Lay out and cut the stringers. (See How to Build Deck Stairs for more information.) Make the bottom tread cut 1-1/2 in. shorter than the others.

Codes aside, when designing stairs for comfort, a good rule of thumb is the sum of unit rise and unit run should be 17 to 18 inches. Unless you like bouncy stairs, we suggest you build them using ...

If you have plans to build a deck that will have more than one level or will be more than about 15 inches above the ground, you'll need stairs.Stairs can be one of the more challenging aspects of ...