DEAR TIM: I asked a contractor to build a set of porch steps using name-brand materials. He made a mess of it and when you step off the last step you trip on a sloped piece of concrete he added. I ...

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 ...

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 ...

Building a staircase is a job for a master carpenter, but an experienced do-it-yourselfer can usually construct a simple set of stairs for a back-yard deck. Cutting the pieces and assembling them are ...

We’ve got the frame, the boards, and the weatherproofing—now it’s time to finish strong! In Part 4 of Building an EPIC Deck, we tackle one of the most important (and satisfying) parts of the project: ...

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? — Shantell K. Dear Shantell: You are correct ...

Q. I asked a contractor to build a set of porch steps using name-brand materials. He made a mess of it and when you step off the last step you trip on a sloped piece of concrete he added. I know you ...