Well a 2nd story deck without stairs is called a balcony.  We wanted a deck and so we started putting in stairs, nice wide ones, 4 feet wide at the top, going to a 4' x 5' landing, then turning, last set of stairs is 5' wide.

We are using "forever" wood.  I call it fake wood.  But I like it, I don't get splinters, I never have to nail pops, I have have to stain / seal it.  I've had one at my mother-in-laws house for about 5 years and it definetly is worth the extra cost.  I did not beleive in them, but the resuls are great.

Currently we only put the steps onto the deck, we will be rebuilding and widening the rest of the deck this fall.

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