Deck Stairs Done Right: Footings, Landings and Railings

The deck gets the attention, but the stairs take the abuse: they carry every trip in and out, they sit closest to the wet ground, and they're where most deck injuries happen. Start at the bottom. Stair stringers need to land on something solid, a concrete pad or footings, never bare dirt or loose pavers, because a stair that settles unevenly twists the stringers and loosens the connection at the top. Next, the steps themselves have to be consistent: the residential code limits riser height to 7-3/4 inches and asks for treads at least 10 inches deep, and every step in a flight should match within 3/8 of an inch, because a single odd step is what trips people. Tall decks need a landing: a single flight can't rise more than about 12 and a half feet (151 inches) without one, and a landing also gives a place to turn the stair to fit the yard. Then the rails: a handrail between 34 and 38 inches high on at least one side for four or more risers, and guards on any open side more than 30 inches off the ground. At the top, the stringers should hang from the deck framing with proper hardware, not just a few nails into the rim. If your stairs are wobbly, sunken at the bottom or soft on the treads, a deck repair can usually rebuild them without touching the rest of the deck; for railings see deck lighting and railings.