With total rise and total run, you can calculate the length of the stringers, using a formula that’s been around since Pythagoras was puttering at his cottage: Stringer length equals the square root of. In our example, 51″ divided by 7 is 7.28″ round off to 7 1⁄4″.Ĥ. Determine riser height: Divide the total rise by the number of steps. Once you’ve figured that out, you can level this area.ģ. This is important, as total run determines where the stairs end. If the total rise changes significantly (from the 51″ measure), you might have to include an extra step or two in your calculations, in which case total run will have to be increased by 103⁄4″ for each additional step. Now, from a point 75 1⁄4″ out from the deck along that horizontal board, measure down to the ground. Seven treads times 103⁄4″ (the run) equals 75 1⁄4″-that’s the total run. Your optimum stair rise of 7″ divides into that a bit more than seven times, so you need seven steps. Say your total rise measures 51″ at the point you think the stairs will meet the ground. If the ground slopes, measuring gets a little trickier. Determine the total run: If the ground is reasonably level, it’s no big deal to figure out a fairly accurate total run – the distance from the deck out to the leading edge of the bottom step. At that point, measure from the bottom of the board to ground level.Ģ. Determine the total rise: On the deck surface, clamp a board on edge, projecting horizontally to where you expect the stairs to end. Here’s how I lay out and cut stringers for outdoor stairs:ġ. (Two 2 x 6s are also commonly used for treads, giving you a tread depth that’s 1⁄4″ wider.) Using the formula for comfortable stairs, our optimum riser height will then measure about 7″. That gives you an 11″ tread depth – and a starting point for planning your stringers.
Ontario building code for stairs plus#
For comfortable stairs, consider also the relationship between riser and run: A good rough guideline is two times the riser height plus the run should equal close to 25″.įor deck stairs, the tread depth and the run are generally givens, because treads are often built of three 2 x 4s, with a 1⁄4″ gap between each board.
Ontario building code for stairs code#
I prefer a 1⁄4″ overhang the most Code allows is 1″. That’s because, for ergonomics and aesthetics, each tread should overhang the stringer frame. The tread depth, the distance from front to back of the tread, is a bit longer than the run, the horizontal cut in the stringer. Any deviation and we can trip, fall, and die (or, at least, spill a great cocktail).Ĭode also limits riser height and tread depth. That’s an Ontario Building Code violation and not very safe: After the first few steps, our brains sense a pattern and program our legs to just clear the rest. Yes, precut stringers are sold at building centres, but they’re not customized to your deck’s height, so you’ll likely have an unequal step at the bottom. And, although accurate layout and cutting are critical, few tools are required for building. In fact, the planning is just simple arithmetic and geometry, math any calculator can overcome. Constructing outdoor stairs, such as those leading down from a deck, can be a challenge, one that some cottage handypeople avoid, thinking it too daunting.
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