Deck stairs down to stone patio
davidmeiland
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I have a couple of stairs to build down from a deck. At least one and probably both will land on a flagstone surface. The stone will be set in mortar over a slab. My concern is the junction between wood and stone. For obvious reasons I really don’t want my stringers sitting right on the stone, so I’m thinking either a 2x PT cleat attached to the stone… or what? Anyone have an elegant way they’ve done this?
Replies
If the stringers are PT and the flagstone is mortared in place, I don't see a problem with sitting the stringers right on the stone. If you are worried, a PT 2x10 or similar on the flat would work. You could bolt this cleat to the stone.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
I'm probably thinking of something that doesn't exist... but around here that stone will be wet a lot of the time and the PT will get funky. Not right away, but in my lifetime, so I'm just looking for ways to extend it.
Cut the stringers short on the bottom, pad it with pcs. of routed trex or similar.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Trex... isn't it supposed to be kept from continuous soaking?
Well david, I don't know. A search of the Trex site would answer that. I think that the pvc trims like Azek and Koma would work as they're offered for continuous damp contact. On my stairs to stone I used pads of five /quarter. Didn't think about the trex till today. Here's a couple steps to sandstone. I'm sorry, couldn't find the picture of those damn pads.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Actually, I really like the Azek idea. Set the bottoms of the stringers down on blocks of PVC that are set on the slab (maybe glued down, if there's a glue that will do that), and then use galvanized brackets of some kind to anchor to the concrete. No 2x flat on the concrete.
Too bad you aren't across the street, I'd have the puny scraps you'll need. Hopefully you have some laying around.
I let the bottom float on my stair, tied to the timbers at the side. Movements in the sand set stone doesn't seem to have been drastic. Attached at one side keeps the stair firm.
best of luckRemodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
How about little pieces of copper flashing?
I'm not sure if you've considered any frost concerns. I've seen large stones and landings that have raised during the winter and crack off deck stairs. With this in mind and the concerns of mositure rot, I would secure the bottom of the stairs to footings and not contact the stone landing. I would install the footings about a foot back from the end and cantilever the last step.
I did the exact same thing about 5 yrs ago. I had to rework the stairs last summer for a landscape project and the stringers (PT) were as fresh as the day I put them down. I didnt anchor -- between the treads and the connection to the deck itself, they havent budged. Altho Im not sure that this would pass inspection.....