When designing a custom deck solution, your staircase cannot be overlooked. Deck stairs can be built as part of a new decking system or can be built as a renovation or addition to an existing deck system. Stairs create a more accessible and complete deck design.
Deck stairs can be built from several different materials, including cedar, pressured wood, aluminum or vinyl. Stairs can be made in a straight, platform pivoted or in curved patterns. Staircase deck railings can match the deck system or be made from separate materials.
Your deck stairs offer a similar level of customization as the decking itself. Let the staircase design and build experts at Mountain View Sun Decks help with your next deck staircase projects. We can help with the design, permitting, installation and clean up.
Custom Deck Stairs
A custom deck stair design and build project allow a homeowner to craft the perfect staircase for their deck needs and budget. Your deck design can influence this decision. For example, shorter decks that touch the ground may want a wrap around or wider staircase. A raised decking system may prefer winding; platform pivoted or elongated straight staircases. The materials used in the staircase, as well as their finished and colours, can all be selected in order to craft the perfect stairs for your deck and to match the home exterior.
Wood Deck Stairs
Wood deck stairs are inexpensive, very customisable and create a warm atmosphere leading up to your deck space. Wood deck stairs can be stained or painted to offer increased moisture protection and longevity while providing limitless colour options. The two major forms of wood decks are:
- Cedar – Cedar woods have oils and saps that naturally promote moisture resistance. Cedars decks can last upwards of 15 years without major repairs. Cedar decking is also stunning, fragrant and affordable. Cedar decks are soft which makes it somewhat vulnerable to scratches.
- Pressure Treated – Pressure treated wood can be even more cost effective than cedar and can offer great material warranties. Pressure treated wood is somewhat prone to warping and can require a several month drying period before applying stains or paints. Pressure treated stairs can also use PVC or vinyl wraps to promote increased durability and aesthetics.
Both of these wood staircase options have respective benefits. With proper installations, both cedar and pressure treated staircases can be beautiful, safe and effective for years to come. Contact Mountain View Sun Decks to help with all your deck stair design and installation needs.
Aluminum Deck Stairs
Aluminum stairs are durable, offer a range of custom options and do not rust. The stairs can face some levels of oxidization, though an annual clean keeps the stairs looking new. Aluminum stairs are commonly crafted in a stringer style and can be made with non-slip surfaces. Vinyl and PVC covers can also be applied to aluminum stairs to better suit the look of the deck system and home exterior. The stairs also do not retain heat, meaning they will never be painful to walk on during hot days.
PVC Deck Stairs
Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC is made in rigid and flexible forms. Rigid PVC is better for construction and piping, while softer PVC is better for signage, wraps and more. Soft stair wrap PVC is made more flexible by adding more plasticizers to the initial formula. The soft PVC wraps are commonly applied to aluminum stars to improve the look of the staircase. Similar to aluminum PVS do not retain heat, ensuring a comfortable staircase in even the hottest summer days.
Vinyl Deck Stairs
Vinyl stairs are installed by applying durable vinyl wraps on to the exteriors of pressure treated or aluminum deck stairs. Vinyl covers can be crafted with a range of colours and textured finishes. Vinyl stairs can even utilises wood-like grain finishes to match a wood deck or the wooden staircase. Vinyl is ideal for reducing the worry of splinters from wooden stairs and requires very minimal maintenance over the years the material can last.
