Hi everyone,
Any advice on how to plan steps to our Trex deck? It seems we will need 4 treads to reach deck from ground. Deck is looking to be 16′ x 18′, with approx. 6′ x 16′ patio area adjacent. One set of steps will land on this patio. I think the steps landing on patio, which guests would use, would look nice being a bit on wider side, say 5 or 6 feet? The other steps would be mainly for convenience. Note that the table/chairs may be close to the other steps, and I am suggesting not-so-wide steps here to reduce risk of someone tipping off chair and falling down them.
What are your thoughts on the practicalities and aesthetics? We want keep the cost down where possible, but I want the project to express our creativity and not look like a tacked-on box.
Thanks so much.
Carla
Edited 7/18/2002 12:57:48 PM ET by CARLI8020
Replies
More info please? How hige is the deck ? How is it supported ? how wide are your rim joists ? is it cantilivered ? etc.
posting a picture is the best bet to get good advise.
IMO, 16 x 18 is not large enough for two sets of steps. Byuild one nice set and it will keep the cost down and limiot traffic pattern to allow more space for use of the deck.
Piffin, that's a good point, eliminating the extra stairs adds more usable room. I will try to post a photo. Is there a reason why we might wish we had the second stairs, or is it pretty clear we are better off with one.
Not sure what other question means about "cantilevered"? There are eight, 4' deep holes containing cardbooard forms that will receive poured concrete. There is a horizontal supporting beam with brackets up against the house, which will support the joists. Forgot the name of this thing. Deck is about 4 steps off the ground.
How wide should the stairs be, and how do we decide wether to center them, or put them on the end closest to the house?
If you put your steps closer to the house this will eliminate cross traffic and give you more useable dining space. Make your steps no less than 4' wide.Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Cantilievered is basically a joist plan. the joists run past overhanging the supporting beam. The rule for allowable overhang is 1/3 of the overall length. Or less. It sounds to me like that is what you have. A beam on sono tube piers with cantilievered joists. This is generally a stronger , more durable way to build a deck. More expensive too.
As far as mounting stairs you will probably want to run the top tread flush with the deck. As far as width. the wider the better, I guess. Asthetics and cost are the problems there. I like a low rise and long run too, for comfort. It is up to you. I also like what piffin said on a previous post about mounting stairs and the pad.
If you are using Trex you might want to use more stringers, closer together. you might want to here from someone else on that. I am not really a Trex guy . And I haven't worked with it very much.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages/?msg=21683.12
A couple of folks have mentioned traffic pattern.
run where you would walk etc in your mind
this is an outdoor room and the the number of "doors" there are the more space you lose.
my deck is 10x14 with 2 serts of stairs. They were planned that way as a "cooridor" so that I have a useable 10x10 area for table etc.
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