch riser, the tread should then be between 12 & 14 inches.  Furthermore, the recommended width of a comfortable step is 4 feet wide.

3. Start building the steps.  Pour foundation and add a kicker plate if desired. This is the board attached to the foundation with bolts or concrete nails. Based on your measurements, make a stringer or a board that has the pattern measured and cut into it. Start with marking the height dimension of the step onto the short-arm of the framing square, and then place this onto the board with this mark at the outside edges of the board. Then, hold in place the square, sliding it up and down until the width dimension that is on the long-arm of the square is actually on edge of the board. Trace then, around the outside edge of the square framing, and this should look just like a V. Continue marking the treads to look like VVV, depending on the number in your diagram.

4. Using a hand saw, cut along the traced line, but before that subtract the tread’s thickness from the bottom part of the stringer then notch out the bottom to have a perfect fit on the kicker plate.  As soon as that’s done, check the alignments with the deck and make another one. To exposed joists, attach the tops of the stringer and further attach the bottom of the stringers to the kicker plate with lag screws.

5. Cut risers and treads leaving ¾ inch overhang on both sides.  You can now nail risers in place and add treads, remembering to fasten the bottom edges of the risers to the back of the treads. Now your deck steps are complete, but nobody is stopping you from installing a handrail, especially if you have more than three treads. Painting your steps to match the color of your deck is also an option.

Knowing how to build steps for your deck is easy but requires your full attention, especially in doing the measurements.  Errors on this will make your steps uneven and unreliable.  By simply following the procedures above, you can achieve a carpentry project you can be proud of.  This is a good weekend activity that will challenge your craftsmanship and hidden skills, not to mention making savings during these trying times. If saving money is not really an issue, consider donating this to a charitable institution in your area.