Can Deck Stairs Land On Grass? (What You Should Do) -

Technically yes, your deck stairs can land on the grass. However, it is not recommended. It is important that you have a sturdy, durable, and proper landing underneath the bottom step of your stairs to hold up the structure and keep the steps sound.

Although it might seem unnecessary to some people, having a durable and strong landing at the bottom of a set of outdoor stairs is extremely important, which is why we decided to compile a list of great ways to construct a staircase with ideal landing materials.

Why Can’t Your Deck Stairs Land on Grass?

Although there aren’t any codes or rules stating that your deck cannot land on the grass, meeting certain safety standards and following specific basic construction will make using the grass, dirt, or gravel almost a waste of time. Because regulations state the slope of each step must be 1/4″ per foot (or less), it would be almost impossible to comply with these rules on top of unsettled materials.

What Can Your Deck Stairs Land On?

The best materials to use for a set of deck stairs to land on will be different depending on who you ask, but for the most part, it includes concrete or brick. These are two of the best options for a deck landing because they have flat surfaces and are highly durable, meaning your ground won’t move under you when walking on it.

The purpose of deck stair landings is to provide a safe and sturdy spot for you to enter and exit the set of stairs without the risk of losing your footing and avoiding any injuries. It is also necessary to support the deck from the bottom, providing a sound structure.

Pros and Cons of Using Concrete for Your Deck Landing

Concrete is typically the go-to material when creating a landing for your deck, and we agree it is probably one of the best options. While it is flat, sturdy, and strong, there are some things to keep in mind if using this medium.

Concrete is not only strong, but it is one of the most time-consuming and strenuous constructions out of all the options and is permeant. Once you pour the concrete and it dries, it will stay in place for a very long time. (unless you go at it with a jackhammer.)

Pros and Cons of Using Brick for Your Deck Landing

While bricks are another fantastic option for creating a deck landing, it isn’t nearly as permanent or resilient as concrete. If you use bricks, flagstones, or pavers, you are going to have to maintain the landing a lot more frequently.

On the other hand, you aren’t going to have the burden of digging as deep as you would with concrete, and you won’t have to deal with mixing and pouring anything, meaning this is going to be a quicker and less time-consuming option to go with.

Pros and Cons of Using Grass for Your Deck Landing

If you choose not to listen to us and go with utilizing your lawn as a landing, you are going to struggle to maintain the area and quite possibly fail inspection frequently. Because the earth moves and fluctuates with the weather, temperature, and foot traffic, leaving your deck right on top of the grass is not going to provide good structural support.

However, using grass will be the most affordable way to go and the easiest landing to use. Placing your stair landing directly on your grass will give you a soft and comfortable place to walk when going up and down the stairs.

Deck Stair Requirements

If you are following proper codes when building your deck stairs, there are a few important requirements to follow in order to pass inspection.

First, you must have a landing as wide as the stairs themselves, if not wider. The landing must also be at least three feet deep. The landing needs to provide a safe space for use at the bottom and the top of the stairs and should leave plenty of room for doors and gates.

To add to that, a landing is required for any set of stairs that measure twelve inches tall.

Does the Landing Count as a Step?

Yep, anytime you have to raise your foot in order to take a step, it is counted as part of the stairs. If your landing is raised, it is considered to be a step.

Landing Options At a Glance

Here is a quick side-by-side look at the pros and cons of the materials you can use as a landing for your steps to give you a quick guide when considering which to choose.

Material	Pros	Cons
Concrete	Extremely strong and very durable Creates a flat surface Provides plenty of structural support	Time-consuming to mix, pour, and wait for it to dry. It cannot be easily moved once completed It can get a little messy
Brick/Pavers	It doesn’t take a whole lot of time to lay down It doesn’t require as much digging as concrete It isn’t as messy as concrete and doesn’t require drying time.	Requires more maintenance and repositioning Not as strong as concrete
Grass/Gravel/Dirt	It doesn’t require any money It doesn’t require work	Not durable or strong Probably won’t pass inspection Requires a lot of maintenance Isn’t great for structure support

Now, we are not telling you that using grass is a bad idea as a landing for your deck stairs, but…Using grass will probably be a bad idea for your deck landing.

If your deck is very low to the ground and you only have a step or two to get from the ground level to the porch area, then using grass as a landing is perfectly acceptable as long as the stairs themselves are adequately supported and built correctly.

Summing Things Up

Can deck stairs land on grass? We can’t tell you absolutely not; however, we can suggest not to do so for safety concerns, structural support problems, and code violations. Stick with something a little stronger and with a lot more support, such as concrete and bricks.

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Can Deck Stairs Land On Grass? (What You Should Do)