Staircases

• Q&A: Exterior Stair Riser Heights

  Q: I’m building an exterior stairway from a deck to grade. Is there a building code requirement that the risers of an exterior stairway all be the same height?

   

• Notebook

  International code finally a reality; housewrap performance; OSHA takes on repetitive stress; innovative temporary shelter

   

• By Design: Handsome Handrails (Subscriber content)

  Designing elegant deck rails

   
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  Trimming out Stairs (Subscriber content)

  Site-built staircases are an important part of many medium-budget projects. In this step-by-step guide, a stair specialist describes how to lay out, cut and install treads, risers, and elegant post-to-post stair railings using stock parts.

   

• Building Distinctive Decks (Subscriber content)

  A deck specialist explains the details that make his work stand apart from the competition.

   

• By Design: The Expandable Floor Plan (Subscriber content)

  Planning for an expandable house

   

• Ladders - Top to Bottom (Subscriber content)

  Should you buy aluminum, fiberglass, or wood? What size? And what do those ratings mean? A scaffolding contractor answers these and other questions about ladders, and describes the most useful accessories.

   

• By Design: Fitting a Staircase (Subscriber content)

  Fitting stairs into a small plan

   

• Letters

  Deck details, nailing metal hangers, vinyl siding

   

• Letters

  Venting cedar shingle roofs, aluminum nails for wood roofing, stair-building details