I’m planning a deck build and I’m trying to figure out the design for the stair framing.
I’m planning to follow the FHB Shop Class recommendations here for attaching the stringers to the deck and my layout is pretty much the same as in the video:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/decks/building-strong-deck-stairs
Because my joists and rim board are going to be framed with 2×10’s, I’ll need to install a dropped header for the the stringers to attach to and per the manufacturer’s directions, this will need to extend 3 1/2″ beyond the end of the stringers, presumably to guard against splitting.
I would like to completely trim out the deck with white fascia boards, including the rim board, stair stringers and risers. But I can’t think of a clean way to hide the dropped header for the stringers. One idea I had was to add additional (non structural) stringers at the end of the dropped header board to act as backing for the trim, but how can I safely attach those without risking splitting the header?
Should I use one of these angles?: https://www.strongtie.com/deckconnectors_decks/ml_angle/p/ml#ProductDetails
Interested in other ways of hiding the dropped header if people have them.
Replies
I found this article:
https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2010/04/23/solving-porch-problems/
Seems like the approach described there would solve my problem.
I think you're worrying too much. I'd just use trim screws into the end grain of the header to attach the trim stringers.
Hi Andy,
Just to be sure I understand, the last stringer on either side of the stair would be completely non-structural and cut a bit longer to attach to the end grain of the header.
In between these, I would add structural stringers starting from 3 1/2 inches from the end of the header (per Simpson's instructions) and then fill in with more stringers as needed to meet spanning requirements of whatever type of composite decking I go with.
Is that right?
That's it.