DIY Network

Move It Outside, Pt. 5: Spiral Staircase and Fire Pit Jay Baker and the Move It Outside crew finish up the backyard transformation with the installation of an outdoor spiral staircase and fire pit. From "Move It Outside" episode DMIO-105

(Continued from page 3)

Project 2: Spiral Staircase

The final project in the Move It Outside makeover is the installation of an exterior spiral staircase, making it possible to go between the upper and lower exterior decks without having to go inside the house.

Before

After

advertisement

	Before
	After

Materials and tools:

Spiral staircase kit (our kit came from The Iron Shop)
5/16" x 1-1/2" lag bolts (4) *
2" x 5/16" lag bolts (4) *
2" x 1/4" lag bolts (2) *
1 1/2" x 5/16" lag bolts (2) *
hex head bolts (26) *
lock washers (26) *
nuts (26) *
pole *
risers *
base plate *
upper landing *
spindle rails *
guard rail *
handrail *
masking tape (optional)
# 10 x 3/4" pan head sheet metal screws
end caps *
drive pins *
3/4" plastic caps *
self tapping screws (2) *
center pole cap *
1/4" i.d. plastic thread protectors *
pre-poured concrete pad
plastic or fiber plugs

*item included in the spiral staircase kit.

Figure A

Tools:

plumb line
level
pencil

• Start by placing a pre-poured concrete slab where the base of the stairs will be (figure A). (This will not be necessary in all cases. For instance, if the stairs are installed inside.)
  

• Since our spiral staircase is coming off of the existing deck, we need to build a wooden template of the metal upper deck platform. Since the center support pole will be on the edge of the pad, we have to determine where it will land at the bottom. A plumb line insures us an accurate calculation of where the pole's base plate will go (figure B).

• We had to remove some of the railing around the porch to make access to the staircase (figure C). (This will not be necessary in all cases.) Use a drill and a hammer to remove the spindles of the railing, but leave the handrails for support.

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

  Figure D

• Once the plumb line has determined where the base plate will go, trace a circle around the base plate on the concrete slab. Also be sure to mark where the holes for the lag bolts will be.

• Drill pilot holes into the concrete where the lag bolts will go (figure D).

• Insert plastic anchors into the holes and ratchet the lag bolts into place, securing the base plate.

• Slide the pole into place on the base plate. The pole may need to be hammered into place to ensure that it is securely attached to the base plate.
  
  
  

  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

  
  
  

  RELATED PROJECTS: Move It Outside Pt. 1: Outdoor Kitchen Move It Outside Pt. 2: Outdoor Fireplace and Lights Move It Outside Pt. 3: Outdoor Shower and Propane Lanterns Move It Outside Pt. 4: Hot Tub and Deck Move It Outside, Pt. 5: Spiral Staircase, WEB-EXTRA Information Fire-Pit: Measurement, Quarry Trip Fire-Pit: Prep Work Fire-Pit: Setting Stone Fire-Pit: Setting Capstones Spiral Staircase Access Hole Spiral Staircase Installation Spiral Staircase: Removing the Existing Staircase Spiral Staircase: Assembling the Staircase Spiral Staircase: Adding the Handrail and Treads

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Move It Outside, Pt. 5: Spiral Staircase and Fire Pit
  	Move It Outside, Pt. 5: Spiral Staircase, WEB-EXTRA Information