How many steps needed for a 3′, 4′, 5′ and 6 foot high deck depends on the height of the deck and local building codes, which often specify the maximum riser height (the vertical distance between steps) and tread depth (the horizontal depth of each step). As a general guideline, you can use the following formula:
Formula for Number of Steps = Height of Deck / Maximum Riser Height. Typically, a comfortable maximum riser height is around 7 to 8 inches, but local codes may vary. Assuming a 7-inch maximum riser height:
For a 3-foot high deck: 3 feet / 7 inches = approximately 5 steps. For a 4-foot high deck: 4 feet / 7 inches = approximately 6 steps. For a 5-foot high deck: 5 feet / 7 inches = approximately 7 steps. For a 6-foot high deck: 6 feet / 7 inches = approximately 8 steps.
Deck is the outdoor construction. It may be attached to your house, or floating deck in your yard along with stairs. It is good looking and increases the aesthetic space and beauty of your house. Adding a deck to a house or yard is a great way to create an outdoor living space. Building a deck requires plenty of planning as well as the right materials footings joists, posts, footing, subfloor, and methods, but it’s worth the effort.
In general, for 3 feet height, you would need around 4 to 7 steps, while for 4 feet height, you would need around 6 to 9 steps. Likewise, for 5 feet height, you would need around 7 to 11 steps, while for 6 feet height, you would need around 9 to 14 steps.
One of the common and most important structure required is building stairs for deck that make easily accessible to climb up on deck. Smaller deck will require one stairs and bigger one two stairs. Stairs consist of stringers, steps, riser and tread. Riser is vertical height of stairs and tread is horizontal members on which you put your foot to go up. One riser and one tread make one step.
There are two types of deck floating deck and attached deck. A floating deck is a structure that is not attached to your house or another existing building. It is self-supporting structure and are not connected to your home’s existing foundation. Floating deck height is range between 3 feet to 6 feet above the ground which will require more steps. An attached deck is connected to some existing structure, such as your house, garage, or other building which will require fewer steps.
An ideal riser height is 7 or 8 inches. The optimal tread width (from front to back) is 10 inches. Treads should never be less than 9 inches, nor more than 11 inches. The maximum riser height shall be 73/4 inches. The riser shall be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads. Minimum riser height shall be 5 inches.
How many steps for a 3′, 4′, 5′ and 6 foot high deck
To figure least number of steps for your deck, measure your deck height in inches at the stair location. Then divide by 7.75 inches of riser height. You can subtract 1 from above results which will give least number of steps you will need.
Formula to calculate number of steps for your deck stairs = number of riser – 1.
For example, if your deck is a four foot high. Convert your deck height in inches = 4×12 = 48 inches. Divide 48 inches by 7.75 inches (riser height) i.e 48/ 7.75 = 6.19, round up as whole number as 7 riser. Subtract 1 from 7 risers, which will give 6 steps. So, A 4 foot high deck can have 6 least number of steps.
To figure maximum number of steps for your deck, measure your deck height in inches at the stair location. Then divide by 5 inches of riser height. You can subtract 1 from above results which will give maximum number of steps you will need.
For example, if your deck is a four foot high. Convert your deck height in inches = 4×12 = 48 inches. Divide 48 inches by 5 inches (riser height) i.e 48/ 5 = 9.6, round up as whole number as 10 riser. Subtract 1 from 10 risers, which will give 9 steps. So, A 4 foot high deck can have 9 maximum number of steps.
In general, for a 3-foot high deck, you would need about 5 steps, while for a 4-foot high deck, you would need about 6 steps. Likewise, for a 5-foot high deck, you would need about 7 steps, while for a 6-foot high deck, you would need about 8 steps.
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How many steps do a need for a 3 foot high deck
If your deck is a 3 foot high, you would need approximately 4 to 7 steps. Least count of steps = (3×12)/7.75 minus 1 = 4 steps or maximum count of steps = (3×12)/5 minus 1 = 7 steps. Thus, A three foot (36″) high deck can have a range between 4 and 7 steps.
How many steps do a need for a 4 foot high deck
If your deck is a 4 foot high, you would need approximately 6 to 9 steps. Least count of steps = (4×12)/7.75 minus 1 = 6 steps or maximum count of steps = (4×12)/5 minus 1 = 9 steps. Thus, A four foot (48″) high deck can have a range between 6 and 9 steps.
How many steps do a need for a 5 foot high deck
If your deck is a 5 foot high, you would need approximately 7 to 11 steps. Least count of steps = (5×12)/7.75 minus 1 = 7 steps or maximum count of steps = (5×12)/5 minus 1 = 11 steps. Thus, A five foot high deck can have a range between 7 and 11 steps.
How many steps do a need for a 6 foot high deck
If your deck is a 6 foot high, you would need approximately 9 to 14 steps. Least count of steps = (6×12)/7.75 minus 1 = 9 steps or maximum count of steps = (6×12)/5 minus 1 = 14 steps. Thus, A six foot (60″) high deck can have a range between 9 and 14 steps.
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Conclusions:
A 3 foot high deck can have a range between 4 and 7 steps. If your deck is a 4 foot, 5 foot, and 6 foot high, you will require minimum 6, 7 and 8 steps respectively.