9 Staircase Design Ideas For Your Outdoor Space | urdesignmag (2024)

A staircase is one of the highlights of your property’s exterior. However, this design element is usually taken for granted. When choosing a staircase design, remember that a staircase must be safe to use in residential, industrial, and commercial properties. Building inspectors and reputable contractors follow code regulations that set rules on how deck stairs should be constructed. It is for safety purposes.

Aside from a safe staircase design, look at the following staircase design ideas for a more beautiful outdoor space. And if you are looking where to buy outdoor hot tub, you can contact our partners.

If you want a modern-looking staircase, choose prefabricated exterior metal stairs. These stairs are code-compliant and designed to meet your specifications. Prefabricated exterior metal stairs made of high-quality steel are durable with galvanized finish for your modern property. Other materials in constructing outdoor metal stairs include carbon steel and aluminum.

When choosing prefabricated exterior metal stairs, you need to keep OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and IBC (International Building Code) standards in mind for safety. It’s best to find a staircase supplier that prefabricate stairs using state-of-the-art equipment and perform quality inspections to ensure accuracy.

There are various types of metal stairs, such as the following:

  • Alternating Tread Stairs: This type of metal stair is suitable for limited spaces.
  • Bolted Access Stairs: These standard stairs come with an erection bolt design without welding required during assembly.
  • Crossover Stairs: These platforms come in standard stairs and alternating tread stairs.
  • Loading Dock Stairs: These stairs are easy to install and pre-fabricated.
  • Commercial Steel Stairs: These stairs have egress stair systems.

2. Versatile Concrete Stair Design

One of the most stable construction materials is concrete. Hence, concrete stairs are suitable for hot and cold climates. Concrete stairs match an outdoor space with a modern pool and a stone patio, giving an edge of elegance to any property. But what makes concrete stairs favorable for outdoor use?

Concrete stairs for your outdoor area brings the following advantages:

  • Safety: This material doesn’t release any toxic fumes and it doesn’t decompose.
  • Durability: Concrete stairs require little maintenance and last a lifetime.
  • Ease Of Design: Concrete stairs can be customized according to your desired size, shape, and texture. Many designers prefer concrete for the outdoors because you can do anything to it such as painting, applying tiles, and staining. Designers incorporate the environment to concrete staircase designs for landscaping concept.
  • Ease Of Installation: Choose precast than poured-in concrete stairs for easier installation. In this way, you don’t have to worry about construction delays because precast concrete stairs can be used immediately.

9 Staircase Design Ideas For Your Outdoor Space | urdesignmag (1)

If you want to benefit from the qualities of both metal and concrete, you can combine the two materials. Choose concrete for the steps and metal for the railings. This staircase design matches a gravel landscape perfectly, along with a fire pit and soft lighting for a simple yet edgy modern look.

Do you want everything modern and beautiful? A modern yet exquisite home can embrace concrete staircase, metal railings, and concrete cement patio.

4. Elegant Solid Wood Staircase Design

Are you looking for an elegant staircase design? A solid wood staircase is your best bet. It’s classic and very durable.

Check the following staircase wood materials:

  • Pine: Pine trees are popular tree varieties, encompassing several different species. Yellow pine is durable because it’s incredibly dense. It’s a popular lumber for building homes, including staircases because it can withstand temperature changes, harsh climates, glue, staining, cutting, and woodworking tools.
  • White Oak: This solid wood material is used for wood floors and stairs that work well with machine and hand tools. White oak is a versatile material that makes a great base for building stair treads.
  • Others: If you’re planning to install an outdoor wood staircase, you can use a rot-resistant wood that can withstand moisture and heat. Other wood materials include cedar, teak, and fir.

5. Glass Staircase

Do you like the idea of a modern glasshouse or commercial establishment? You can choose a glass staircase with stainless steel or iron painted railing. A glass staircase with concrete steps is the best for outdoor use. It’s better to keep glass step stairs design ideas indoors.

6. Spiral Stairs

Are you looking for a stair design that’s different from others? Spiral stairs have many benefits to your space and exterior style. They have a small footprint, making them easy to fit into any design.

Spiral stairs are perfect for climbing from the first floor to the second-floor deck or patio. You can maximize the square footage of your deck or patio. Spiral stairs come in metal or wood that can match any range of budgets.

9 Staircase Design Ideas For Your Outdoor Space | urdesignmag (2)

Make your outdoor staircase more functional by constructing a hidden storage underneath. You can use the space to store firewood, sports equipment, and garden supplies. The designs are endless depending on your preference such as adding a small door to keep items inside safe.

8. Mobility-friendly Staircase

Do you want your property to be accessible even to disabled people? A mobility-friendly staircase is ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act), equipped with a stair lift. It is a motorized chair that’s battery-powered. Stair lifts glide up and down an indoor or outdoor staircase on a metal rail mounted to the treads.

9. Stone Or Brick Staircase

A stone or brick staircase is recommended for those who want to have an outdoor stair structure that complement the natural landscape. You can implement this staircase design for your country style or rustic themed property.

