Planning the Right Type of Stairs for Your Deck

Whether you are building a low deck with only a step or two, or a very tall option that will need a longer staircase, you will want to apply plenty of planning and more thought to your decision. Three may even be some tricky construction calculations to get right.

Not only do your stairs need to be safe and match local building codes for safety, but they need to look great too.

• Your stairs can’t be too short or too tall and there is absolutely no room for error.

• There are many different styles and options available so taking the time to speak with a knowledgeable contractor is always a good idea.

Here are the three primary components of good deck

• Stringers — the sloped boards that support the stairs from below
• Risers — the part you walk on
• Treads — the space between the steps

There are six different ways that you can consider applying stairs to your deck: Spiral stairs, straight stairs, straight stairs with landings, multiple staircases, wide steps and no steps.

When to NOT use deck steps
• There are typically two situations in which you will not need to plan steps. First, if a deck is not too far off the ground and if the deck is elevated and designed to not be accessed by stairs.

• If you are looking to save cash and do not need stairs, you can shave some costs of labor and materials from your project.

When to use wide deck steps
• Wider deck steps are always an attractive option and can also provide seating room if needed. You can even take this idea to another level – pun intended– by considering especially wide steps for use near the ground or in multi-tiered projects.

When to use straight deck stairs

• Straight stairs are the most common choice for use inside and outside the home. They are fairly straight forward in design and easy to construct.

• A straight set of stairs will take up a lot less room than a multi-directional set of stairs. Therefore you will need to consider which configuration is best for dimensions of your home and garden.

When to use deck stairs with landings

• When the deck is very high off the ground a straight set of steps could be too long to fit into your properties layout. This may call for your series of steps to be separated by a landing and made into an L-shape or any other arrangement that best suits the situation.

• Landings have their own set of benefits, including visual advantages and safety. But, the construction of this type of structure requires a different set of calculations.

When to use multiple sets of stairs for reaching your deck:

• Just like in the interior of your home, if your deck is more than one level, you will need stairs that connect each level to the one above and below. You may even want another set of stairs connecting to the yard.

• Then if you have a single plane deck and want it to be accessible from more than one location, you may consider a set of multiple stairs which is more convenient.

When to use cascading stairs

• Decks that are raised just a little off the ground could be connected around corners with cascading steps. This allows a smooth transition from various surface levels to the backyard. This arrangement is generally best for those projects that include only a small number of steps – like, no more than 5.

• Also called “wrap-around steps”, cascading steps are especially attractive and popular while maintaining optimal functionality as well.

When to use spiral stairs

• If you want to make your deck look as stylish and glamorous as possible, while still saving on space, spiral staircases are the way to go. But, if you are too focused on saving space you may find that spiral steps can be steep and difficult for some people to manage, especially for smaller kids, those with mobility issues and the elderly.

Important Takeaways

– Deck stairs are important to a number of objectives, including aesthetics, functionality, safety and curb appeal.

– It will be the property layout as well as your budget that play the largest role in choosing the best stairs for your deck.

– There are a variety of blueprints and styles that you can choose from, including spiral stairs, wide and wrap around stairs or even a mix of several of the styles mentioned here.

– Make sure you have an understanding of the building codes and neighborhood rules before you begin your deck stair selections.

– For the easiest process, be sure to have an experienced contractor give you some pointers on how to make the most of your project and reach your goals.

Contact UglyDeck today at 952-736-3308 or visit our online store at https://uglydeck.com/store/