my house sits at the bottom of a heavy drop off at the bottom of a graded back yard. im putting steps from my deck up to where the yard levels off. the overall dimensions are 80 inch rise and a 14 foot total run. at this grade, i was going to attempt to cut the stringers with a 5.5 inch rise and a 17 inch run (3 deck boards) out of a 2x12x16.
a buddy of mine insists i should make the run 11 inches and put a 4 foot landing half way up. i want to dig them into the dirt as much as possible and a landing would obviously protrude far out from the existing hill.
has anyone ever attempted to cut and successfully use such a stringer???
Replies
I would adjust that cut top be 6-1/8" rise - that is thirteen risers - and cut the run to about 14.5".
That will be more comfortable. The longer you stretch this stairset, the more notching you will do into the stringers, and the weaker they will become. You are likely to need to stiffen the meat left in each by sistering the best 2x4 to them that you can, or turn the added meat to make the cross-section ian inverted T.
Don't know what deck boards you are using, but a 5/4 x 6 will be 5.5" and shrink. With an added 1/4" gap, you cover just 17", but you need an overhanging lip of an inch or more