How to Build Outdoor Wood Steps

We’re sharing how to build outdoor wood steps with pressure treated lumber. Wooden steps that would be perfect for your front porch or patio.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already August and summer will be winding down in another month! How does time go by this fast?!! (Although when I’m listening to my boys fighting with each other, I’m like why is it taking so long for school to start again! Ha!). I have a few more patio projects that I need to share before summer winds down; although I’m thinking we’ll be getting just as much use of it in September & October because it will actually be cool enough to want to be outside!

One of the things we’ve gotten comments and questions on are the steps we have on the patio…so I thought we’d share how we made our outdoor wood steps. The original steps we had coming out of the back door were pretty small, only the width of the door frame (you can see them in the before picture on the patio reveal post). And I knew from years of going in and out on those that I wanted something a little wider and deeper so it would be easier getting in and out. And I needed room for some plants of course! 😉

I gave Mike the basic design of what I was looking for, and he whipped up these steps! Our steps are actually made from some reclaimed lumber that he had left over from a project, but the directions are written up for lumber you buy at the store since we figured most people wouldn’t be working with old lumber (we just had more measuring and cutting to do).

These steps are not connected to the house or patio at all. They’re really heavy and the weight of the steps is enough to keep them in place. (I did want to share a couple photos of the steps away from the side of the house so you can see how they look, but it started down pouring, so I’ll have to try to add that later!).

Our steps do not have a finish on them right now. And just a note for those that are wanting to add a finish to your steps: with pressure treated lumber, you’ll need to let it dry out for a while. Anywhere from a few weeks to months depending on weather and condition of the lumber.

Materials for Outdoor Wood Steps:

– pressure treated lumber:

two – 2x8x8
two – 2x6x12
two – 2x6x8
one – 2x4x8

– table saw
– sliding compound mitre saw or circular saw
– drill
– 2-1/2” decking screws

Directions:

Using a table saw, cut the two 2×8 boards down to 7” wide.

Using a sliding compound mitre saw with the blade set at a 45 degree angle to the table, or a circular saw set at a 45 degree angle, cut one end of one of the 2×8 boards.

Measure from the point of the angle you just cut 67” and draw a square line across the board. Cut a 45 degree angle, the point of the angle should be at the line.

Measure 24” from the point of the angle on the cut off piece that is left over and setting your saw back at zero degrees cut the board at this point.

Cut a 45 degree angle on the end of the other 2×8 board. Measure 45” from the post of the angle and draw a square line; cut a 45 degree angle with the point at this line.

Using the cut off piece, cut a 45 degree angle on the square end. Measure 24” from the point of this angle and cut off setting your saw at zero degrees.

On the piece that is left over, cut a 45 degree cut on the square end; measure in from the points on each end of the board 12-3/4” and cut off square with the saw set at zero degrees.

Cut two 22-1/2’” pieces out of the 2×4 board and then cut two 11” pieces out of what is left over.

Using the 2-1/2” screws attach the 22-1/2” pieces of 2×4 to the two 24” pieces of 2×8 keeping the square ends flush and keeping it down 1-1/2” from the top of the 2×8.

Using the 2-1/2” screws attach the 11” pieces of 2×4 to the two 12-3/4” pieces of 2×8 keeping the square ends flush and keeping it down 1-1/2” from the top of the 2×8.

Cut two 22-1/2” pieces out of the 2x6x8 board; cut a 11” piece out of what is left over.

Attach the two 22-1/2” pieces using 2-1/2” screws perpendicular to the back side of the 67” board coming in 22” from each end of the board for a center line to attach the boards; keep the bottoms of the boards flush.

Attach the 11” piece using 2-1/2” screws perpendicular to the back side of the 45” board coming in, centering it on the back of the board; keep the bottoms of the boards flush.

Using screws attach the 11” piece with the 45 degree angle to the 45” piece with the angles on the end.

Attach the 22-1/2” pieces to the 67” piece.

Cut four 64” pieces out of two of the 2x6x12’s.

Cut two 42” pieces out of the remaining 2x6x8.

Attach the four 64” pieces to the 67” frame screwing them into the 2×4’s on the ends and the 2×6’s in the middle.

Attach the 42” pieces to the 45” frame in the same way.

Set the 67” step up on its back edge and place the 45” step on its back edge and in position against the large step. Center the step and attach with screws from the bottom of the large step into the perimeter of the small step.

Set steps right side up and set in place.

(If you’re wanting to add finish to the steps, you will need to let the wood dry out – anywhere from a few weeks to months depending on weather and condition of the lumber).

For more patio inspiration check out the Patio Reveal and the Patio Chair Makeover!

-Manda