Ask Me Help Desk - How to build a deck staircase

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2 5/4 x6 decking and three 2x12 stringers with a 1 in. overhang.

I think that is your best choice.

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stringers set in one inch on both sides

I take it that means a 1" over hang on the ends of the treads. Strictly for aesthetics I'd go a little further. If post are on the outside of the stringer make ends of treads even with outside edge of post.

I'd use screws. Nails tend to back out over time. With the square and "spider" drive deck screws, screws are easy to drive. No need to drill pilot holes.

Looking through McFeely's catalog earlier today. Saw that they have a screw/nail. You shoot it with a nail gun for speed but it has a square drive head so you can remove it with square drive bit. Suppose to provide nearly the same pull out pressure as deck screws.

Manhatten

Thanks, just trying to understand what I am reading.

I'm cutting 2x12s open stringers three 6.5 rise and 10" run with two 5/4 x 6 no.1 premium decking to give me a 1" bullnose.. using 2" self tap deck screws (star head bit)

To meet code you are going to have to put something on the riser to break up the open space between the treads. You want open risers for snow removal and are going to use closed in stringer? Seems like a contradiction. I'd want the open stringer so I could push the snow off the end of the step.

Yes, I thought about it and prefer to have a solid staircase and it will be no less safe without the boarded risers.. IMO I think it is actually safer without boarded risers knowing that deep snow can be removed with a lot less effort using a broom or shovel. Pushing snow off through the open risers is a feature I can live with.. besides, I can always install risers should I have to but this is one exception to code staircase and my personal preference. Ty again,jon

well it turned out like this today.. I used a precut stringer as a template on a 16 ft 2x12... it turns out that I need 20ft stringers instead to reach the deck. I thought I used the calculator right but apparently the span from top deck to concrete needs at least two steps longer with the precut 6 1/2" rise with 10" run. I want open end stringers so I will just storage the 16 precut I made for a future project and get the 20fters needed for my open stringers. Here's a link I found to better guide me through the rest. http://www.co.campbell.va.us/depts/c...ck_details.pdf

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Several approaches to sertting up stringers, my usual approach is to go to Menards and buy a pre-cut set. How to cut stringers.

Ballenger is right, I bought a small precut stringer from home depot and used it for a template on my 16 ft 2x12.. not sure how I miscalculated but, the deck was too high for my precut to span. I know I must get 20ft 2x12s for the span to level the precuts.. still going with no.1 premium 5/4 x 6 treads. My landing is a croncrete patio so it really isn't critical for me to know exactly my point of landing.. the precut run and rise will dictate where the staircase lands.. I will make all three the same and leave enough to scribe cut for level. To attach the top stringer to deck boxframe , I will use one of the methods here http://www.co.campbell.va.us/depts/c...ck_details.pdf (figure 33 section 16 ) for securing the stringers to the boxframe. I think now I will have no problems with the span.. I'm using 4x4 x 10fters and bolting them midway upstairs with crossbraces and 4x4 4fters along the first step to support my railing system same section in link above.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

To meet code you are going to have to put something on the riser to break up the open space between the treads. You want open risers for snow removal and are going to use closed in stringer? Seems like a contradiction. I'd want the open stringer so I could push the snow off the end of the step.

I'm going to do this right and eventually put in risers.. might go 1x4s.. and will use a good rail system displayed like this one in section 16.
http://www.co.campbell.va.us/depts/c...ck_details.pdf

I finally finished my stairs!! Everything is code and turned out next to perfect.. riser install I will wait for this wet wood shrinkage

Congratulations.