Picture a stair slope in your mind to estimate about a 40-degree slope and guess at a landing point. Rest any straight piece of deck lumber on the deck and level it over to the landing point. Measure ...

DEAR TIM: I read your recent column about building stairs for a deck. I can handle that, but I’m worried about how to make all the complex cuts required for the deck stair railing. Can you give me a ...

We all know the ups and downs of our homes by heart. But approach an unfamiliar set of steps and most people look down to check the first footfall. After that, reflexes take over, and our expectation ...

Q: I’d like a new deck. Should I DIY it or hire a professional? A: With the increasing focus on expanded outdoor living spaces, it’s no wonder that interest in deck-building is also on the rise. At ...

Amateur carpenters who have laid out the cuts in a stair stringer (the zig-zag structural support for the steps) know the queasy feeling that bubbles up at the prospect of this job. There’s the simple ...

I read your recent column about building stairs for a deck. I can handle that, but I’m worried about how to make all the complex cuts required for the deck stair railing. Can you give me a few ...

Dear James: My old wood deck is deteriorating and the stairs could be hazardous. What is the easiest way to install new ones for an inexperienced DIY-er? Dear Shantell: You are correct to worry about ...