How to Make Steps Leading to a Patio Door
If you have a patio door that is several feet above ground level, as many patio doors are, then a set of steps leading to the patio is a necessity. You can build them from stone, wood, brick or cement or any other material. The key is to make these steps wide enough to accommodate the patio door, whether it is sliding or French, and the easiest way to do it is to build wood patio steps right up to your door. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Step materials (wood, brick, concrete)
- Hammer
- Nails
- Drill
- Metal braces
- Stringers
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of you entire patio door opening, from one side to the other. Include both doors in the width.
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2
Remove the lower patio door molding, if any is installed, using a crowbar and nail pry. Mount a 2-by-8 board cut to the width of the patio door opening to the wall just under the edge of the patio door. For attaching stairs to a concrete wall or brick, use masonry bits to drill anchor holes and attach them with anchor bolts.
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3
Attach three stair stringers, which you can buy at a lumber store, to the 2-by-8 board. The two end stringers will go alongside the board, and the center stringer will have a notch cut in the center to fit under the board. Use bracing and long deck screws or wood screws to mount the stringers.
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4
Cut and install treads across the lengths of the stringers using outdoor, galvanized deck screws and a power driver.
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5
Install risers if desired. Cut to the length of the steps and mount with galvanized deck screws.
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Tips & Warnings
For soft land you will also want to build a concrete foundation or use cinder blocks to ensure your steps do not sink. For most homes this is not necessary.
