How to make curved deck stairs
Posted on Jan 02, 2009 under Deck Stairs | 2 CommentsIf you want to build a deck with curved Deck Stairs leading from an upper deck to a lower deck then I have outlined below the overview of the process.
An example might be if the deck itself is about 16 feet wide and the center of the deck stairs are 2 or 3 feet further out than the ends of the stairs, giving a radius of roughly 8.5 feet to the circle inscribed by each tread. Your stair boards that sit on top of the stair joists need to be cut to shape. Also your stair joists will need to be cut to the correct shape to provide support under each stair board.
I’d recommend using three stair joists. A long one in the center and two shorter ones on the ends. Then if you want to add a finish trim underneath the stair boards, you will have to bend them.
That is normally done by steaming the board then bending it around a form that bends the ends slightly more than the amount they will be bent on your deck stairs. You then pin your board in place after bending it around the form and let it sit for a while to gain the bent shape. Once you release it from the form it will bend out a little, just like a spring would. Then just nail your bent trim in place.
One further point – remember on your stair joists to account for the trim width if you are going to add trim.
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Your stair boards that sit on top of the stair joists just need cut to shape. Also your stair joists will need cut to the correct shape to provide support under each stair board. I'd probably recommend using three stair joists. A long one in the center and two shorter ones on the ends. Then if you want to add a finish trim underneath the stair boards, that you will have to bend. That is normally done by steaming the board then bending it around a form that bends the ends slightly more than what they will be bent on your stairs. Then pin your board in place after bending it around the form and let it sit for a while gain the bent shape. Once you release it from the form it will bend out some, just like a spring would. Then just nail your bent trim in place. Remeber on your stair joists to account for the trim width if you are going to add trim.
References :
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Devilish was right for the most part but you will need to cut reliefs in the back of the boards to be bent if they dont bend easily or if radius is too tight for the boards to bend. A relief is a cut made in the badk of the board aproximately 1/2 – 3/4 of the way through the board with a circular saw made about every half inch to an inch, depending on how tight abend the board needs to make.
References :
general contractor