Build Durable Stepping Stairs With A Simple And Affordable DIY

A beautifully crafted deck or porch is only great for relaxing on if you can actually get onto it. There are plenty of scenarios where you might want a set of traditional stairs that are professionally built, but that level of quality comes with a higher cost. If you only need a short set of stairs to lead to a low deck or from your garage into your home, then you may be able to save money by building box frame stairs. This technique essentially uses boxes made of wood stacked together to form the stairs. For this DIY project you'll need wood boards, a drill and screws, safety gear for your eyes and hands, and potentially a saw or other wood cutting tool. In some cases, a home improvement store like Home Depot may cut wood for you.

Box frame steps are sturdy and durable, as long as they're built properly and stay fairly short. These steps lack stringers, the side pieces that hold taller staircases together, and are instead built like individual platforms. This makes them easier to DIY and quite stable, but does require more material to build. Luckily, wood is a more affordable building material than stone or concrete, and you may be able to make it even more affordable by using reclaimed lumber or free wood pallets. However, avoid using wood that shows signs of rot or pest damage. The boxy shape of these steps makes them sturdy, but they can still fail if the wood is in poor condition.

Measure your space carefully before you begin. Your stairs' maximum width is only limited by the space and supplies you have available, but they should be at least wide enough to stand on. When determining the height and depth of each step, check your local building codes. In general, codes typically limit the height of a single step to around seven inches, and the depth needs to be at least ten inches. Following the building codes ensures that your steps are legal and safe. Since box frame steps are most durable when they're under four steps total, the height of each step should be at least one quarter of the total height of your deck or porch.

The depth of each step, combined with how many steps you need, will determine how far the stairs extend from the structure. A deeper step may be more comfortable if you have larger feet, but it will also take up more room. For box frame steps, it's important to decide this ahead of time, as the bottom step will need to fill the entire area. You'll need four boards for each step for the sides, and shorter boards to reinforce the interior of the stairs, keeping them durable. You'll also need enough wood to cover the tops. Since wood is fairly affordable, you may be able to get a bit extra while still staying under budget. That'll help in the event one of your measurements was off or you make a mistake while putting the steps together.

Cut your pieces to size, making sure to measure and mark them carefully. If you've cut a piece too short, don't try to rearrange your steps to make it fit. It's better to use it for a smaller step or another project and get a fresh piece of wood for the longer side. Wood is generally affordable enough that running to the store for another board or two likely won't break the bank, but having to start the entire project over after trying to adjust your measurements on the fly just might.

One step at a time, arrange the four frame pieces so that the equal sides are opposite each other. Screw the boards together, then evenly space your central reinforcing boards. They should be parallel to the sides and perpendicular to the front and back. Leave the top boards for last. Instead, put the steps into position and stack them. Line them up and use screws to attach them to each other and to your deck, porch, or home. You may want to add an extra board or post along the back connecting each step as extra reinforcement. Finally, add the wood boards across the top, screwing them in place to create a firm surface to walk on. They should be durable, but test them gently at first to be sure. Also, it's important to seal old wood to keep the steps durable even in the rain and your box frame steps are done!