May I recommend getting pre-cut stringers if your deck height allows it? Haha.
I wish I could say we did more with the deck since we last left off, but between rain delays and stringers being a time consuming task, this is what we got. (Oddball 2×4 is there to help me level)
Seriously, it rained every day last week, then pretty much all day Saturday. The upside? It was very easy to excavate the sod.
We had to do four stringers – 16 inches apart, total stair width about 48 inches – and while I’d like to report that I got better at cutting the stringers with each complete board…I did not. Haha. I’m going to chalk it up to a 90 degree day and 100% humidity. It was taxing. And messy. Didn’t degrade my work(wo)manship, but it didn’t improve it.
We bought two 2″ x 12″ x 16′ boards and had Lowe’s cut them in half. Cheaper than four 12″ boards and less waste. From there, I traced a stringer outline based on crazy math. Just google “deck step calculator” and you can find one that works for you. There are so many variables to take into account! It’s absurd. Anyway, it took us almost all day Sunday to do it. Yay? Bleh.
Once we get treads and risers on the stringers (so many decky words), I’ll do a proper post with lotsa photos and more explanation. “Why’d you dig out so much?!” Don’t worry, I’ll explain later. We’re not totally mad, I promise!
Have you ever started a seemingly simple project that took all day?
