How to Build Outdoor Stairs

Maybe you want to build a raised deck out your back door, add a hot tub, or maybe you are new to a home that has quite a step down into the yard. You may be wondering how to build outdoor stairs to make the transition from one location to the other a little easier. Thankfully, it's easier than you might think.

Here's what you need:

2x4s that have been treated to hold up to the weather are wisest
1x6s that have been treated to hold up to the weather are wisest
Stair Stringers
Stair
A box of 2-inch galvanized screws
Saw
Drill
Tape Measure
Ruler

The first thing to consider is how high and long your stairs should be. This is done by measuring the height from the ground where you will start the stairs and then consider how much of a slope you want the steps to take, to make them easy to use.

Now you need to decide on the right size of stair stringers to use. Stair stringers are pieces of wood that are already cut in the shape of the sidewall of steps. All you have to do is build a frame for these pieces and attach the wood to complete them. For the most part stair stringers come in sizes from three steps to seven. You can choose which ones are right for the height you have to climb.

Measure the space where the stairs will go to be able to line up your two stringers. Most stairs are 30-36 inches wide.

Now you need to secure this in place. There are hardware brackets that can be used to attach the top of the stringers to the edge of your deck. At the bottom, you should use hardware brackets to attach the stair stringers to a piece of pressure treated wood or a wooden walkway if that is where the stairs will end.

For additionally support, you may also want to sink two 2x4s by the top of the stairs and attach the stringer to that as well as the deck. You can reinforce those 2x4 by using an extra piece of wood to create an H-bar, connecting them.

Next, it is time to install the blanks. Take your time and measure out the 1x6s to the right length to create each of the steps on your stairs. Mark and cut all of the pieces and then begin to screw them in place.

You may need to start this process by making a pilot hole with a smaller bit as treated woods can be a bit difficult to work with.

Once all of the step planks are in place you need to consider whether or not you want solid stairs, If you do, you will need to also create planks for the 'wall' of the step' Keep in mind, this means there is a little less stepping room, as feet will be forced to stop at the wall. If your steps are not especially deep, you may want to avoid this step.

How to Build a Deck on a Budget

Learning how to build a deck can be a real money-saver for the do-it-yourself homeowner, and more and more homeowners are learning to build beautiful, durable and attractive decks without having to hire out expensive contractors to do the job for them.

Deck building can be taught by a local community college course. This of course is the most expensive option when trying to learn how to do it yourself. Registering for a class on general deck construction will probably cost right around one hundred dollars, but will give proper instruction on all the information that you need to know about the subject and will also give some hands on experience with some one on one interaction with the instructor.

Another source on information on building your own deck is at home improvement store. There are some home improvement stores that hold periodic seminars in the store and there is a good possibility that one of those seminars will focus on this very subject. This is an excellent option because the seminar is typically free and there is hands on experience and one on one time. Of course a free seminar is probably only an afternoon long but it can provide the basic knowledge on how to do it yourself.

There are books that are available that can provide information on deck and patio building, which can be purchased or checked out from the library. There are also videos that are available that will give you detailed instructions on building them as well.

Choose the material that you will be building it from and take measurements reflecting the length and the width of the desired size of the deck. Taking the length and width as well as using that information to figure out the square footage of the deck will be a good way to estimate the cost of the materials. These measurements can be supplied to the home improvement store where the materials will be bought from and they can easily supply costs. Once the materials have been secured, then the construction of the deck can begin.

Hiring someone to build a deck and then watching them build it will allow you to learn the quickest, though that option is not always possible.

A beautiful deck or patio can be a great addition to any home. If you want to save a little money, building your own deck [http://howtobuildadeckinfo.com] can be a great way to keep costs low.

How to Build a Deck Step by Step

If you're wanting a new deck and would like to do it yourself, then you need some good instruction on how to build a deck step by step. Building a simple deck is not that difficult and can be done by almost any novice woodworker. You just need a good plan and some detailed tutoring. This article will give you those step by step instructions.
Before I begin to tell you how to build a deck step by step, you need to decide on a design. You need to answer a few questions like:

• What size of deck you want?
• What will be the shape of your deck. Will it be square, rectangular, or L-shaped?
• Where will the stairs be located and how many do you want?
• What type of decking will you use and how will you fasten it?
• Is railing required? If so, what style do you want?
• Do you want to incorporate any built-in benches or planters?

