Hexagon Wrap Around Deck Stairs

by Scott
(NJ)

I am installing new deck over an existing frame. the shape of the deck is a hexagon.

The client wants steps of of three sides of the deck. What should the layout of the stringers on the corners be?

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Feb 17, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tough One
by: Anonymous

Wow!!! I have to rate this a five star question.

If you are a beginner I would not recommend this to anyone. the above explanation is pretty consistent with what I would say.

If this is your first time: GOOD LUCK!!
Jun 28, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Building Hexagon Deck Stairs
by: Editor - Rich Bergman

Great question. Building hexagan deck stairs is challenging and requires going back to high school geometry class and a few tricks of the trade.

Let me try my best to explain. You are going to have compound angles and so this will make the average head hurt a bit.

Consider it like building three separate sets of stairs all of which have identical rise and run. The landing for each must be level or it will create complications.

Each of the sections is a pie. The points are 45 degrees and the corners of the isoceles triangles are identical at 67.5 degrees. Each of the three angled stringers will protrude from the center of the hexagon at 112.5 degrees relative to the rim joist of each section.

Calculate the run based on your tread size. Measure the rise at the landing where the last tread will end and from the middle of each side of the hexagon, not at the corners. See if the rise is the same. If not make sure it is by leveling the grade.

There will be four stringers protruding from each of the corners at 112.5 degrees from the rim joists. The two inside stringers will be cut out stringers. The throat must be at least 4" so use at least 2x10. You will also need intermediate stringers to keep the treads from bouncing.

The two outside stringers will be solid, not cut outs for treads.

Build one section first as if it was 90 degrees from the rim joist, ignore the corner stringer. It has to be custom cut. Cut as many stringers as you need for this one section and connect them to the rim joist and set them on the landing.

If the landing is level all around, cut the stringers for the other sections and attach them also. In theory all the tread cuts in the stringers should be level.

Now layout your tread material on each of the stringers of the different sections to see where they connect. You can cut the ends of the mating treads at 67.5 degrees and dry fit them together.

Do this for one of the corners where the two stairs sections meet.

Now is the tricky part where you have to determine the rise and run at the corner of the two sections by looking at it from underneath. Fun!

Measure the width of the tread at the mating angle. This is your run. The rise should remain the same.

Now you can trace out and cut your angled stringer. It should fit perfect if the grade is level.

Use at least 2x10 for all stringers. Also, build an extension to the rim joist around the stairs so the cut out stringers have something solid to secure to as they will be underneath the treads.

This is a complicated thing to explain in such a short response but I hope it helps you out.

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