How to Build Stairs for a Porch

A cozy rocking chair or a swing in your porch looks good, but having stairs on it would add up to its appeal. If you find this interesting, then you must know how to build a stairs for a porch. It would surely put a challenge in your creativity and skills.

Building stairs may be a tedious task especially for those who do not have a carpentry experience. Here are important ways on how to build stairs for a porch from preparation to the execution proper to help you in your project.

First, check the local codes required in your area. In this way, required permits are obtained.

Second, determine how you do like your stairs to look. This is considered to be the most fundamental part that some carpenters even purchase drafting software.

Consider the number of stairs aside from the comfortable size of steps you want to build. You have to keep in mind that too narrow or too wide steps may be too awkward and dangerous to step on. This is done by calculating the rise and run.

The initial step is to find the measurement of your staircase rise in inches and then divide it by 7 to compute for the ideal height of steps. This information will allow you now to decide the number of steps you can construct.

Divide the total rise by the number of steps to know the measurement of each riser. Then, you have to round it up to the nearest inch. Determine the run width based on your rise height.

Now it is time for you to position your stringers according to your measurements. Attach them with the use of lag screws, cut the risers and screw them. A cedar trim board may be nailed to the stringers for a finishing touch.

The treads are installed by screwing them together at both ends and in the middle. Work with your treads way up your staircase.

Put up hand railings for better grip allowing safety for those walking on your porch stairs. Set up a post prior to installing the lowest tread and then the railings. You may want your railings to be both above the post, toughened by another one near the steps or as simple as railings connected from the post up to your porch.

These are just simple steps on how to build stairs for a porch. On the other hand, if you feel that you are not equipped enough, better seek for those who are more knowledgeable in this field. Especially if you have problems in getting precise measurements and computations, a professional is highly recommended.