On Aug 11, 2:57*am, wrote:
On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:56:06 -0700 (PDT), stratford1

wrote:
I'm building a set of stairs on my deck and CANNOT seem to find a
straight answer on this. I'm using closed outside stringers spaced 36"
and will use metal tread brackets to attach two 2x6 treads for each
stair. Some info I've found says I DO need a third stringer in the
middle for support...others have suggested I DO NOT need a third
stringer as long as my span isnt longer than 36". *Any suggestions on
this? Will my 2x6s hold up ok or should I do the third stringer
regardless to make my stairs stronger?

My porch steps are almost 48" wide and I only have 2 stringers.
However my steps are one solid 2x12, not two 2x6's. *Of course I only
have 2 steps because the porch is only about 2 feet high.

36" is narrower, but you're using 2x6 which is much weaker. *I doubt
they will break from normal use, but if your friends are 300lbs (or
more), or you intend to move appliances on them, I'd add the middle
stringer. *Or just add one anyhow because you'll have stronger steps.
The cost is not that much more unless your steps are going up 15 feet
or so.


A 2X6 maximum span is 24" , so you definately need a 3rd stringer.
I have 3 stringers on my deck stairs and the treads are 5 feet wide.