How to Design Deck Stairs

The deck is generally an outdoor structure connected to a building. It usually builds from the ground. It helps support weight like a floor. The entrance to a deck may be from the house or from the ground, through a stairway. The deck stair designs ideas can be used to build a stair deck. It depends upon the availability of space and the position of the deck, different shapes, sizes and designs can be chosen to add to the home decor. To construct stairs is one of the most intricate tasks of carpentry. A well - built staircase with a good deck stair designs adds beauty of the house.

In having some deck stair designs thoughts and the process to build them could have a step-by-step process. The very first thing to do is to have a list. Fill in the empty space on the deck specs form. This information will give as the basis for completing the materials list. One should get the measurements from the conceptual plan created in the previous tutorial. The following steps will help to fill in the quantities for each item. When this list is complete, one will be able to set a budget for the deck stair designs project by getting an estimate from the lumberyard or putting the project out to bid. Make a copy of this list and begin.

For the ledger estimation, measure how many feet of wall will support the deck stair designs and add 10% for waste. Make sure to add a waste factor, use 10% as a minimum.

For the concrete estimation, this project calls for concrete pads measuring 18 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches deep. Do not forget to add the 10% to the total for waste.

In estimating concrete piers, simply count the number of concrete pads; it will need a concrete pier for each pad. It is not necessary to include a waste factor for piers.

For the posts estimation, make sure the posts are over 18 inches above the ground. Calculate the number of concrete pads and multiply that number by the average height of the deck above the ground. Take care that the individual post heights fall evenly into a common 4x4 lengths; 4x4's come in two foot increments starting at 8 feet--8'-10'-12' and so on.

The girders are 4x6's on this deck stair designs and will run the same direction as the deck boards. This sketch calls for girders spaced 6 feet 8 inches apart and supported by piers every 6 feet check applicable joist span tables. Girders should be supported on three piers where make the minimum desirable length 12 feet, remember the piers are 6 feet apart.

The joists are distanced 16 inch on center and will run perpendicular to the girders and deck boards. Add 1 to that to figure the total number of joists. This deck stair designs will require 24 joists spaced at 16 inches on center. Multiply this number by the deck width (20 feet) to estimate the total linear foot of 2x6 joists, 460 linear feet plus 10% (46) equals 510 (round up.)

This deck stair designs will have 2 x 6 decking, a 2 x 6 is usually 5 ½ inches instead of 6 as the name implies. So a standard 2 x 6 one foot long (a linear foot of 2x6) will cover .46 square feet. Our deck is 600 square feet (20 x 30) so there will be 600 / .46 = 1,304 linear feet of deck boards. Make sure to include a 10% waste factor (134 feet) and the total is 1434 linear feet of 2 x 6.

For the stairs, this deck stair designs is 30 inches above the ground and has one set of stairs 36 inches wide. To figure the actual number of steps, divide 30 inches by 6 inches--5 steps, the last one being the deck itself. Height of deck above ground divided by 6 equal the number of steps. To figure stringer length, multiply the number of steps by 16 inches for each stringer. Our deck has five steps times 16 inches--80 inches-6 feet 8 inches.

This deck stair designs has guard railings on both sides and hand railings on the stairs. Measure the open sides of the deck and add the stair rail. Get the stair rail length from the stair stringer length in step nine. Calculate the deck stair designs one 8-foot 4x4 (post) for each 6 feet of rail, 2 feet of 2x4 (top and bottom rail) for each 1 foot of rail and 2.2 1x2 (baluster) for each foot of rail.

Use galvanized nails, metal connectors and bolts to connect your deck parts. Figure one pound of 16d-galvanized nails for each 10 square feet of deck; then use the double hot dipped galvanized kind. Each joist will need two joist hangars. Each post should have a post cap to connect it to the girder it supports.