When planning your new deck, you want to build the steps with great and high quality material. Here are our step-by-step instructions on how to build deck and box steps.
Build wooden steps for decks and porches with our easy-to-follow guide. Learn how to build a deck step correctly so your steps provide you with safe access from the ground to any porch or deck.
How to build a deck step
Single steps are great for decks that don’t require a lot of walking space. These steps are typically used in place of a landing or stairway and come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. They’re commonly made with pressure-treated lumber and can be stained or painted for an added touch.
Box steps
Box steps are another type of step, but they’re more like stairs than single steps. They have the same measurements as standard stairs, but instead of having two risers stacked one on top of the other, they have three risers that are all equal height. This gives them a box shape that makes them easy to climb and provides more support than single steps would.
Risers & Treads
When building a deck, you need to install steps that are sturdy and will last for many years. If you are installing a single step, it is important to measure the height of the deck and make sure that the height of the step falls within these measurements.
If you are installing box stairs, you will need to measure the distance between each tread, as well as the width of each tread and the overall length of each box step.
Next, mark out where you will be placing your first post and set it into place with its top edge level with the top edge of your decking boards. Attach this post using a hammer and 2 inch nails driven through pilot holes drilled into both ends of each post. Once this post is in place, measure down from its top edge and mark where each subsequent post needs to be placed before driving them into position using 4 inch nails (or longer if necessary).
If you’re building a new deck, consider adding a step so that you can easily access your deck. The steps shown below are box steps, which have a flat top and sides with exposed ends. Box steps are made from 2×6 lumber and are quick and easy to build.
Step 1 —Cut the 2x6s
Step 2 —Assemble the Top Frame
Step 3 —Attach the Crossmembers
Step 4 —Install the Bottom Frame
Step 5 —Add the Steps
Build the box stairs first. Cut four 2×12 boards to length and set them aside. Take three more 2x12s and rip them down to 1x6s.
Hang a level on one end of the 2x12s, then use a chalk line to mark the top edge of each piece where it meets the adjacent board. Set your circular saw blade to cut 1/4-inch deep, then cut along these lines with your saw set at 90 degrees.
Rip two pieces of the remaining 2×12 down so they’re half as thick, then attach them to the other side of each step with 3-inch deck screws. You can use an electric screwdriver or a cordless drill to drive these screws in place; just be very careful not to strip out any screw holes if you use this method!
Cut out two pieces of plywood that are 31 inches long by 12 inches wide — these will be used for risers and treads for your deck steps. Attach them together using 4-inch deck screws, then place them at either end of your stairway box frame so they overhang it by 3 inches on all sides.
You can build your own deck steps in a weekend. To get started, you’ll need to:
Step 1: Select materials. Wood steps are the most common choice, but they come in many styles and materials. Use pressure-treated wood to make the deck last longer and resist rot. You can also use composite material like fiberglass or plastic, but they usually cost more than wood.
Step 2: Build the frame. You can use pressure-treated lumber or composite boards for this step. Attach the boards together with screws and glue, making sure to leave a gap between each board for drainage.
Step 3: Lay out the decking boards on top of the frame you just built in Step 2 and screw them down into place using your cordless drill/driver and decking screws (use galvanized if possible).
Step 4: Add railings around the edges of your deck if desired (usually required by local codes).
A box step is a simple and affordable way to make your deck or porch safer. Box steps are sturdy, durable, and easy to build. The steps can be made from pressure-treated lumber and plywood, but if you’re looking for a more durable material, consider using cedar or redwood.
The first step in building a box step is to measure the height of your deck and add 1/4 inch for each step. For example, if your deck is 6 feet high, your box steps will be about 6 1/4 inches high.
Next, cut four 4 x 4s into three equal lengths for each step. Each 4 x 4 will become two sides of each box step plus some extra wood that’s used as framing pieces on top of the steps.
To determine the size of your framing pieces, measure from the bottom of one side piece up to the top of another side piece inside the angle brackets on both ends of each side piece (the point where they intersect). This measurement should be at least 2 inches longer than it would be if you were building only two sides without an angled corner between them (because you need extra room at this point so that when you turn these two pieces on their sides and lock them together with nails or screws
Box steps are great for decks because they have a sturdy frame that does not take up much space, and it is easy to use. However, if you want to build a box step yourself, you will need the following materials:
1 piece of 2×6 lumber cut into two pieces (the length should be twice as long as your deck).
2 pieces of 2×6 lumber cut into two pieces (the length should be half as long as your deck).
1 piece of 2×4 lumber cut into two pieces (the length should be twice as long as your deck).
4 hinges and 4 bolts for each step.
Box steps are a great way to add functionality to your deck. The steps create a landing area for people who are coming off the deck, and they also double as seating areas when you want to relax outside.
Box steps can be made from wood or composite materials like plastic or vinyl. The material you choose will depend on what kind of look you’re going for and how much money you have to spend.
The most common type of box step is made with 2 by 8 lumber, but any size lumber can be used to build these steps. To make it easier to build, we’ll use 2 by 4s for this example.
Step 1: Cut the Pieces
Cut two pieces of 2 by 4 at 51 inches long and one piece at 24 inches long.
Step 2: Make the Box Frame
Use 2 1/2 inch screws to connect all three pieces together so that they form an open box shape like in our picture above. Make sure the sides are flush with each other and that no gaps exist between them before driving your screws into place.
Box steps are a great way to add a little extra storage space to your deck or patio. They are also one of the most popular and versatile steps you can build.
Box steps are built using the same construction methods as any other type of step. The difference is that they have a top step and a bottom step that is open at the sides so you can fit your foot into them more easily.
The most common box step has two sides, but some designs have three or four sides for greater stability. This article will show you how to build box steps with two sides, but if you’d like to build box steps with more than two sides, just follow the same instructions with an extra side piece on each corner (see above).
To make these steps, you’ll need:
2x6x8 pressure-treated lumber (or other wood of equal thickness)
Build box steps for your deck using these simple steps. The box is made from 2x4s and 2x6s, but you can use any size lumber you want. You’ll also need a power drill, circular saw and pneumatic nail gun.
Cut the 2x6s to length, then cut them into 5-foot pieces. These will be your sills.
Cut the 2x4s to length, then cut them into 4-foot pieces. These will be your stringers.
Lay out all of the stringers on the ground in an “L” shape, with one end longer than the other by about 6 inches (15 cm). Attach one end of each stringer to a sill using 3-inch screws driven into predrilled pilot holes. Repeat this step for the remaining three sills and four stringers, making sure that each stringer overlaps by about 6 inches (15 cm) at its end point with another stringer.