Wooden Steps That Add Warmth and Style to Any Space
A while back, we took a look at a set of interesting steps that lead from a lower area of ground to an upper area. This isn’t really a deck, and it isn’t really part of a building, but it has some similarities to the type of steps we might find at a deck in a backyard. Unlike those stairways though, this one is not supported above grade. Instead, it follows a winding steep grade at a point of transition. Interestingly, the materials used here are mostly pressure treated southern yellow pine.
Those are the same type of materials used for many types of deck frames. Although other types of wood materials can also be used for deck frames. We’ve looked at several examples of exotic woods and steel structures. Often the steel structures are used just as part of the structure itself and the exotic woods are used just as the upper decking that creates the walking surface.
The exotic hardwoods are generally too expensive to justify use in framing. For the most part, the framing elements are basically functional. The walking surface, by comparison, has both a functional purpose but also has an aesthetic quality like interior wood flooring. Of course, decks are on the exterior of buildings and have to also be able to withstand the exterior elements.
You can see here, in the picture below, the risers of the stairs are built with a five-quarter board. Outside of some unique construction lingo, people often don’t refer to things as five quarters. Instead the typical way to refer to something that is 1.25 of a unit would be to say it’s 1.25. Here though, as a unique historic element of our past, we’ve referred to a board that is roughly 1 in thick as a five-quarter board.
Like a common 1x or 2x, actual thickness of those materials are not the thickness by which they are referred. For example, a 2x lumber is generally closer to 1.5 inches in actual thickness. Here as well, a 5/4 board is actually only about 1 inch thick. And even though the materials are referred to by their thickness, the thickness isn’t consistent. Often there will be a variance.
In framing carpentry and in lumber yards and mills, boards generally have two different types of dimensions, a nominal and an actual dimension. The nominal dimension generally is the intended mill thickness. When the boards are cut, and they are still in a moderately wet state, the boards are a little bit thicker. When they go through a final milling and then go through a kiln drying process, the boards will become a little bit smaller. Hence, 2x dimensional number is rarely ever quite 2 inches thick, instead it’s generally about a half inch thinner than the name implies.
Although the layout of the stairway below looks rough and inconsistent, basically disheveled, it’s intended to follow the rough and natural grade of the land below. That isn’t actually wrong or bad, in itself, but it doesn’t meet the building code.
Since this is in a remote area of the backyard, maybe it’s something that is outside of the jurisdiction of building code, but in almost all cases we would simply recommend that people always follow the building code when building anything. If this is off the property, and into an area that is park land or common space, maybe someone was encouraged to not follow the building code in an attempt to save money, but that still doesn’t officially avoid the authority of the rules.
We like the way it’s done, on a non-professional and personal level (only). It’s almost as if they were using a hodgepodge and variety of materials to save money. Sometimes old and rustic things built a bit more haphazardly have a unique rustic charm. However, things built like that are less safe and therefore should be avoided in all cases here in DC.
In the picture below, for example, you can see that the uppermost five or six sets of stair risers have been built with railroad ties. Those railroad ties are used like small retaining walls which are holding back small areas of soil. The soil becomes the tread of those steps. In the area below, the construction switched to a dimensional pressure treated lumber, instead.
Use a contractor who understands and cares about doing things right. Always, feel free to reach out to us here at Dupont Decks and Patios. We are happy to help with almost all steps of the deck building and design process. A backyard and outdoor space should make a significant, positive impact on both quality of life and home value. We can help with more than just decks, we also build patios, pergolas, ramadas, awnings, gazebos, arbors, and privacy fences.
Let us know about your ideas and talk to us if you have questions about possibilities. We are happy to participate in improving your outdoor space and quality of life! You can call us at (202) 774-9128. You can find us online at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com and you can email us there as well at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com/contact-us
