How far apart should deck stringers be?
Also to know is, how far apart should deck stringers be? Cut stringers can be spaced no more than 18 inches on center, so a 3-foot-wide staircase needs three stringers, and a set of slightly wider stairs (say 3 feet 6 inches) needs four stringers. The maximum 18-inch spacing presumes treads of 5/4-inch wood decking or 2-by stock.
What is the minimum Stringer spacing for composite roofing?
But low-grade materials (below grade 3) and composite materials made out of a mix of recycled wood products have lower strength. For these materials, you should lower the stringer spacing down to 12 inches.
What is the standard material limit for deck stringers?
Standard Material Limits. When people walk up a deck, they exert much more force on the stairs than they do on the deck surface itself. Because stringers support some of this force, they cannot be spaced too far apart from each other. For a normal deck step, two stringers should be placed no more than 16 inches away from each other.
How far apart should stair treads be on composite decking?
Always check the maximum span for your decking material as it applies to stair treads. Some composite materials and lower-grade 5/4 wood decking may require you to reduce the stringer spacing to 10” on center. Always read the composite decking installation instructions for stair treads before building your stairs.
How far apart should stair stringers be for composite decking?
about 8 to 16 inches apartComposite deck stairs are typically made from 2 x 12 pressure-treated stringers spaced about 8 to 16 inches apart. They rest on a solid foundation and are attached to the deck with hangers.
How far apart should joists be for composite decking?
16 inches OCMost composite and PVC decking brands, like Trex and Azek, recommend a maximum joist spacing of 16 inches OC.
How far should stringers be apart?
Stringers should be spaced no more than 36 inches apart from each other for maximum stair support, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
What is the standard gap in composite decking?
According to ambient temperature allow a 5 – 7mm gap between end of composite deck board and the fascia.
How many joists do I need for a 12x12 deck?
For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists.
Does Trex need to be 12 on Center?
When designing a new trex or composite deck, the spacing between floor joists should be 12 inches on center. On center means that the measurement should be taken from the center of a joist edge to the center of the next joist edge.
How many stringers should I use?
If cut stringers are used in the stair construction, then at least three stringers are required. Cut stringers should be spaced no more than 18 inches on center. For example, a 36-inch-wide stairway should have three stringers. If the stairway is wider than 36 inches, four stringers should be installed.
How long can stringers be without support?
The minimum recommended size for a deck stair stringer is 2x12, which has a maximum recommended unsupported span of 6 feet. Often this maximum span is dangerously exceeded, resulting in overspanned stringers that will deflect and cause the connection at the deck to pull loose and fail.
How many stringers are required for deck stairs?
The number of stringers you need is a function of the width of the staircase and the tread material. Cut stringers can be spaced no more than 18 inches on center, so a 3-foot-wide staircase needs three stringers, and a set of slightly wider stairs (say 3 feet 6 inches) needs four stringers.
Can composite decking be butted together?
Staggered decking requires butt joints, but composite decking expands and contracts with temperature changes making butt joints unsightly. It is better to design a composite deck with intentional design elements to avoid staggering boards for a wider composite deck.
Do you have to leave a space between composite decking?
As temperatures fluctuate, composite deck boards will naturally experience thermal expansion and contraction. That's why the board ends should never be installed tight against one another. There should always be a slight gap.
How far apart should Trex deck boards be?
All deck boards must always be installed with a 6mm side-to-side gap. The Trex Hideaway Hidden Fasteners automatically measure the 6mm gap between grooved edge boards but you must still ensure the 6mm gap with the square edge boards.
How thick is 5/4 x 6 decking?
The above image is an example using 5/4 x 6 decking which is 1" thick , a stair rise that is 6-3/8" and a bottom stair stringer rise that is 5-3/8". The cut line is in red.
How high is the bottom step of a staircase?
The bottom step has a 5-3/8" rise. The next step has a 6-3/8" rise. Notice that the stair stringers land on the concrete landing with a 12" bearing.
Why overbuild stairs?
It is best policy to overbuild your stairs because of the increased wear and tear they often receive. Pay particular attention to the stringer placement if you are attaching stairs around a corner, as in the case of a cascading staircase.
How to figure out the total rise of stairs?