Stones and bricks are naturally weather resistant, elegant, and low maintenance. They never rot, splinter, or need refinishing like wood. Stone is resistant to water absorption and cracking. Brick masonry is weather and fire resistant than stone masonry.

Both stone and brick materials are durable. While stone is more durable than brick, the latter is less expensive. Both materials can withstand the hot sun, strong winds, and subfreezing temperatures.

Conclusion

These staircase design ideas are pleasing to the eyes. But of course, more than the aesthetics, you want to choose a design that reflects your personality and fashion style. The durability, material, convenience, and safety are just some of the important considerations when choosing the best staircase design for your property.

9 Staircase Design Ideas For Your Outdoor Space | urdesignmag (2024)

FAQs

What type of outdoor stairs are best? ›

Concrete is a popular choice for outdoor stairs because of its robust qualities that withstand environmental elements. The same is true of metal, as both materials contribute to a more modern industrial appearance. Wood has a warmer presentation, while glass has more aesthetic value.

How to design outdoor steps? ›

For outdoor steps, each tread should be a minimum of 28cm and risers should be no more than 17cm. Be aware this is different to indoor steps and staircases, which often get confused!

What is the 27 rule for stairs? ›

At and below the handrail height, the required width of the stairway, including treads and landings, is only 27 inches (686 mm) if handrails are installed on each side, and only 31-1/2 inches (800 mm) if there is only one handrail installed.

What is the formula for outdoor steps? ›

I'll talk about patios and pathways a little later. You may not know it, but there is a specific formula for designing a staircase, which is 2R + T = 24” – 27”, where R = rise and T = tread.

What is the most efficient stair layout? ›

Spiral Staircase: A spiral staircase is a compact and space-saving layout that consists of a central pole and steps that wind around it in a spiral. This layout is ideal for homes that have limited space and want to create a unique and visually interesting design.

What is the cheapest style of stairs? ›

What are the cheapest stairs to build? Straight staircases have the most basic and straightforward design, involving a linear structure without curves or angles. Their simplicity reduces material and labor costs. You can also save on the cost of railings for stairs by choosing a simple design.

Which staircase is best for an outside house? ›

Stone: Natural stone is a timeless option that adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. From granite to limestone, stone stairs offer both durability and aesthetic appeal.

What are the standard outdoor steps? ›

By: Garden Gate staff

In general, the smaller the rise, the bigger the tread. You can choose what's comfortable for you but generally outdoor steps have a rise of 5 ½ to 7 inches and a tread of 12 to 18 inches.

Should outdoor steps have an overhang? ›

For optimal comfort and safety, it is recommended that the overhang distance be between 1 and 1 1/4 inches. This allows for enough space for your foot to comfortably rest on the tread, while also providing enough support to prevent slips and falls.

What is the golden rule for stairs? ›

Ratio between height (rise r) to width (tread t) of the step. This follows the golden rule which is: 2 x r + t = 63 cm. i.e.: 2 times the rise plus the tread equals 63 cm with a maximum variation of ± 1 cm.

What is the 7-Eleven rule for stairs? ›

For both the IBC and the ADA, the 7/11 rule applies: riser height is a maximum of 7 inches and minimum of 4 inches and tread depth is a minimum of 11 inches. When you're walking either up or down stairs, you don't want to have to think about each step, you want to walk with a cadence.

How to calculate outdoor stairs? ›

Treads are typically 11 1/2 - 12″. The total rise is the distance between the lower floor (or bottom of stairs), and the top of the upper floor. To calculate how many steps you need divide that distance by the rise of each step. In the US the building codes typically call for a rise/step of 7–7.5″.

What depth should outside steps be? ›

You will not often have handrails or walls for support with steps outside. This is why it is so important that the steps are low in height with a tread of around 30cm in depth. These riser and tread measurements are important because there is no support. Your outdoor steps need to be easy to go up and down.

How high should outdoor stair risers be? ›

Exterior stair riser code

Exterior stair risers must comply with IBC section 1011.5 stair treads and risers. Stair risers height shall be 7 inches maximum and 4 inches minimum.

What is the best material to use for outside steps? ›

The Premier Material for Outdoor Stairs
  • Stone: Aesthetic and durable.
  • Concrete: Low maintenance, highly durable.
  • Wood: Natural look, requires treatment.
  • Composite: Durable, minimal upkeep.
  • Metal: Modern, weather-resistant.

Is concrete or wood better for outdoor stairs? ›

Unlike wood, which is prone to warping, rotting, and decay over time, concrete steps remain steadfast and resilient. With high foot traffic and exposure to extreme weather conditions being the norm, our concrete steps remain resilient, maintaining their appearance and functionality for years to come.

What is the best surface for outdoor steps? ›

Look for treads made from durable, weather-resistant materials such as rubber or outdoor-grade carpet. These materials are designed to withstand the elements and maintain their quality over time, ensuring that your stair treads remain in good condition.

What is the most durable material for stairs? ›

Tile Treads

Tile stair treads can be a beautiful and durable alternative to wood. They have the advantage of not needing oiling or ongoing maintenance since they won't decay or attract insects.

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