Replies

1. 
   Dinosaur | Aug 30, 2004 05:29am | #1

   Most deck stairs I build use housed stringers--that is, the treads are mortised into the stringers, which are not cut but left full width (usually a 2x12). I do not put risers on deck stairs so as to facilitate sweeping snow, leaves, dirt, etc. off them.

   I don't see using composite for the treads or stringers. My understanding of these types of materials is that they don't have the necessary structural integrity. Instead of working with this stuff, have you considered using a rot-resistant wood such as cedar or hemlock instead? You'll simplify your life a lot and probably wind up with a nicer job in the long run. Composites are overrated IMO; take a look at this photo of a small deck section built into a children's playset using composite decking.

   View Image

   I don't know the exact age of this unit, but by other appearances it isn't more than 5-10 years old maximum. Is that what you want to see in only 5 or 10 years?

   Dinosaur

   'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?

1. 
   shoppit | Aug 30, 2004 06:23am | #2

   I built my house three years ago, using TimberTech for a wrap around farmer's porch, side entry, rear outdoor deck and rear screen room.  I have three sets of TimberTech stairs, plus two steps that wraps around the rear deck.  I don't remember what distance I chose between the stringers, but I do know that it was tighter that recommended for wood stairs.  The stairs and deck feel absolutely solid.

   Forming the stair was easy, just cut off the tongue and factored the 3/4" thick riser into the stringer dimension so I had an appropriate overhang.  I let the stairs overhang the end stringers, capped the stair ends with a piece of solid TimberTech trim then covered it with lattice.  I've gotten nothing but compliments on the look.  I can send some pics if you'd like.

1. 
   Dinosaur | Aug 30, 2004 06:30am | #3

   Well, you seem to know more about that product than I do, so you're probably in a better position to figure out how to work with it.

   Dinosaur

   'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?

2. 
   dIrishInMe | Aug 30, 2004 10:10am | #5

   Dino:

   I can see that the joist spacing supporting those failed composite deck boards in your pic is anywhere from ~30" up to maybe even 40"!  Nuff said. Matt

1. 
   Dinosaur | Aug 30, 2004 03:23pm | #6

   Could very well be; it's not my project needless to say. I just spotted this while Ryan was playing in a public playground and snapped a few pix for the heck of it. That was not the only problem but it did make a visual impression....Dinosaur

   'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?

1. 
   rickyw | Aug 31, 2004 05:46am | #7

   Thanks for all the replies. Appreciate it. I think I have the stairs figured out now.

2. 
   steveh | Aug 30, 2004 06:33am | #4

   I ve built steps of timber tech and except for the sleeve over the 4x4 its the same as wood.

   Cut your stringers from rot resistant 2x10. I'd use 3 but if your worried about sag in the treads use 4 giving you 12"oc .

   Set the stringers,pour a pad for the bottom of the stringers to rest on.

   Cut and install the risers.

   Install the 4x4 posts,I set the inside the lower corners and thru bolt them to the stringer and riser.

   Install the treads.

   Then install the sleeves ,install rails and caps.

   Closed stringers are code around here and if your stringers are treated lumber all the fasteners should be stainless steel.

3. 
   RW | Aug 31, 2004 06:09am | #8

   Timbertech will tell you on stairs they recommend spacing the stringers at 12" OC. If you don't have the product lit, you should be able to get it where you bought the decking, barring that, you can get it on line as a downloadable .pdf. There are a couple of ways they show of making the treads, but since you're already using 5/4 - I guess my point is even when I'm using the T&G I get 5/4 for treads. It's solid, and you get a clean edge. The edge strips they sell with the T&G are garbage. I've found on open stringers that to get the skirt material to fit right its much easier to temporarily screw the skirting to the stringer before you hang it, and rout the edge with a straight piloted bit. Perfect fit, any irregularities are not going to show up as little lines of CCA showing through. I put the posts on before the skirt, then the skirt, then notch the post covers out on one side just enough to slip over the post and down the side of the stringer.

   "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

4. 
   ICONman | Apr 26, 2012 04:55pm | #9

   timbertech stair photos

   I would appreciate any photos of stair treads and trim-work on timbertech decking.

   Thanks, MJ

   [email protected]