How Do You Build Wood Porch Steps?
Wooden steps are the finishing touch to any porch or deck, providing not just safe, easy access, but a touch of beauty. While easier to build than concrete stairs, there’s a lot to know when building them. The basic terms are these: the rim joist, stringers, risers, run, and treads. The rim joist is base of a porch’s wood structure and this is where you will connect your stairs to your porch. Stringers are the pieces of wood that run from the rim joist to the ground and they bear most of the weight. The riser is the vertical element of the stairway and refers to the height of the stairs and of each step. The run is the depth of the step. The tread is the top of the step. Attach a string to the porch floor and stretch it to a stake driven into the ground where you want the steps. The string should be level, not sloping. Measure the length of the string with a measuring tape to get the overall run (length) of the stairs. Measure down from the string to the base of the stake. This gives y
