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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default Ideas for stairs

    Hi all

    I'm looking for some ideas for stairs to a deck please.
    I've started building a deck but didn't really know what I was going to do for stairs. I hoped that whilst building inspiration would come to me and all would be good. Unfortunately that hasn't happened and I'm now looking for some ideas!

    Take a look at the attached picture. The stairs are to go between the centre posts, approx 5.6m wide. I've marked the height off the ground at each end - 0.8 and 1.0m. I want to keep the centre section (between those two posts) open as it frames a nice bush view from the house. I also don't want the stairs taking up too much more of the grassed yard.

    My only suggestion so far is to create some large "double size" stairs that go the full width. By double size I mean double a normal tread and riser size. This could double up as a seat too. Then down the middle I would have an intermediate step on each double step so there would be a normal stair size set of stairs right the way up the middle (approx 2m wide.)

    Or perhaps some sort of tapering stairs that get narrower as they get closer to the ground?

    Any suggestions most welcome.

    Many thanks in advance.
    Last edited by Loki429; 27th October 2007 at 08:13 AM. Reason: oops - forgot to attach the picture!

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Grovedale, Victoria Australia
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    66
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    3,894

    Default

    I would go with the full width between posts. If you only make a standard width step you are going to form a track in the grass where it stops, by going full width between posts you will eliminate a lot of that.

    Have double wide treads and only single height risers. It would keep the open look you are after. As you say it will also add a couple of seats if needed for the backyard cricket.
    Jim Carroll
    One Good Turn Deserves Another. CWS, Vicmarc, Robert Sorby, Woodcut, Tormek, Woodfast
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  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default

    It's unconventional to have them narrower at the bottom. I'd make them wider.

    How about this:



    Make them as wide as your opening if you want.
    Have the stringers underneath, and set back 50mm from the nose, so it looks like the treads are floating.


  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    sydney
    Posts
    341

    Default

    A set of wide stairs in matching decking







    A few ideas... Stairs chew up space and the deeper the tread the more space you use..... Divide your deck to ground height by 180mm to get the number of risers ... you have 1 less tread than risers... you come out into yard tread depth by number of treads

    cheers utemad

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default

    I finally decided on a design for the stairs and have started construction.

    The attached pics pretty much tell the story!
    Its a work in progress with another level still to be added.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Age
    51
    Posts
    208

    Default

    utemad,

    Curious about the pics you posted for Loki. Are the stairs proper stringer constructed or big box frame on smaller box frame on smaller box frame etc.....?

    Cheers,
    Dr - 307.
    All decks should be stained....black white black white black white.......after all it would match anything!
    All roofs should be covered or tiled.....black colorbond, silver mist, black colorbond, silver mist, black colorbond.........after all, we wouldn't want a mismatch!

  8. #7
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    Apr 2005
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    Default

    That's going to look really good Loki.
    Have you considered return mitering the boards around the corner of the step, as in UteMad's second photo?
    It's a question of taste, but it might give it a bit more 'flair'.


  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pawnhead View Post
    Have you considered return mitering the boards around the corner of the step, as in UteMad's second photo?
    I thought about doing it that way but have decided on something slightly different.
    The ends of the steps will be filled in with decking too and positioned to hide the end grain. Boards will be run horizontal with one board at the front vertical. Where the two boards meet they will be mitered.

    I've gone with no setback or nose too as I intend to use the steps as seating for those backyard cricket matches Jim mentions! (Or perhaps a half-time beer whilst mowing the lawn...)

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    sydney
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr - 307 View Post
    utemad,

    Curious about the pics you posted for Loki. Are the stairs proper stringer constructed or big box frame on smaller box frame on smaller box frame etc.....?

    Cheers,
    Dr - 307.

    Nah don't use stringers as it doesn't allow enough for the deep treads everyone wants.... Box on box plus other tricks

    cheers utemad

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
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    Default

    You just put a big smile on my face mate, THANKS!
    I thought it was the box on box trick minus the rabbit. Now I know what to do. I have built stairs to messanine floors the proper stringer way but for this job I'm gonna use the box trick.

    Thanks for the help brother,
    Cheers,
    Dr - 307.
    All decks should be stained....black white black white black white.......after all it would match anything!
    All roofs should be covered or tiled.....black colorbond, silver mist, black colorbond, silver mist, black colorbond.........after all, we wouldn't want a mismatch!

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    86

    Default

    Just thought I'd post a progress pic of the steps.
    Not quite finished yet - I need to close in the sides.

    Very happy with how they've turned out!

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