How To Construct And Frame Outdoor Landing Steps?

If the total height of your stairs exceeds the building code limitation, a landing may be required. This can be done to break up a run of stairs with a landing as a place to rest or enjoy the view of a room or outdo. Learn how to build an L-shaped staircase with a landing using basic calculations and framing techniques. Measure the rise, and follow the step-by-step instructions and materials list for this beginner-level project.

Building exterior stairs with a landing requires three simple steps: materials needed, measurements and marking, and building the frame for the landing and stairs. To make things easier, build the landing and stairs first, then hang the upper stringers in place. Once that’s done, frame in the landing with plywood.

To design and construct stairs with landings that meet building code requirements, find information about calculating landing height, laying out and cutting stringers, and installing stair railing. The simplest and most code-compliant solution is to build a one-step-high, 8-ft.-long landing on top of the concrete slab that will extend at least 3 ft. beyond.

The book “How to Frame and Build Stairs” provides step-by-step detailed instructions on how to design, layout stair stringers, and build a staircase. Choose the type of outdoor staircase you want to use, determine the height of your deck stairs with landing, and configure your back.

How do you finish stairs with a landing?

In order to enhance the visual appeal of the landing, it is recommended to install a landing tread at the front edge of the landing and use 3/4″ tongue and groove flooring that matches the stair treads and landing tread. This will effectively transform the landing into an integral and aesthetically pleasing component of the staircase.

What is the rule of 27 for stairs?

Handrails must not protrude more than 4. 5 inches into the minimum width, ensuring a minimum clear width of 31. 5 inches for one side and 27 inches for both sides. Stairways not serving a building, porch, or deck, leading to nonhabitable attics, crawl spaces, or spiral stairways have separate minimum width requirements. Stair width and handrail requirements from the 2021 IRC apply for projects falling under the IBC, with two width requirements: minimum width and required capacity.

How much does it cost to build exterior stairs with landing?

The financial outlay required for the construction of exterior stairs is contingent upon the number of stairs to be constructed and the installation of a landing platform. Building codes typically mandate the inclusion of a landing pad at the base of the staircase. Additional costs may include the installation of a deck railing, which can range in price from $200 to $6, 000, and deck repairs, which can vary from $100 to $7, 500 for relatively straightforward repairs to $2, 500 to $10, 000 or more for more complex repairs.

How much room do you need for a staircase with landing?

Stairway landings must have a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway, with a width not less than the width of the stairways served. Landings must have a minimum depth equal to the width of the stairway or 48 inches, whichever is less. Doors opening onto a landing must not reduce the landing to less than half the required width, and when fully open, the door should not project more than 7 inches into a landing.

If a stairway requires an area of refuge, it must have a 30″ x 48″ space for every 200 occupants, and access to wheelchair spaces must not be obstructed by more than one adjoining wheelchair space. The area of refuge cannot overlap the required width of the landing.

Do I need planning permission for an external staircase?

Outdoor staircases may require planning permission laws depending on the location and type of staircase. While adding outdoor steps is unlikely to require planning permission, it might be necessary. Regulations for internal and external staircases can vary between councils, so it’s advisable to consult local planning authorities before starting a project. In the construction industry, it’s better to ask for permission than forgiveness. If you have any questions about installing staircases, planning permission, or our products, our customer care team is available to assist.

What is the golden rule for stairs?

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.

How to calculate stair stringers with landing?

In order to ascertain the height of stair stringers, it is first necessary to determine the total rise of the staircase. This is achieved by dividing the total rise by the estimated height of the stair risers, which is 7 to 7 3/4 inches. Subsequently, the total rise should be divided by the number of stairs to ascertain the precise height of the stair risers.

Do you put stair treads on landing?

To create a flush and level landing, it is recommended to piece stair treads together and glue them into one large piece before adding them to the landing. Rip off the bullnose edge from each tread except for the first tread, ensuring the treads sit flush together. Depending on the size of the landing, you may need to rip the last board down a bit more to fit. Lay the pieces out on the landing to ensure a good fit, then move them elsewhere and attach them together.

This method allows for flush and level pieces and eliminates the need for wood filler between the seams. Once the large landing piece is complete, secure it to the landing using glue, wood dowels, or nails. Sanding is essential for an even grain and makes stain or paintwash go on more evenly. If necessary, cut out a piece of stair tread to go around corners before attaching all boards together. Add weights, clamps, or stacks of books while the glue is drying to help the boards remain straight and level.

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.

What is the rule for stairs landing?

Landings must have a dimension equal to the width of the stairway, not exceeding 1. 20 meters (4 feet) when the stair has a straight run. Doors must not reduce the width by more than 9. 3 centimeters (3-1/2 inches) when fully open. If basement stairways and upper story stairways terminate in the same exit enclosure, an approved barrier must be provided and directional exit signs must be provided. Landings must be at least 3. 65 meters (12 feet) vertically apart.

What is the minimum distance for a stair landing?

It is imperative that the stair landing be a minimum of 600mm clear of cross-traffic, door swings, or other structures. Furthermore, the landing must not be less than the width of the stairway, with a minimum headroom of 2000mm. This may necessitate an increase in the minimum headroom if helmets are worn.