Determine the total rise for your stairs using a level and a tape measure. Measure the distance from the top of the deck surface to the top of the stair landing. Input the total rise number into the Decks.com Stairs Calculator to determine the number of stairs, each stair rise and run for laying out your stair stringers. The above example shows outside drop-mounted stairs.
Can you draw stair treads on 2x12 stringers?
You can now draw the notches for the stairs onto your 2x12 stair stringers. The difference between the stair rises and tread depths cannot vary by more than 3/8" from the largest to the smallest.
How far apart should stringers be on a deck?
Because stringers support some of this force, they cannot be spaced too far apart from each other. For a normal deck step, two stringers should be placed no more than 16 inches away from each other.
What is the importance of spacing and sizing when building a deck?
When you build a deck, spacing and sizing are both critical. Your measurements and layout need to be accurate, not only for the primary deck surface but for the smaller parts, like your deck stairs.
What grade wood is used for stringers?
Your stringers cannot take all the credit -- high-grade wood materials will help support a lot of weight all on their own. But low-grade materials (below grade 3) and composite materials made out of a mix of recycled wood products have lower strength.
What is stringer board?
Stringers Definition. Stringers are the boards that show the rise and plane of each step your deck has. They are plywood framework that is installed before any other deck component. Their back surface is flat, a perfect slope leading up from the ground to the deck.
How many inches between joists for composite decking?
Most composite and PVC decking brands, like Trex and Azek, recommend a maximum joist spacing of 16 inches OC. Some brands, like WearDeck, let you get away with more – reinforced with a layer of fiberglass on both the top and bottom, WearDeck boards easily allow for spans of 24 inches OC.
How far apart are deck joists?
If you were to draw a line down the center of two joists and then measure the distance between them as 16 inches, that measurement is 16 inches on center.
What happens if you space joists too close together?
However, if you space your joists too close together, it will be difficult to install supporting elements such as joist hangers, blocking, and flashing .
Why is my deck failing?
Your deck can begin to fail prematurely if the framing is weak. Be sure to follow your composite decking manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully, and keep the following tips in mind.
How to support joists?
Support your joists with blocking. Blocking is a common technique that involves putting small pieces of decking material between joists to increase rigidity and prevent them from twisting or sagging. Blocking can be done along the perimeter of the frame, mid-span, or both.
How much OC do you need for composite?
Composite materials have changed drastically over the years, improving in both performance and appearance. At the same time, local building code requirements have also become stricter. For example, towns that once required a maximum of 16” OC for composites may now require 12” OC.
When to use 12 inches OC?
That is unless you’re installing your deck at a 45-degree angle – in this case, 12 inches OC is recommended by most composite decking brands.
How many inches of joist spacing for 45 degree deck?
Composite decking brands also generally require 12 inches O.C.joist spacing for 45-degree or angled composite deck board applications. This ensures that
How many inches should deck joists be?
Deck joists are typically spaced either every 12 inches or 16 inches on center. The maximum joist spacing you can use will depend on the size and allowable span of your joists.
What is a joist on a deck?
Joists are structural elements that make up the entire framework of the deck. Joists are attached to the installed ledger board using a joist hanger, or hanger bracket, and run the entire distance of the deck out from the house.
Deck Stair Basics
This deck already has composite decking and deck railings installed. See the steps in How to Build a Deck: Composite Decking and Railings. It's common to build the framing with treated lumber and use composite surface material, as with the decking and stairs on this deck.
Stair Measurements
Determine the location of your bottom step. Set a long level or straight 2 x 4 on top of the decking, and measure the height at the point where you want your steps to end. Use this measurement to determine the number and height of the risers.
Creating a Stair Landing
A concrete pad is one common type of landing. It has a 4-inch layer of gravel underneath and extends beyond the steps about 36 inches. You can find step-by-step instructions for pouring a concrete pad landing in How to Build a Deck: Wood Stairs and Stair Railings.
Cutting the Stringers
When you have the rise and run determined and the footers installed, mark the stairs on 2 x 12s to create stringers.
Attaching the Stringers, Toe Kicks and Treads
You'll attach posts to the footings you poured above and run the stringers between the deck and the posts. Once the stringers are secure, you can add the toe kicks and treads.
Installing the Stair Railings
The stair railings include vinyl top and bottom rails, as well as balusters.
Working with Pressure-Treated Lumber
Use fasteners and hardware labeled for treated lumber — stainless-steel or hot-dipped, galvanized screws.
