Amateur carpenters who have laid out the cuts in a stair stringer (the zig-zag structural support for the steps) know the queasy feeling that bubbles up at the prospect of this job. There’s the simple ...

We’ve got the frame, the boards, and the weatherproofing—now it’s time to finish strong! In Part 4 of Building an EPIC Deck, ...

DEAR TIM: I need to build some simple outdoor steps to replace ones that fell apart and rotted (even though they were made with treated lumber). I’m fairly handy and have a decent grasp of the math ...

If you have plans to build a deck that will have more than one level or will be more than 15 inches above the ground, you’ll need stairs. Stairs can be among the more challenging aspects of a ...

Q: I have to build a simple set of steps, but I’m totally lost. I don’t understand how to calculate what the distance should be for the risers and the treads. Help me understand the thought process of ...

DEAR TIM: I have to build a simple set of steps but I’m totally lost. I don’t understand how to calculate what the distance should be for the risers and the treads. Everything about building steps ...

You probably give little thought to why the stairs in your home are built the way they are. I’m talking about how high you need to lift your foot to get up to the next step and how deep the flat tread ...

Q. I have to build a simple set of steps but I'm totally lost. I don't understand how to calculate what the distance should be for the risers and the treads. Everything about building steps seems ...