How To Construct A Flight Of Steps Outside?

This DIY exterior staircase project focuses on building stairs from start to finish, using wood, concrete, gravel, and rebar. The process involves preparing the area for wooden steps, measuring the total rise to the deck landing, and determining the number of risers, treads, and stringers needed. The video shows a general contractor demolishing an old, large outdoor staircase and building a new one in its place.

When building deck stairs, it is essential to comply with local building codes to ensure safety. The project is daunting, but a detailed tutorial will guide you through the process step by step. Step 1 involves measuring the total rise to the deck landing, calculating the number of risers, treads, and cut angles on the rails.

To build a stair set under one meter in width, two stringers should be enough. However, it is recommended to check the rules and regulations of your local building code before proceeding.

In summary, building outdoor wooden steps requires a clear, level area, and careful planning. Building stairs requires a clear, level area, and adherence to local building codes.

What is the formula for stair layout?

The Blondel Formula, developed by 17th-century French architect François Blondel, is a golden rule in architecture that helps calculate stairs that are comfortable to walk on. It states that 2 Risers + 1 Tread = 25 inches (63-65 cm), and that there is no true standard stride length across all ages. To ensure additional comfort, the sum of one riser plus one tread (r+T) should be close to 18 inches (46cm). Following these rules ensures a comfortable stride for most people.

Do exterior stairs need footings?

Stairways require a footing at the bottom to support the stringers, which must be sized to support the load on the stairs, as quantified by the International Residential code. The footings should be 12 inches deep for freestanding decks and 12 inches deep for decks connected to the house via a ledger. The stair footing must be set to the frost depth or deeper for the area, while the deck must be 12 inches deep for freestanding decks.

The IRc does not provide prescriptive designs for footings at stairways, but the Design for code Acceptance (DcA) 6 Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck construction Guide provides a solution, showing 4×4 guardrail posts alongside the stringers.

These posts bear on top of concrete footings placed at either frost depth or the 12-inch minimum depth, whichever is deeper. Jack studs are fastened beneath the bottom of the stringer to transfer the stringer load to the footing.

How much does it cost to build a set of exterior stairs?

The cost of wood deck stairs is typically between $115 and $210 per stair when professionally installed, or $440 to $1, 350 for most deck stair projects. Decorative aluminum stringers or fiberglass or composite treads can increase the cost to $170 to $250 per stair. Railing costs start at $30 per linear foot, with cable and glass railings costing significantly more. Deck repair costs are primarily determined by materials, number of steps, and contractor.

How to plan a set of stairs?

In the process of planning to construct stairs, it is of the utmost importance to determine the riser height, which is one of the two or three key factors that must be taken into consideration.

What is the ideal rise and run for exterior stairs?

When planning outdoor stairs, consider five basic design elements: Total Run, Total Rise, Run, Rise, and Passage Width. The slope of the stairway should be between 30 degrees and 35 degrees, with an ideal riser height of 7 inches with an 11-inch run. The passage width can also vary depending on the weight of the stairs, with 36 inches being the minimum for a single person and 48 inches for a single person.

A stairway consists of four basic components: Stringers, Treads, Risers, and Railing Assembly. Stringers support the stairway and are typically made from good quality material like pressure-treated pine or 2×2 lumber. Treads are horizontal members that walk on, while Risers are vertical members at the back of each tread. Surfaced boards (3/4″ net thickness) are the most common material used.

The Railing Assembly consists of posts, a cap rail, and vertical balusters between each post. Codes regulate the overall height of the railing assembly (usually 30″ to 34″) and may specify a maximum width for the handrail.

Total rise is calculated by dividing the total run by the number of risers, which can range from 5. 78 up to 6 risers. The passage width can also vary depending on the amount of stairs to be used. Overall, the design of an outdoor stairway should consider these factors to ensure a comfortable and functional space.

What is the 7 11 rule for stairs?

The IBC and ADA require uniformity of risers and treads for safe walking up or down stairs. The 7/11 rule applies, with riser heights between 7 and 4 inches and tread depths between 11 and 11 inches. However, the IBC allows for variance between the highest and lowest risers and between the deepest and narrowest treads. Open risers can be allowed if the opening is narrower than 4 inches, but they are prohibited for disabled-accessible stairways. Design elements like a 1. 25-inch nose on treads spread 5 inches apart can be compliant. Risers must also not slope more than 30 degrees over the tread below.

What is the 27 rule for stairs?

Stairways must be at least 36 inches in width, with exceptions. The building code specifies a minimum width based on the area above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. If handrails are installed on each side, the required width is 27 inches (686 mm) and 31-1/2 inches (800 mm) if only one handrail is installed. Inspectors don’t need to worry about trim, stringers, or other items below the handrail’s projection, as long as they don’t exceed the handrail’s projection.

Spiral stairways can be as narrow as 26 inches (660 mm). The number of stringers installed at a wood-framed stairway is related to the 36-inch minimum width. If cut stringers are used, at least three are required, spaced no more than 18 inches on center. If the stairway is wider than 36 inches, four stringers should be installed. A combination of cut and solid stringers can be used, but the maximum spacing between the stringers should be 18 inches (457 mm) on center.

Which is cheaper concrete or steel stairs?

Steel stairs are more affordable than concrete stairs due to their lower cost and ability to withstand more time, effort, and labor. Concrete stairs are ideal for residential, commercial, or industrial properties that emphasize functionality over form. Concrete is fire-resistant, making it ideal for fire exit staircases and absorbs noise and heat, reducing heating costs. The choice between concrete and steel stairs depends on your preferences, needs, budget, and priorities.

Choosing between the two depends on your preferences, needs, and priorities. Choosing between concrete and steel stairs can be easier with professional advice. Aussie Balustrading, a Perth-based custom staircase manufacturer, offers a range of stairs, including steel and stainless steel stairs, wireless balustrading, glass pool fencing, and handrails for residential and commercial use.

How do you make a simple set of stairs?

Stairs are a crucial component of construction projects, consisting of three main parts: stringers, treads, and risers. Stringers are diagonal boards that support weight as people walk up stairs, while treads are the top baseboards onto which you step. Risers are placed perpendicularly under each tread. To build stairs, measure the height of the area to determine the number of risers, cut the stringer boards to size with a circular saw, and install them.

Cut the risers to be exactly the same height for each step and insert them. Measure, cut, and secure the treads in place. The total rise, also known as the total rise, is the height of the stairs, and if you don’t plan to make the top step level with the area where the stairs begin, account for this gap in your measurement.

Are concrete stairs cheaper than wood?

The installation of concrete steps is a more costly process than that of wooden steps, due to the greater time required for their construction and the inherent physical properties of concrete. The cost of concrete steps can reach up to $300 per unit, whereas wooden steps typically cost approximately $200 per unit. Nevertheless, concrete steps have a longer lifespan, which makes them a more cost-effective choice.

What is the minimum tread depth for exterior stairs?

In accordance with the exterior stair tread code, adherence to IBC section 1011 is mandatory. 5. Stair treads and risers must have a minimum depth of 11 inches. Furthermore, compliance with IBC Section 1011 is required. 7. 2 for outdoor stair walking surfaces, which requires that stairways and approaches to stairways be designed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of water on walking surfaces.