How to Make Wood Stairs

Building a wooden staircase is accomplished with the proper wood tools and knowledge of basic math. The principal is the same regardless of the number of risers involved. A set of stairs includes the support boards or stringer, the risers and the treads. A standard staircase has a certain amount of uniformity to it in regard to the measurements of the risers and treads. One common rule of thumb is the wider the tread the better creating a safer and more comfortable set of steps.

Tape measure
Carpenter's square
2-by-12 boards
3-inch deck screws
Screw gun

Instructions

- 1
  Calculate the overall vertical height of the stairs by measuring from the floor of the deck down to the landing. As an aid, lay a straight board on top of the deck, extending it slightly over the edge. Then measure from the bottom of this board to the top of the landing pad.
- 2
  Estimate the number of steps the staircase will possess by dividing the overall rise by 7 1/4 inches, the standard height of one step. For example, if the overall rise is 64 inches, the calculation amounts to 8.83; round that up to nine, for a total of nine steps. Bear in mind that there is always one less tread than risers due to the last actual step being either the landing pad or the deck. Next take the standard width of a step, commonly 10 1/2 inches, and multiply that by 8 (the number of treads) for a total of 84 inches. This figure represents the overall stair "run."
- 3
  Divide the overall rise of 64 inches by the number of steps or 9 to determine the rise of each step. This comes out to 7.111 inches, which rounds out to 7 1/8 inches which will then be the measurement of each riser.
- 4
  Mark the tread notches on a 2-by-12-inch board using a framing square fitted with stair gauges to create a stringer. The stair gauges are fixtures that clamp onto the square allowing an accurate marking of several identical notches. One gauge clamps onto the tongue of the square and the other attaches to the body of the square. Lay the square on the board positioning the gauges against the edge and mark the risers and treads to accommodate nine steps. Use a circular saw to cut the marked notches. Make a standard total of three stringers, using the first as a template.
- 5
  Attach the stringers to the deck directly under the rim joist or to the framing under the deck with 3-inch deck screws. You want the top step to be flush with the top of the deck floor.
- 6
  Cut eight 8-foot 2-by-6-inch boards in half for the stair treads. Start at the bottom and place two boards on each riser of the stringers and fasten in place onto the stringers with 3-inch deck nails. Continue in this manner until you finish with the uppermost tread.

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