Building a Large Composite Staircase and How to layout a Stair Stringer

Shows how to layout and build a large composite (Trex Transcend) staircase. you can also use PVC decking, treated. ect.
This video will show the Correct way to build a large staircase and aluminum railings
I made this video because I did not agree with any other video on "How to build stairs"

[@JG-hs2vm]

Came from tiktok. Those are some sleek looking stairs brother. I think they got you at a steal for $61 sq. Ft. Labor cost. That is master craftsmanship.

[@JP-gz5pg]

Excellent! I will be using your advice for our next stair system. Thank you! Also, this is fantastic design and with an amazing video presentation. You sir, are a true craftsman with a heart for excellence.

[@LDSKIPPER1911]

As a DIYer, I’m not saying that my finished product will look as good as this, but I feel comfortable following this tutorial more so than the other composite step videos out there such as mitering the corner treads.

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

I also have tons more content on my Instagram, facebook, & tik tok.

[@mertz313]

I watched the video from beginning to end. Super informative and amazing job!

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

Thank You

[@kbarton1360]

Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. Everything looks beautiful! :)

[@zephyr1408]

You are avoiding accumulated error. You are right most carpenters do not show the patient to figure that. I use it for my lay out wainscoting also; I am a finish carpenter/ contractor. I don’t do decks I leave that up to the other pros like you.

[@denzel.ahquin]

Awesome work! Clean lines and detailed craftsmanship.

[@HeliFly1987]

Beautiful looking deck. Very structurally strong too

[@mikecouch5751]

Fantastic work and explanation!

[@motivationallydriven]

wow, that is some quality craftsmanship! Keep up the good work

[@diggingmystyle]

Beautiful!

[@conorduffy643]

Amazing tutorial!!

[@marciobento100]

I like you job , i’m a contractor to , your job very 👍clean

[@shawnjakan7431]

Great video and even more impressive work. Im trying to do my own and use the pervious deck post hole supports. But the deck builder before me was new to this as there are lots of shortcuts. I will have issue with the 36: wide spot for staircase and then I add the railing. The previous railing was on outside of staircase not robbing space. HUmm there is alot to this project. Thanks for the video. Im going to watch other videos of yours. I have severely cussed out previous builder. Im amazed its standing and even had a hot tub on top when we moved in. The stairs had no supports except the 2 brackets on top. 4 screws holding it up. Thanks again. I guess I could build stairs and let the stick out past deck face. i cant extend deck without creating quite a cantilever effect. Hope you enjoyed my comments. The ants are moving eggs now too. So I must of found a little ant spot in the old deck.. Haha

[@jcoats5529]

Well done. You're right about all the poor methods on KZbin

[@firewoodover6010]

Great job im liking the square corners no mitres they never look rite

[@605BOLT]

Cool video.

[@davidhamilton7628]

Beautiful work i just never have liked working trex

[@howtodoitdude1662]

I like how you wrapped the bottom 2x4 at the bottom platform, but how does water drain from behind the 2x4?

[@brentbeatty4171]

Thank you..... Spar urethane for the cedar?

[@scojamsar]

for the stair lights, you had a stringer in the middle of the staircase, did you drill into the front side of the stringer as well and run the wire out of it?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

Yes. That's correct. The lights went into the stringer about 1/2"

[@andyt9445]

How close to the edge of the deck and the staircase can the railing posts be attached? Do the lag screws penetrate the rim joist or beam or stringer or they strictly have to go into the blocking underneath? I am building a free standing deck, so there are two ply beams as framing edges on two sides. I am wondering how far in I have to go. This video is really great. Very precise work. I really like the level of detail.

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

I'm not sure if there is a Minimum distance away or not. 2 of the lag screws went into the stair stringers and the other 2 went into the blocking. I like to set my posts so they are center on the border. 2" post can be centered on a 5-1/2" board. 3" posts can be centered on a 7-1/4" board.

[@anaarnao9205]

May you please put the links to the lights on the stairs. This deck is designed beautifully

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

Ftvled deck lights on Amazon. You will want to buy a 1-5/16" drill bit online also. Also you will probably need to buy some extensions. They have different lengths.

[@etzelc]

I'm looking to do a very similar railing build. I noticed you used the Trex Signature posts with a cocktail rail. Trex states to only use a PT 4x4 with post sleeves for the cocktail rail look. Did you have to do anything special to make the aluminum posts work?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

I wouldn't use treated 4x4 for the railing posts. I prefer aluminum posts.