Sometimes this pre-construction process can take a good bit of time. And it should. Building a deck can be quite expensive, and the last thing you want is to do it wrong.
To get deck ideas, drive around your town and see what types of decks other people have built or look in home magazines. You can even surf the web for design ideas.
Once you have answers to all these questions, you're ready to build a deck.
The first lesson in how to build a deck step by step, is to set your concrete pier pads. Make sure the piers are exactly where your plans show them. Also you need to make sure they are level and are solidly setting on the soil. You don't want any "rocking". What I do is smooth out and level the ground with a shovel.
Once the pier pads are set correctly, it's time to measure and cut the posts. These are the posts which will hold up the support beams. Sometimes this task is easier if you fasten the ledger to the wall first. The ledger should be at least the thickness of the decking below the door going on to the deck.
Using a long, straight board with a level on top, place one end on the ledger and hover the other end over the pier pad you're measuring for. Have a helper hold the board and level perfectly level while you measure the distance to the pier pad. Subtract the thickness of your floor joists and the support beam, and you'll have the length of the post.
After you've repeated the above steps for each post, you can set the support beams. Toe-nail the beams to the posts. If you have multiple beams in the same row, toe-nail them together, too.
The next task when learning how to build a deck step by step, is to install the floor joists.These are usually 2x6, 2x8, or 2x10 boards. The ledger you fastened to the wall earlier should be the same size as the floor joists. It's best if your nail the joist hangers the ledger before you lay the joists. Having a joist hanger to rest one end of the joist in makes it easier. Also make sure you start at the same end when you layout the ledger and the support beam. It's also important to install a rim joist on the ends of the floor joists. To get that straight, snap a line 1/2" in or so, and trim the joists.
Now it's time to lay the decking. Here's a little trick I use to make my decks look nicer. I start laying my deck boards from the outer edge and work my way toward the house. This way if you end up with a skinny ripped board, it's kind of hidden up next to the house. Another thing you want to do is space the boards slightly. This allows for expansion and contraction of the decking, and allows rain water to drain well.
Your deck boards can be fastened with either nails or screws. Make sure the nails are hot-dipped galvanized. Screws should be actual deck screws, not drywall screws.
The last steps in learning how to build a deck step by step are railing, if it's needed, and stairs to the ground. If your deck is more than 30" above the ground, railing is required. I usually fasten 2x2 cedar balusters vertically, with a 2x6 rail at the top. Make sure you have 4" or less between the balusters and the top rail is at least 36" above the decking.
Building stairs is a little tricky, and it will require another article to cover that topic properly.
So this concludes my little tutorial on how to build a deck step by step. I hope it was helpful.

How to Build a Simple Wooden Deck Rail

Decks over 30" above the ground usually require railing as a safety measure. There are many different ways to build a rail but this article will discuss the easiest, fastest, and cheapest method. This rail system uses 2"x 2" wooden balusters and a 2"x 6" top railing.
Use either an outdoor wood made for exposure to weather, redwood, or cedar, which is my personal favorite. I prefer cedar because it's easy to work with, has a long life expectancy, and is almost impervious to weather.
Most building codes require a maximum of 4" between the balusters. If your balusters are 1 ½" wide, they will need to be 5 ½" on center to maintain the 4" minimum spacing.
To get an idea how many balusters you need, measure the perimeter of your deck where railing will be installed. Multiply that number by 2.5 and that will tell you approximately how many 2"x 2" wooden balusters you need.
The next step is to cut the balusters to the proper length. The minimum height of the top of the rail is 36" in most locales. The top of the baluster should be 34" above the deck floor and extend a minimum of 7" onto the side board of the deck. If your deck joists are larger, you could extend the baluster even further for more stiffness.
Layout the baluster positions by making pencil marks every 5" to 5-1/2" apart around the deck perimeter. Draw a vertical line on the deck joists using a speed square.
Once the layout marks are drawn on the deck, cut 2"x 6" top rails to the correct lengths. Stand the top rails vertically around the exterior edge of the deck and transfer the layout marks from the deck rim joists onto the top rail. Use a speed square to draw light pencil lines.
Pre-drill two holes with an 1/8" drill bit about 1" and 6" from the end on each baluster. With the top end of a baluster 34" above the deck floor, insert two 3" screws through the baluster into the deck side board. Make sure each baluster is plumb using a short level. Repeat this for every baluster.
Now, holding the 2"x 6" rail vertically against the balusters and 36" above the deck floor, fasten the balusters to the top rail with 2-1/2" deck screws.
Repeat the same procedure above for all the top rails, screwing each baluster to the top rail. Also fasten the ends of the horizontal rails together with 3" deck screws.

How to Mix and Match Deck Railing Materials

One of the best ways to beautify your backyard or garden patio is to add a deck. This structure is normally elevated to make it a center of attraction in any outdoor space. With this deck, a family can spend a relaxing time outdoors or entertain friends and guests on special occasions especially during a warm night.

Many homeowners prefer a deck made from wood. Wood evokes a classic look and promotes a cool ambience. When maintained properly, people can even go barefoot while spending time on their outdoor deck.

Decks won't be complete without a railing. The railing is an important component of a deck and one which provides security to the people who use it. The truth is, if you see a garden deck from a distance, the first thing that usually catches your eye is the railing. With the deck railing, it feels nice to hold on to something when moving around the deck or just standing there marveling at a great view such as beautiful plants and flowers or at the star-filled sky?

Deck railings can be made from various materials. Even though the deck flooring is made of wood, the railing can be of another material to achieve a unique look.

