How to Build Steps With Composite Decking

Step 1

Get the Materials You Need

Before starting your step project, you need to gather all the materials and tools needed to build the steps. These materials include, but not limited to are composite decking boards, stringers and railings, measuring tape, framing square, hammer, bar, wooden posts, post caps, and balustrades.

Additionally, you will also need a saw to trim the composite decking boards to size. Besides that, you will also need a shovel to make a hole in the ground before building the steps. A drill will be needed to make holes on the boards. As with all building projects don’t forget to use safety glasses and gloves at all times while constructing the steps with composite decking.

Step 2

Mark the Spot You Will Install the Stairs

After gathering the equipment needed, you can now start your step project. Start by marking where you will fasten the stringer to the decking. It will help you determine the height of the composite decking to the ground. You will also need to work out the width of you steps too. In addition, you also need to indicate where you will attach the stringer to the ground. Ensure you mark the spot accurately to create a uniformed staircase. If your new to this, your stringers will connect on your rim or end joist, please note your rim or end joist will need to be longer to enable you to fix the stringers upon installation.

Its key to point out when your planning your deck design, preparing for your stringer steps at this point of design and build will support you to work out the rise and angle of your stringers, this will provide the flexibility of the angle or run of your steps and the dimensions you need to cut or even better incorporate pre built stringers or box framed steps.

Step 3

Attach the Stringers/ Box framed stairs

You can now begin to attach the stringers or boxed framed stairs to the deck. When you are attaching the stringers, you should ensure that it extends to the ground. Stringers are diagonal pieces of wood normally at 2×12 that serve as a support for the composite decking steps. You can purchase pre-cut stringers to make it easier.

Box framed stairs are boxes that are stacked onto of each other, these do take longer to construct than stringers, as most stringers are pre made, an advantage to box framed stairs is they can be constructed to your projects requirement, as they aren’t pre made.

Most fitters advise us they prefer this option, why? as they can be built to the boards width and they can check there dimensions and measurement as they go along, lifting and placing the boards and clips to check there spec consistency to get the measurements perfect. A key point upon constructing any steps is that the max step is 225mm and minimum is 75mm, anything below is class as a trip. An example of box framed stairs can be seen in the image below.

Before you fix the stringers, attach the connectors to the decking frame, using galvanised structural screws. After you have attached the connectors, use them to fix the stringers. Stringer’s help in determining the rise and the angle of your steps. You may choose to install a footer to prevent the ground level stringers from rotting much quicker. These can be bolted into your concrete footings.

Step 4

Fix the Post

Most outdoor stairs with a rail system are attached to with a 4×4 post to provided added support, of course depending on height they may not be required. You can use a post to raise the stringers off the ground too.

Using a shovel to make a hole where you will fix the post. You can sink them into the ground similar to installing you decking posts, please note its advisable to add protect or some form of drainage so your post doesn’t rot much quicker is advisable, another option is to use a post anchor in which raises the posts off the ground, If you are unable to do this you can curve the postcrete around the top/end posts, creating a run off for water, therefore reducing how fast your post will rot in the future. Ensure you use treated wood for the post. Treated woods are resistant to termites as well as rot or decay.

Step 5

Fix Composite Decking Boards on the Stringers

After you have fixed the stringer, start installing the composite decking on the stringers that will serve as the steps.

Step 6

Install Railings on the Steps.

Railings provide a form of safety while climbing up and down the steps. When installing the railings, you should ensure that the railings are easy to grip. You will need to install four railings on the steps. The top and bottom railings are on both sides of the stairs. Start installing the railings by attaching the railing post outside the steps.

Additionally, you should set the post sleeves and attach balustrades to the top and bottom rails.