[@supernatural3004]

Nice work. How did you attach the plastic legs to the bottom of the stringers?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

The PVC? I screwed it on before I set the stairs

[@brentbeatty4171]

Dual power Dewalt mitersaw

[@jeredmattson9]

your videos are great. such great detail. if i may ask, what do you do for the ends of your stair treads when you don’t picture frame them? do you paint them with color match or something? same with fascia board?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

We've done a lot of different things. Picture frame, round over, and painted

[@jeredmattson9]

@@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889 are these ones in the video painted

[@jeredmattson9]

@@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889 are these ones in the video painted

[@brandoneklund6411]

On your stair tread end cuts, do you paint the ends with a color matched paint or leave them as is?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

Yes, Paint Or Stain

[@TigersHockeyNetwork]

What type of pvc did you use on the bottom of the steps? I’m just wondering what to look for at HD or Menards.

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

Any kind of PVC will work. We install pvc decking also so I just use some scrap from that. I'm sure you could get some scrap decking or fascia from someone for free.

[@darkdegenerate8972]

You don’t like making the fascia higher to cover the deck board ends? We tend to do that, I like how your deck turned out tho very clean 👍🏼👍🏼

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

The fascia is not designed to be flush. if you go flush you will get water, dirt, leaves, ext. behind the fascia. causing rot. The reason I don't use a full fascia on the stairs is because we get a lot of snow and doing that would make it alot harder to clean snow off the stairs.

[@jcoats5529]

@@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889 it also would look completely dumb

[@lukesdoings7150]

My deck was built with the facia covering the deck board ends and that is the only place my deck is rotted out. now I am replacing rotted facia AND end joists. I would rather have the deck boards overlap and give a more protection. BTW may deck was build super cheap by the previous owner. I will be doing it better this time.

[@shawnjakan7431]

Great responses to people's comments. Fascia has to go under planks. Total water trap. I liked your comment about the snow on stairs. I luve in colorado and that would suck to shovel snow iff and then sweep it out of the corners. Great planning tip..

[@fkady9664]

Excellent work ,, the stairs was too long . I would've added a flat area in the middle of the stairs and then continue up . But very nice precise work ..

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

That's a horrible suggestion.

[@fkady9664]

@@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889 I was think about all ages looking up at that monster stairs from kids to orderly. Adding a litte square break in the middle not such a trouble idea. But it's more work for the installer..

[@pstank88]

How did you finish the ends of the Trex for the stairs?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

We applied stain to match the top.

[@jefflambert4243]

I watched the video numerous times and missed the length of the raw stock that you started with. Was it 18'?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

No I'm sure it was either 16' or 20'. I can't remember ever using 18'

[@jefflambert4243]

@@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889 Thanks. I asked because I don’t think a 16’ would work. 20’ would work for sure.

[@redwoodlivinginc781]

i noticed your deck beam is butted (spliced) in the middle of two support posts. Why did you do this? It should always be butted/spliced above a support post or after crossing the 2nd support post...

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

Hmmm,. I think you saw something else. I never splice beams. I use Glue-Lam or treated LVLs that go the entire length. I'm guessing you seen the Trex Fascia? That product only comes 12' long.

[@wencesvera2000]

If you don’t mind me asking. How much did you charge for labor for this project?

[@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889]

$61.00 Sq ft.

[@richardmckrell4899]

@@promesconstructionl.l.c.8889 So with an estimated 500 square feet, just a guess, that's $31,000 for labor plus say another $12,000 for material for an estimated total of $43,000 for labor and materials?

[@shawnjakan7431]

I also wanted to add you would have more viewers if it wasnt so hard to find your video. I found by accident first time and 2nd time i go there through another persons video.

[@richardmckrell4899]

Measuring all the hypotenuse's of the stairs and marking them is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. I don't think he understands what that framers square is for. Complete insanity. Ripping down the stringers to the same width is also ridiculous, the stringer widths are irrelevant. Next, the treads overhang code is a minimum of 3/4", 1/2" is not to code. If he used the 2r + t = 25 guide, his treads should be about 10.75" which is why he's trying to cheat and make the overhang less. You always start with the overhang tread at 3/4" (min) overhang and work back to the riser. If you have a bigger space from the tread to riser, that's fine. He also has a problem with the run length of the stairs. Code usually limits the max stair run to 147" before you need at intermediate platform. Towns might not enforce this but long stair runs are dangerous, especially on decks. If someone falls down those stairs, he might be liable. Fortunately, he can probably remove the treads and reinstall them but it's better to know what you're doing.