Deck Stairs and Railings That Feel Solid

Why Stairs and Rails Go First

Every trip to the yard crosses the stairs. Every lean on the edge loads the rail. Sun, rain and feet hit these parts harder than the rest of the deck.

A rail can look fine and still move when you push it. A stair can look level and still have a cracked stringer under it. That is why we push, pull and step on every part when we look.

New and Rebuilt Stairs

Good stairs have steps that are all the same height and depth. Your feet expect it. One odd step is how people trip.

We build new stairs with solid stringers, a firm landing at the bottom and a handrail you can grab. On a sloped lot, a long run may need a landing part way down. We plan that with the deck, not as an afterthought.

Rail Styles

Wood rails are the classic look and the lowest cost. They match a wood deck and can be stained with it.

Metal balusters with a wood top rail give a cleaner look and let you see the yard. This is the style in the photo on this page.

Cable rails keep the view open the most. They need strong posts, because the cables pull hard on the ends.

Upgrading Rails on an Older Deck

You do not always need a new deck to get new rails. If the frame is sound, we can take off old rails and put on new posts and rails. It is one of the fastest ways to make an older deck feel new and safer.

Stairs and Rails on Rentals

On a rental, a loose rail is a call from a tenant waiting to happen. Owners and managers often ask us to check stairs and rails between leases. See rental property decks for more.