How to Build Wooden Porch Steps

A set of wooden porch steps will add natural beauty to your entrance, and provide safe and comfortable access. Use the directions below to make your own porch steps in about 4 to 6 hours.

Step 1:    Record These Key Measurements

Measure how wide each step tread will be. Each will be 12 inches deep. Using the 4-foot square and the tape measure, work out how tall the stairway will be (the "rise") from the ground to the horizontal level of the porch or deck they join.

Calculate how many step treads are needed. Divide the rise by the number of desired step treads to get the height of each vertical support (the "risers" ) for the treads.  Purchase enough pressure-treated wood to complete the project.

Building codes may specify a maximum height of 10 inches for each riser. Add more step treads to shorten the risers to between 7 and 8 inches.

Step 2:    Prepare the Stairway Supports

These supports, called "stringers" are notched support beams to which you attach the step treads and risers. The stringers connect the stairway to the porch.  Set the height of the riser from Step 1 onto the measuring square, and draw the correct number of right-angled step treads and risers onto a 2 by 12-inch pressure-treated board.  Cut out these angles on the miter saw staying within the drawn lines.

Make 1 stringer for every 18 inches of stair width. If your steps are 36 inches wide, you will need 3 stringers, two for the edges and one down the middle of the steps.  Cut the end of the first stringer to the correct length with a handsaw. Make two or more stringers identical to the first. Trim the edges of the stringer notches to match the width of the step treads and thickness of the risers.

Step 3:    Cut the Treads and Risers

Based on your measurements, cut the treads and risers from the pressure-treated wood.

Step 4:    Affix the Stringers to the Porch Frame

Drill holes for the L-shaped brackets, and attach them at the farthest left and right ends of the stairway, longest side vertical, to the porch frame with 3-inch deck screws. Affix the midway stringer to the deck, from the deck outward with 2, - 3-inch deck screws, drilled into the back of the stringer.

Step 5:    Attach the Risers

Using 3-inch screws, fit the risers onto the stringers vertically. The step treads will sit on top of these supports horizontally.

Step 6:    Add the Step Treads

Screw the step treads down with one screw into the stringer and one into the riser for each stringer support.  Walk on the stairs to test for firmness.