How to Install Steps & Risers

Stairs provide access to porches, decks, sheds and rooms within a home. Building stairs can be challenging, but it is a relatively straightforward procedure if you have the necessary tools and materials. There are three basic components in a set of stairs: stringers, steps or treads and risers. Stringers are the basic foundation of stairs, consisting of sloped boards with notches cut in them to support the steps and risers. Steps form the top surfaces of the stairs, and risers are installed directly under the front lip of each tread to provide a finished look. Once you have stringers intact, you can install steps and risers with moderate ease.

Trim head 2 1/2-inch decking screws
Wood putty
Cordless drill
Circular saw
16-foot steel measuring tape

Instructions

Installing Risers
- 1
  Measure and cut the riser to the length desired using the 16-foot steel measuring tape and circular saw. The riser is attached vertically to the stringer and is underneath the step.
- 2
  Attach the riser to the stringer using three 2 1/2-inch trim head decking screws on each side. Ensure the riser is in the vertical positon before attaching with screws.
- 3
  Continue this procedure for all risers.
Installing Steps
- 4
  Measure and cut the steps to the length desired using the 16-foot steel measuring tape and circular saw. The step is the top surface that will be walked on.
- 5
  Leave around 1/8 inch between boards for each step, and screw each one down with the portable drill. Use three 2 1/2--inch trim head decking screws on each step. The trim head decking screws used for the risers are appropriate for the steps too. You can use wood putty to cover the screws to provide a more professional look.
- 6
  Leave 1 ½-inch overhang on the steps to give them a better appearance.
- 7
  Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 until all steps are installed.

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How to Install Steps & Risers

Instructions

Installing Risers

Installing Steps