Impress Visitors With Luxe Two Story Deck Staircases
A gorgeous set of stairs leading to an upper level deck makes a striking statement. Luxurious multi-story deck staircases invite your eye upwards while creating an impression of spacious grandeur. When planned right, they also provide safe access to elevated entertaining spaces. From stunning wood treads to modern metal cables, several design factors influence these mini-architectural pieces. Read on to discover how to achieve impressive two story deck stairs that wow visitors.
Determine Overall Height and Layout
Before selecting specific materials, first map out the height and path visitors will take. Consider if you want straight stairs or prefer including a landing for turning. Also, account for total rise regulations based on your ceiling clearance. Thinking through these structural considerations first allows you to focus on aesthetics later.
Calculate Total Stair Rise
Local building codes dictate the maximum height second story deck stairs can rise without an intermediate landing to break them up. For example, some areas permit a total run of only 12 feet tall. Measure from your decking down to the ground to find the height. Then plan enough landings and stair sections to stay within legal rise limits.
Don't forget to measure basement ceiling height if your stairs end below. Allow adequate head clearance for anyone descending the entire staircase without crouching. Safety trumps even the most beautiful staircase, so integrate landings where needed.
Layout Options
Once you know the total rise, map out stair and landing shapes. While straight stairs work well within a narrow area, turning designs make a statement. Just ensure integrated landings meet size regulations if you change direction. Square footage requirements generally start around 36 inches deep and 36 inches wide.
Strategically place landings to not only meet codes but also highlight impressive views. Extend towards vistas spanning your property for guests to enjoy while paused on a landing. Just be conscious of avoiding overly complicated routes which seem disjointed.
Incorporate Architectural Interest
Rethink the assumption that outdoor stairs must follow a basic square shape. Bring compelling curves, angles and materials together to treat your staircase as a contemporary sculpture. Popular options like spiral stairs introduce intrigue through their continuously winding path.
Balancing aesthetics and function means ensuring artistic stairs meet code. Consult experts to validate riser height and tread depth never deviate on uniquely shaped designs. Sticking to dimensional uniformity prevents tripping hazards. Prepare to make a statement with architecture-forward stairs unlike any neighbor's ordinary set!
Select Deck Stair Materials
Traditional decking materials like pressure-treated pine or cedar translate well to stairs. Yet more durable and elegant options exist to elevate your staircase's style. Weather-resistant tropical hardwoods make a refined statement, especially when accented with metal or glass railings and trim.
Wood Choices
Exotic hardwoods like ipe and tigerwood provide incredible density capable of handling decades of foot traffic. Their rich brown tones beautifully complement stone and brick homes. Always apply protective outdoor wood sealant twice a year though, even on woods touted as "maintenance free.
Domestic pressure-treated lumber offers a more affordable choice. Opt for select pine boards with fewer knots for a cleaner look. Redwood's subtle red hue also suits mountain homes well. With all wood, inspect quality and moisture content before installation to prevent early warping or cracking.
Metal and Glass Accents
Integrating cable railings, stainless steel framing, and glass infills lends modern appeal. Mixing materials prevents a flat, boring look. For example, pair metal cables or black steel outlines arcing across glass panels with wide ipe wood treads.
Glass infill panels also provide visibility to not obstruct views. Yet avoid completely clear stairs without a surface pattern for safety. Etched designs, sandblasted textures or metallic films help define tread edges to prevent slipping when wet.
Discussion of Other Materials
Tile, stone, concrete and metal each have pros and cons for deck stairs. Slate stone presents a grand, elegant impression but requires greater expertise to install properly. Tile offers countless colors and patterns to match a home's style but needs sealing to prevent cracking and water damage.
Poured concrete allows immense flexibility in shapes but lacks warmth. Prefabricated metal steps also skip the weathering concerns of wood, though some find exposed metal cold looking. Weigh options against your priorities for function and style.
Ensure Safety and Structural Integrity
Designing stairs not just for admiration means integrating safety from the start. Specify slip-resistant treads, proper step dimensions, ample lighting and structurally reinforced frameworks.
Uniform Riser Height and Tread Depth
Stringently follow building codes for optimal step sizing. Keep riser height and tread depth consistent top to bottom to prevent falls. As an example, stairs may mandate a 7.75 inch maximum riser height and 10 inch minimum tread.
Even .25 inch deviations on a step can trip guests. Extended stair runs make evenly spaced steps essential. Consider working with a professional stair builder familiar with standards instead of tackling measurements alone.
Study Stringer, Baluster and Railing Options
The complete stair framework from stringers containing the heavy structural supports to balusters spacing apart deck railings deserves attention. Handrails themselves may be simple square wood, woven cable or sleek round metal for grabbing onto.
Use closely spaced balusters for guest safety, particularly on elevated deck stairs. Local codes often require gaps less than 4 inches wide. This prevents children from attempting to climb and adults potentially falling through.
Grip Tape, Lighting and Visibility Considerations
Unfortunately, outdoor stairs often grow slippery when wet or accumulate snow and leaves hiding edges. Homeowners trying to impress visitors want to reduce chances of embarrassing slips!
Consider installing glow-in-the-dark grip tape along the side of each step or low-voltage lighting recessed into risers. Illuminating landings and staircases sets a refined ambient tone while preventing missteps in the dark.
Unique Second Story Deck Stair Designs
Tying a stairway's beauty into the full deck landscape caps off an irresistible extension of your home's living space. Steer beyond basic construction into thoughtfully designed stairs worth showing off.
Create a Statement Entrance
Grand multi-story staircases sweeping up from the front walkway create curb appeal. Place the lower entry nearest the driveway for visitors to admire immediately. Built-in benches on wide landings give guests a welcoming place to sit upon arrival.
Frame the staircase view through strategic sightlines from within too. Open floorplans viewing glass railed stairs keep attention focused outwards. Allow visitors to appreciate stair engineering from every perfect angle!
Over-the-Top Luxury Concepts
Truly showcase next-level style with curved floating staircases eliciting double takes. Suspending minimalistic metal and glass above the floor makes steps appear to magically disappear. Combining stunning shapes with cantilevered designs presents a contemporary art sculpture.
Or announce cosmopolitan intentions through an infinity staircase. Extended landings seem to fade into the horizon, borrowed from leading-edge architectural runways. Just ensure integrated LED lights meet local electrical codes for impressive displays without safety issues.
Tips to Separate Your Staircases
For homes with both covered and uncovered sections upstairs, designing two distinct stair sets prevents drab repetition. Assign deck stairs their own flair blending weatherproof woods and steel while using plush carpeting on interior staircases.
Unifying each level's style through coordinating colors and finishes still visually connects them. Yet material variations keep things interesting. Guests will appreciate attention given to small detail touches setting one staircase apart from the other.
Well-designed second story deck stairs deserve recognition for elegantly solving the challenge of bridging two floors. When you incorporate stunning materials, safety features, and a cohesive layout, they elevate exterior spaces into irresistible entertainment extensions full of character. Speak to a professional stair builder or contractor to discuss how impressive multi-story railings and walkways might integrate into upcoming deck plans for your home today.