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Whether it’s for performing tricks or getting around the house, every dog deserves its own set of pet stairs. Though there are plenty of professional options out there, building your own set of stairs is a fun, simple task that will give your dog something unique to climb on.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Preparing the Wood Sides
Make a mark on the wood 6 in (15 cm) higher than the bottom front corner. Lay 1 of your side planks on a flat working table. Pick a corner to be the bottom front of the staircase and, with the aid of measuring tape or a ruler, make a pencil mark 6 in (15 cm) above the corner.[1]- 2Create a mark on the wood 8 in (20 cm) in front of the top rear corner. Find the corner located diagonally across from the bottom front corner. This will be the staircase’s top rear corner. Using a tape measure or ruler, create a pencil mark 8 in (20 cm) in front of the corner.[2]Advertisement
Draw a line between the 2 marks. Place a framing square or straight edge on top of the plank. Align the tool so that 1 of its edges rests on both marks. Hold the tool down with your hand, then trace along the edge with a pencil, creating a solid line.
Cut the marked line with a circular saw. Set your wood plank on a sturdy working table or sawhorse. Position the plank so the marked line is not on the table, then secure the plank with woodworking clamps. Set your circular saw on 1 side of the marked line, then turn on the device and slowly cut through the wood. When you’re finished, repeat the entire process with the other side plank.- While sawing, wear heavy duty working gloves and protective goggles for safety.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Installing the Tread Cleats
Set a vertical cleat .75 in (1.9 cm) from the front edge of the side plank. Place your plywood side plank on a flat working surface. Locate the bottom front corner and measure back for a distance of .75 in (1.9 cm). Apply wood glue to the widest side of horizontal tread cleat and place it so the front edge lines up with the measured distance.[3]
Place the remaining cleats by using the first as a guide. With your first cleat secured, the rest should fall into place naturally. Line up the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) end of a long horizontal tread cleat with the upper rear side of the first tread cleat, then hold it down with wood glue. Next, line up the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) bottom of a vertical tread cleat with the top rear side of the horizontal tread cleat and secure it with glue. Repeat this with another vertical and long horizontal tread cleat, creating a staircase pattern.[4]- To leave enough room for the horizontal risers, the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) top side of each vertical tread cleat should remain uncovered.
Finish the support structure with the short horizontal tread cleat. To finish your staircase support guides, place the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) end of the short horizontal tread cleat against the upper rear end of the final vertical tread cleat. Then, secure the plank with wood glue. When you’re finished, there should be a .75 in (1.9 cm) gap between the end of the short horizontal tread and the edge of the side plank.[5]
Nail your cleats to the board. Check that each cleat is level using a speed square. Then, secure each cleat to the board with 1 in (2.5 cm) finishing nails. Use 3 to 4 nails per cleat and space them out as evenly as possible. Then, repeat the entire installation process with the other side plank.Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Assembling the Stairs
Attach your vertical risers to the vertical cleats. Place wood glue on the front edge of the lowest vertical cleat, then press a vertical riser to it. Make sure the riser is level, then secure it by pressing 1.25 in (3.2 cm) finishing nails through the front of the riser into the cleat. Do the same for the other 2 vertical risers and cleats, then attach the opposite ends of the risers to the cleats on the other side plank.[6]
Fix your horizontal risers to the horizontal cleats. Squirt wood glue onto the bottom edge of a horizontal riser and the top edges of 2 parallel horizontal cleats. Press the riser onto the cleats, making sure the front edge is directly on top of the adjacent vertical riser. Then, secure the riser by pushing 1.25 in (3.2 cm) finishing nails through the front and top of the riser into the horizontal cleats. Repeat this with the remaining risers.[7]
Nail your support plank to the back of the staircase. Cover the back edges of your staircase with wood glue, then press your support plank to it. The plank should sit flush against the side planks and upper horizontal riser. Then, secure the support plank by nailing 1.25 in (3.2 cm) finishing nails through the plank into the rest of the staircase.Advertisement
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Tips
- This guide uses measurements designed for a set of dog stairs with 3 steps. To make a larger staircase, increase the measurements accordingly.Thanks
- Once you’ve assembled the core staircase, try painting it, staining it, adding wood trim to the sides, or decorating it however you wish.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Tape Measure or ruler
- Pencil
- Framing Square or straight edge
- Speed Square
- Drill
- Circular saw
- Wood glue
- Hammer or nail gun
- 1.25 in (3.2 cm) finishing nails
- 1 in (2.5 cm) finishing nails
Plywood
- (2) .5 in (1.3 cm) x 2 ft (61 cm) x 17.25 in (43.8 cm) side planks
- (3) 1 in (2.5 cm) x 1 ft (30 cm) x 5.5 in (14 cm) vertical risers
- (3) 1 in (2.5 cm) x 1 ft (30 cm) x 8 in (20 cm) horizontal risers
- (3) 1 in (2.5 cm) x 1.5 in (3.8 cm) x 5.5 in (14 cm) vertical tread cleats
- (2) 1 in (2.5 cm) x 1.5 in (3.8 cm) x 8 in (20 cm) long horizontal tread cleats
- (1) 1 in (2.5 cm) x 1.5 in (3.8 cm) x 5 in (13 cm) short horizontal tread cleat
- (1) 1 in (2.5 cm) x 25 in (64 cm) x 17.25 in (43.8 cm) support plank
References
- ↑ http://build-basic.com/build-diy-pet-steps/
- ↑ http://build-basic.com/build-diy-pet-steps/
- ↑ http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/build-doggie-steps.html
- ↑ http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/build-doggie-steps.html
- ↑ http://build-basic.com/build-diy-pet-steps/
- ↑ http://build-basic.com/build-diy-pet-steps/#.Wk_IQjdMFhE
- ↑ http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/build-doggie-stairs.html
About this article
How.com.vn Staff
How.com.vn Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by How.com.vn Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. How.com.vn's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 29,774 times.
Co-authors: 6
Updated: January 25, 2023
Views: 29,774
Article SummaryX
To create the side panels for a set of dog stairs, start by laying an uncut side panel plank on a flat surface. Choose a corner to be the bottom front corner and make a pencil mark 6 inches up from it. After that, find the corner diagonally across from the bottom front corner and make a mark 8 inches in front of it. Combine the 2 marks by drawing a straight line between them, then cut through the line with a circular saw. Repeat this with a second side panel plank. To learn how to install tread cleats and assemble the stairs, read on!
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