How To Build Basement Stairs Outside?

This DIY exterior staircase project focuses on building stairs from start to finish, ensuring they meet recommended standards for basement stairs, especially in older homes. The project involves careful measurements, precise cutting, and the use of the right materials. To ensure safety, it is essential to check local building codes and follow any restrictions or guidelines.

When building a new home, plan the foundation to include an exterior staircase and entry basement doors. The foundation contractor can build a foundation extension or areaway to fit the door. The project will discuss the parts and tools needed, go through each step of construction, and offer suggestions on how to customize the front door feature for maximum security.

Constructing basement stairs requires careful measurements, precise cutting, and the use of the right materials. It is important to consider local safety codes when planning the build of your basement staircase. The walkout stairs will have around 10 steps, and the existing wall is an 8 inch x 8 inch x 16 inch concrete block.

The project may involve digging, building stairs, cutting the foundation wall for the door, framing, and installing the door. If the latter is preferred, it is recommended to follow the guidelines provided in the DIY basement finishing course.

How do you waterproof exterior concrete stairs?

To waterproof concrete steps, apply two coats of mastic asphalt to stringers, risers, and treads, and apply angle filler in vertical and horizontal parts for a water-tight finish. Solar reflective paint is recommended to prolong the lifespan of the waterproofing membrane, as UV rays can break down the membrane over time. Without it, the sun may draw bitumen out faster, potentially causing slumping in summer months. Additionally, asphalt without solar reflective paint may lose color in intense sunlight.

Mastic asphalt is an excellent waterproofing material, used for roofs, steps, balconies, and basements, providing a seamless waterproof layer that can last over 20 years. It has been used as an effective waterproofing membrane for over a century.

How to waterproof a basement stairwell?

To effectively waterproof your basement stairs, follow these five steps:

1. Re-grade your yard, repair any cracks, thoroughly clean the staircase, and install a grated drainage pipe system.

2. Seal the stairway to prevent moisture buildup and mold.

3. Repair any cracks, clean the staircase thoroughly, and install a grated drainage pipe system.

4. Install a grated drainage pipe system to prevent water seepage from the stairway.

5. Regularly inspect and maintain the stairway to ensure it remains dry and prevent mold, musty smells, and wood rot.

By following these steps, you can ensure your basement stairs remain dry and beautiful, preserving the integrity of your home.

What are the outside stairs to the basement called?

Bulkhead entrances, basement perm-entries, basement entryways, and basement steps are easy access options made from reinforced pre-cast concrete. These units pass the new international Egress code and feature Bilco cellar doors. They provide a direct way out in emergencies and open up valuable family activities. The metal doors are made of rugged heavy gauge steel, with a neat trim appearance, Torsion bar door operators, inside locking device, automatic hold open door catches, and flanged, watertight construction.

What is the best option for basement stairs?

Homeowners often choose carpeting, hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, vinyl flooring, and tile flooring for basement stairs. Carpeting provides warmth and sound insulation, while hardwood floors add value but can be expensive and require regular maintenance. Laminate floors offer similar benefits but at a lower cost, with less upkeep required over time. Vinyl floors are popular due to their durability, slip resistance, and low cost compared to other materials. Overall, carpeting, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile flooring are popular choices for basement stairs flooring.

How do you keep water from running outside stairs into a basement?

An A-frame awning or roof can be constructed over stairs to deflect water towards the sides of the stairway. However, it is impossible to block part of the windows while still allowing enough headroom at the top of the stairs for people to walk in or out. Darin Costantine, the general sales manager for A. Hoffman Awning in Baltimore, suggests an awning with a ridgeline that extends straight out from the house for about five feet and then angles up toward the top of the stairs.

The company supplies aluminum or steel framing, with steel being stronger. The frames have welded joints and are designed to be left out year-round and last for decades. Covers can be cloth or vinyl and typically last eight to 10 years before needing replacement. The total cost for a cover for a stairway might be $4, 000 to $5, 000.

How to add an outside entrance to a basement?

The process of installing an egress to a basement involves excavating the yard area, cutting a full-size door opening in the foundation, installing a lintel to support the house above the opening, framing the opening, installing an exterior-grade door, pouring concrete stairs or precast steps, and adding proper drainage and waterproofing measures. The law requires homeowners to add an egress to their basements as points of exit in potential emergencies.

Different models, such as bulkheads, full-height entrances, or window wells, have their own advantages and disadvantages. Most licensed general contractors can install egress and obtain necessary permits.

Which is cheaper concrete stairs or wood stairs?

The cost of concrete steps can reach up to $300 per unit, while wood steps typically cost approximately $200 per unit. Nevertheless, concrete has a longer lifespan, which makes it a more cost-effective material.

Can I turn my basement into a walkout?

A walkout addition to an existing basement is feasible, provided that there is sufficient space to accommodate an opening in one wall. Access to the area in question necessitates the presence of stairs, ramps, or a patio area. Excavation around the foundation wall may be required, and interior remodeling may be necessary. A structural engineer can evaluate the foundation, framing, and insulation to ascertain their compliance with the relevant building codes prior to the commencement of construction.

Are basement stairs load bearing?

It is not possible for stairs to be load-bearing; however, the walls that surround the stairwell and the stairs themselves can be.

What is the cheapest way to finish basement stairs?

In a typical basement climate, the use of natural fiber carpet on upper-story staircases is not recommended. Synthetic carpet may be employed as an alternative, but paintable finishes are the preferred option due to their ease of application and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, paint or clear finishes may be aesthetically pleasing, but they can also present a potential hazard due to their slippery nature.

How to finish concrete basement stairs?

Basement stairs can be improved with laminate plank flooring, painting the risers, staining the treads, and installing a carpet runner. Vinyl flooring is less involved but more expensive, suitable for DIYers. Having a door at the top of basement stairs is recommended to block the view and prevent children or pets from entering. Vinyl plank flooring is preferred due to its mold resistance and moisture resistance.

Carpeting is a more affordable option and provides better traction, making it a better choice for those with frequent visitors. Despite the cost, both options are suitable for most DIYers. Having a door at the top of basement stairs can also prevent accidental falls and children from entering.