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Building wooden steps for mobile homes is a simple process that requires some basic carpentry skills. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Measure the height from the ground to the entrance of the mobile home.
2. Determine the number of steps needed based on the height. Each step should have a rise of around 6 to 8 inches.
3. Cut the stringers, which are the diagonal supports for the steps, from pressure-treated lumber. The number of stringers depends on the width of the steps.
4. Attach the stringers to the concrete pad or ground using concrete anchors or screws.
5. Cut the treads, which are the horizontal boards for stepping on, from pressure-treated lumber.
6. Attach the treads to the stringers using nails or screws, ensuring they are evenly spaced and level.
7. Paint or seal the wooden steps to protect them from the elements.
By following these steps, you can easily build wooden steps for your mobile home.
Mobile homes provide a wonderful opportunity to relax and unwind. Once you have your mobile home or RV, there are various modifications you can make to enhance its comfort. One such modification is building wooden steps to facilitate easier access.
Understanding Wood Mobile Home Steps
Typically, mobile home steps are part of a larger porch but can also lead to a small platform or the front door itself. Sometimes, mobile homeowners need to construct temporary stairs to safely access their home while saving up for a porch extension.
Important Terminology for Mobile Home Stairs
Prior to embarking on the task of building stairs, it is crucial to understand some key terms. The first term is rise-and-run, which refers to the size of each step. The rise represents the vertical height between each step, while the run represents the horizontal space for the foot. The part of the stair that you step on is called the tread, and the stair frame is known as the stringer.
The slope refers to the diagonal aspect of the stairs – the steeper the slope, the higher the climb. The nose is the section of the stair that extends beyond the rise. A mobile home step railing is called a banister.
Steps to Build Mobile Home Stairs
Constructing mobile home steps or wooden RV steps is a relatively simple task, and using wood is the most cost-effective material for the job.
Begin by taking measurements for your steps. Measure the rise and then determine the slope (around 30 degrees is recommended). With these measurements, you can determine the number of steps and the length of the run.
Divide the total height of the stair space by the maximum recommended rise height of 7 inches. This will give you the number of rises and runs required. It is also advisable to construct a stair landing to prevent the stairs from sinking into the ground. Typically, a wooden frame filled with gravel serves as the stair landing.
Next, cut the stringers for the frame. You will need two stringers, but more can be used if desired. Use a framing square to align with the riser height and tread width, and then trace each step onto the lumber.
Proceed to cut out the stringers, pausing the saw and using a cut-out saw to complete each cut. Create a notch at the bottom of both stringers.
If you are constructing the stairs yourself, you will also need to cut out the rises and runs at this stage.
Attach the stringers to the mobile home or RV using nails or brackets. Nail the steps onto the stringers, and apply wood glue to secure the joints. Finally, install the banister using nails and wood glue.
Once the steps are constructed, it is advisable to contact the building department for a safety inspection.
