Box stair framing Our DIY staffers love it when we find one of our more... "creative" awardees stepping outside of their beloved comfort zones to pick up a few extra cents from the nice people at eHow.com. Today's is once such occasion, a day in which a repeat DotD with advanced degrees in "creative writing" and "math education" tries her hand at a carpentry primers. Please welcome to the nomination stand Stephanie Ellen (also known as S. Deviant), whom we found attempting to explain "How to Make Stairs Out of a Box," now residing at HomeSteady.com Ellen plugged the question into her favorite search engine and found out that there is something called "box stairs" and that there was a website with instructions. "Hooray!" she said, "My post is written!" And so Stephanie performed a classic copy-reword-paste job on that post which, the house carpenters allow, is of acceptable quality. As is so often the case with eHow's contributors, failure to understand what she was rewording led to some problems. First, though, Stephanie had to write an introduction explaining the task, an intro that included the following: "...Box stairs have the advantage of being easier to build. They are also sturdier than traditional steps. While traditional stairs use stair stringers as a basis for steps, box stairs use a series of pressure-treated wood boxes..." A couple of points, Steph: your reference doesn't say that box steps are "sturdier," because that's not necessarily true. It's especially unlikely to be true if the reader follows your instructions. Second, that "pressure-treated" specification? that's for decks. You wouldn't want to do that in your family room. So let's get to Ellen's instructions: Measure for the stairs. Build "boxes" of 2-by-6 stock (in which Steph forgets to allow for the 1½" thickness of a 2-by-6 when constructing her box). "Cut the 1 1/4-inch-by-6-inch boards to the width of your stairs." "Place the second box in position on top of the first box, then screw the boxes securely together up through the base of the second box. Complete Step 5 for the topmost box." We noticed that Stephanie changed the reference's "5/4x6 deck boards" to "1 1/4-inch-by-6-inch boards," clearly revealing her unfamiliarity with the terminology of carpentry and lumber. We also note that Steph failed to mention the blocking required inside the boxes to prevent flexing of the treads (probably didn't know what "blocking" means). She also neglected to mention any overhang on the treads, which is necessary to make the stairs look "finished." As for the the bit about securing the boxes together by "[screwing] up through the base of the second box," that''s not just ambiguous, it's also not what her reference said. The reference chosen by our Dumbass of the Day (and every other reference we've found) says to construct the box frames and strap them together (and to the deck) before adding the treads. But who are we to argue with someone with a degree in creative writing? copyright © 2020-2023 scmrak DDIY - STAIRS

This box method is an easy way to build steps to your front porch using a series of boxes covered with treads. Check out the beautiful finished results!

The perfect meeting point between practicality and design, a welcome as simple as it is refined… get ready to discover an unmissable selection of modern

Create an attractive entrance to your deck and a spacious spot to sit with our step-by-step tutorial for building steps for a deck.

Looking for the best plans on how to build a deck step by step with pictures? Just follow these simple steps, just make absolutely sure you . . .

Discover creative deck steps ideas to elevate your outdoor space. From modern designs to natural blends, find inspiration to enhance your deck.

Summer is right around the corner, and that means leisurely days on the porch are within reach. Enhance your outdoor space with custom-built free standing wooden steps, a project that not only adds beauty but also ensures safety and functionality. Building your own free standing stairs allows for a personalized touch, aligning with your home's aesthetics and your specific needs. Making free standing wooden steps doesn't have to be an intimidating task. With our 20 easy ideas on how to build free standing wooden steps guide, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to build steps that are sturdy, reliable, and

The latest building codes require decks supported by a house to be built with a “positive attachment” to resist lateral loads

We replaced the concrete front steps with this nice wrap around cedar stair case. We went with a more contemporary design on the corners and used the herringbone pattern rather than mitered corners…

Have you been planning to expand and extend your living space with an adjoining deck and deck steps? For those who are craving additional footage for everyday use, entertaining purposes, or to have a more

Excelsior, MN Landscape with deck and water features

Faster to frame than cut stringers, wraparound stacked boxes make a lot of sense for short, wide deck stairs.

How to build a raised deck for beginners with no prior experience. Step-by-step guide on how to build a composite deck.

Discover where luxury and leisure meet with the best backyard deck ideas. Explore unique wood and composite decking designs and layouts.

Looking for the best plans on how to build a deck step by step with pictures? Just follow these simple steps, just make absolutely sure you . . .

Before you install composite decking, read this guide. Find out what you should know so you can make the right decision for your home.

Calculating the step dimensions, laying out stringers and building a sturdy set of deck stairs.

In this post, we explore different multi-level deck ideas, from simple to extravagant — with images for inspiration!

Platinum Decking builds high-end decks in the Chicagoland and Chicago Suburbs. Visit our Deck Gallery to see some of the custom deck projects we have built.

How many times have you sat on a deck and looked across the lake—only to see the railing instead of the horizon? Fix that with wraparound stairs.