A modern trend in installing an outdoor deck is by mixing and matching materials. For instance, you can use iron railings to create a unique look. Iron is more durable compared to wood and can stand bad weather. It also requires little maintenance which is why it is ideal for outdoor use. You will just have to apply a coat of paint every now and then to get rid of rust buildup. A great advantage of iron is that it can be bended and made into beautiful designs to suit your personal style.

One way you can use iron is by having your railing designed in a way different than the usual. Instead of the horizontal balusters, you can choose an intricate design in accordance with a certain theme you like. There are a wide range of pre-made designs available today on the market. If not, you can have your own design customized.

Did you also know that you can mix wood with glass in your deck railing? It is now very possible and you can choose to use the glass baluster type or the glass panel type. The glass used is normally tempered to make it last long. For the glass, you have a choice between the clear, tinted and opaque or frosted glass look.

Another material you can match with wood is the vinyl railing. This is great for outdoor decks because it needs little maintenance, is a durable material as well and can endure bad weather conditions. Compared to wood, the vinyl material does not splinter and the edges are smooth which means it does not pose any harm to people using the deck.

Achieving your own personal deck railing design is a matter of mixing and matching materials. You need not go with the trend all the time because what stands out is your own creativity.

How To Install Deck Railing - In 5 Easy Steps

Does local building code require you to install deck railing?....Well don't worry, anybody can install railings with a few simple steps. On several occasions I have had to install railings to meet the local building code, and if you read on I will show you 5 easy steps for how to install deck railing.

Step 1:
This first step is easy. Get a square, consult the plans for your deck, and mark with the square along the header and outer joists the locations for each of the railing posts. Make sure the posts are no more than 1.8 meters or 72 inches apart.

Handy tip: Make sure you mark both edges of the railing posts at each location, It will make life that much easier.

Step 2:
This next step requires the use of your drill. Here you need to pre-drill two holes at the base of the railing posts. These two holes are for the bolts in order to attach the posts to the deck. Be careful and make sure you keep the drill straight.

Step 3:
Now for the easiest step of them all. Install the rail posts by bolting them to the deck with either "through" or "lag" bolts.

Step 4:
In order to attach the balusters we need to install a railing between each post. Screw the railing between the top of the posts, and ensure they are level, or fall evenly as required.

Step 5:
The final step is to install the balusters. Calculate how many balusters you need between each post and mark accordingly. Make sure the gap between each baluster is equal. Now screw in each baluster at the top and bottom, with a minimum of two screws.

So we now have a nice and appealing railing that will more than satisfy most local building codes. Knowing how to install deck railing is not too difficult is it?

A Further Option To Consider:
Above I gave instructions on how to install deck railing that was attached to the outside joists. Yet, another option exists. If you plan on installing a railing from the outset of building your deck, your deck support posts can be installed to double as your deck railing posts.

So there we have it. Not only do you now know how to install deck railing, once you follow the above mentioned steps, you will also see how simple it is to install deck railing.

Vinyl Deck Railing on Your Pool Deck

The Beauty of a Pool Deck

Among many changes going on in the world is the fact that people are spending more and more time outdoors. They work because they have to work to pay the bills. However, in their spare time they're choosing to spend their time outdoors. The addition of decks to the home gives them the perfect place to spend their time outdoors. Cooking out, reading, laying in the sun, entertaining or just relaxing are some of the many things people do on their decks. Whether your deck has a vinyl deck railing or elaborately designed wood railing, you deck is a place for fun as well as adding beauty and value to your home.

Another choice many homeowners are making is adding a pool and pool deck to their home. This is the perfect way to add some beauty to an otherwise drab backyard. It's also something your entire family will enjoy. Your backyard will also be the envy of your friends. Although a pool by itself is a great addition to your home, this will enhance the beauty and functionality of the home. A pool deck will change your pool from a place for swimming and sunbathing to a place that is perfect for entertaining.

Types of Pool Decks

The pool deck is the area around the pool, depending on if your pool is below or above the ground. Regardless of which type of pool you have, you can easily install a pool deck to match the pool and enhance the beauty of your home.

If you have an above-the-ground pool, you can choose to install a matching pool deck with vinyl deck railing. This type is usually made of redwood, pressure treated wood, cedar and various other types of wood. This wood is treated with compounds to help prevent rotting and termites. You have your choice of enclosing your entire deck or making a partial deck. Always check with your local officials on building permit laws in your area before you begin your construction.

If you have an in-ground pool deck, you have a few more choices available in the line of pool decks. You can use wood for your decking as well as stones, tiles or concrete all around the deck flooring. With the varieties of stones or tiles, you can choose from many textures and finishes. Make sure the wood in maintained regularly to keep it from rotting.

Traditional pool decks are made with concrete blocks. Although these are strong and durable, they require a lot of digging to get the concrete footings properly installed, unlike floating concrete blocks, which are kept on the ground. Many homeowners are choosing to make a combination pool deck with a raised deck by their above ground pool and a lower attached deck flooring with stones or tiles and attached vinyl deck railing.