How to Cut Deck Stringers

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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When you're building the stairs to your deck, you might find yourself confused as to how you should cut the stringers so that they will be even and sturdy. Cutting deck stringers is an exact science if you follow the correct procedures. Read on to learn how.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Measuring tape
String
Wood
Saw
Carpenter square
Pencil

Step1

Determine how long you need the stringer to be. To do this,take a piece of string. Attach one end to the deck, and then put the other end on the ground where you want the bottom of the stairs to be.

Step2

Use the length of string to measure how long your stringer needs to be. Lay the string across the piece of wood that you'll be using as your stringer. Use a pencil to make a mark on the board where the string ends. Now you can cut the board so that it will be the appropriate length.

Step3

Use a carpenter square to measure the angle that you need to cut on the ends of the stringer. To do this, take your string back outside and reconnect it to the same spots that you connected it earlier. Put the carpenter square against the edge of the deck, and note the numbers that the string crosses. Do this for both ends of the string.

Step4

Take your carpenter square to the wood that will be your stringer. Put the carpenter square on the end of the wood ,and draw a line connecting the numbers that the string crossed. This is the angle that you need to cut the wood at in order for it to be flush with the deck's edge.

Step5

Do the same for the other end of the wood, but this time use the numbers that you got from the place where the string met the ground.

Step6

Cut the wood along the pencil lines that you have drawn. Now you have stringers for your deck.

Tips & Warnings

There are lots of ways to use a carpenter square. They are difficult tools to master. You may want to buy a book to help you use this tool.
Write down the numbers where the string crosses the carpenter square. If you mistakenly use the wrong numbers then your stringer won't be cut correctly.