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How to build outdoor stairs

Freshen up your backyard with this achievable DIY. - by Adam Dovile
  • 25 Mar 2022

A set of steps on its last legs isn’t an issue you can ignore. But a stair kit takes care of the hard part so you can just assemble and install to give safe access to your garden from your deck.

WATCH: Adam Dovile updates an old deck with a new set of steps

A set of steps on its last legs isn’t an issue you can ignore. But a stair kit takes care of the hard part so you can just assemble and install to give safe access to your garden from your deck.

before and after

Before and after.

Sue Ferris

Gather your supplies

  • 3 tread treated pine stair stringer kit
  • 240 x 45 x 900mm stair tread in treated pine (3)

You'll also need

  • Circular saw
  • Spirit level
  • Tape measure
  • Drill
  • Countersinking drill bit
  • 100mm galvanised batten screws
  • Charcoal decking stain
  • Painting equipment

Here's how

Step 1

Unscrew, remove and discard existing gate and stairs.

Step 1

Sue Ferris

Unscrew, remove and discard existing gate and stairs.

Step 2

Cut bottom of stair stringers as required so they will fit into your available space. Sit in position so the horns at the top of the stringer sit on the deck and the channels routed into the stringers are level. Measure the distance between the channels in the stringers to determine the width of your stair treads.

Step 2

Sue Ferris

Cut bottom of stair stringers as required so they will fit into your available space. Sit in position so the horns at the top of the stringer sit on the deck and the channels routed into the stringers are level. Measure the distance between the channels in the stringers to determine the width of your stair treads.

Step 3

Step 3

Step 3

Sue Ferris

Cut treads to length and, with stringers sitting upside down and on edge, slot treads into the channels within the stringers. Predrill through the sides of the stringers into the treads using a countersinking drill bit, then screw together using 100mm batten screws.

Step 4

Step 4

Step 4

Sue Ferris

Sit new staircase in position, predrill with countersinking bit, then screw into frame of deck.

Step 5

Stain steps with 1 coat charcoal decking stain to match the deck.

build-outdoor-stairs-results

The final results.

Sue Ferris

Stain your DIY stairs in the same shade as your deck to create a cohesive flow from alfresco entertaining to garden greenery.

You may also like

How to transform your deck

Refresh the front of your home with a stylish pathway

Update your front porch

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Adam Dovile
Adam Dovile
You still can’t wipe the smile from the affable chippie who won season 2 of House Rules with his wife Lisa in 2014. They then got married in May 2015, and moved from Melbourne to Sydney to join the Better Homes and Gardens team as their resident builder, it’s fair to say that Adam’s grin isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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