How to build porch stairs

This step by step diy project is about how to build porch stairs. Building stairs for the front deck is a common project that requires basic woodworking skills. Nevertheless, you should use professional plans, as there are a few tricks that are essential for the woodworking project. Lock all the components tightly, as to create a rigid and durable structure.

There are many things that you should consider before building the stairs for the front porch. On one hand, we recommend you to make sure you design that stringers in a professional manner. Follow the instructions described in the project, as there are certain dimensions that you have to use for a professional result. Use quality pressure-treated lumber when building the components, if you want to make a durable construction.

Don’t forget to take a look on the rest of the project, as to learn how to build the frame of the front porch and the railing. It is essential to plan every aspect of the project from the very beginning, otherwise you cannot keep the expenditures at a decent level. Moreover, adjust the size of the porch and stairs to your needs, while still following the instructions and guidelines described in the article.

Made from this plan

Building porch stairs

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 75” long POSTS
B – 4 pieces of 2×12 lumber – 73 1/2” long STRINGERS
C – 10 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 63″ long TREADS
D – 5 pieces of 2×8 lumber – 60″ long RISERS

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface

Time

One Day

Part 1: How to build a front porch
Part 2: How to build porch railing
Part 3: How to build porch stairs
Part 4: How to build porch stair railing

Installing the ledger board

The first step of the project is to attach the ledger board to the wooden posts, as in the image. Cut the 2×10 piece of lumber at the right size and lock it to the posts with carriage bolts. Lock the ledger to the posts with clamps, drill pilot holes and insert the carriage bolts into place. Use a spirit level to make sure the ledger is perfectly horizontal.

Building the stringers

The next step is to build the four stringers for the stairs. As you can see in the plans, you need to use a piece of 2×12 lumber and a carpentry square to mark the cut lines. Make the notches in the slats with a good circular saw. Clean the cuts with a sanding block.

Fitting the stringers

In order to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to set the 4×4 posts for the railing into concrete. Dig 3′ deep holes, set the posts, plumb them with a spirit level and fill the tube forms with concrete. In addition, we recommend you to build a small concrete landing pad, as to protect the stringers from moisture. Lock the stringers to the ledger and to the landing pad with metal hardware and appropriate screws.

Installing the risers

Afterwards, you need to attach the 2×6 risers to the stringers, as in the image. Drill several pilot holes and lock the components into place with 2 1/2″ galvanized screws. Make sure both ends of the risers are flush with the stringers, before locking them into place.

Installing the steps

Installing the 2×6 treads into place is a straight forward job, as you just need to cut them to size with a circular saw and attach them to the stairs frame. Make sure you place a nail between the slats, to drain the water in a professional manner. Smooth the exposed edges with a router or a sanding block. Cut notches in the treads, as to fit around the 4×4 posts.

How to build porch stairs

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues. Take a look on the rest of the project is you want to learn how to build the railing and the frame of the porch.

Thank you for reading our project about how to build a porch stairs and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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