Backyard clubhouses come in all shapes and sizes. Some are designed for princesses and others for wilderness explorers. If a clubhouse is raised a few feet above the ground, it requires an extra feature---steps. At only three or four feet off the ground, the clubhouse is still a little short for a ladder and steps are much easier for younger children to navigate. The most difficult part of building clubhouse steps is figuring out the exact rise and run.
Instructions
1. Calculate the rise and run of the steps. Measure from ground level to the top of the clubhouse deck. For this example, that height will be three feet or 36 inches. Divide that number by seven (height of the risers) and you get 5.14, which is rounded down to five, which equals five steps. Multiply that number by 10.5 (tread), which equals 52.5. So the steps have a rise of 36 inches and a run of 52.5 inches. The exact height of each step is the rise (36) divided by the number of steps (5), which is 7.2 inches.
2. Mark the measurements on your framing square. On the long arm, wrap masking tape around the framing square at the 10.5-inch mark. Do the same on the short arm at the 7.2-inch mark.
3. Lay the framing square on the 2-inch by 12-inch by 10-foot boards, so that both taped markers line up with the edge of the board (start at the right end). Trace along the outer edge of the square. Slide the square to the left, and line it up so the long arm is flush with the end of the short arm's previous position. Trace the outer edge of the square. Repeat this process until you have marked all of your steps. Return to the right end and mark a 5.7-inch riser---the first riser should be 1.5 inches shorter than the rest.
4. Cut out the template on the stringer (2-inch by 12-inch board) with a circular saw. Lay the stringer onto the other 2-inch by 12-inch boards and trace the angled edge onto each one. Cut out the remaining stringers.
5. Measure and cut the 8-foot long 2-inch by 4-inch board to your desired width for the steps. Secure it to the bottom of the three stringers (two ends and center support) with deck screws.
6. Cut the one-half-inch plywood to the same width as the steps. Nail it to the top end of the stringers, from behind. This will make it easier to attach the steps to the clubhouse.
7. Position the stringers against the clubhouse. Use the level to check that the risers and stringers are plumb. Secure them to the clubhouse by nailing through the plywood into the deck.
8. Cut the 2-inch by 6-inch boards to length, for the treads. Starting at the bottom step, position the treads onto the stringers, and secure them with deck screws. Each tread will use two boards lying side by side.
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