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Decking Dictionary

Riser Height

Riser height is the vertical distance between steps. Building code requires steps to have a uniform riser height to prevent trips and falls. Typical steps fall between 4 inches and 7 ¾ inches according to international residential code (IRC). Always check with your deck builder before beginning a new project to make sure they know and understand the local building code for deck stairs.

In:
Green Shield standard four foot wide stairs in Tropical Walnut with black aluminum baluster deck rails leading up to a premier wood-free rice hull composite deck built by Green Shield Deck Builders.
Green Shield standard four foot deck stairs with consistent riser heights.

The Green Shield Difference

Green Shield follows all building regulations in each county where our crews work. Consistent riser height is just one of many ways that Green Shield supports deck safety as a NDARA safety ambassador. Every crew member is carefully trained on the best way to check for crowning and measure steps so that your stairs will remain even for the lifetime of your deck.

"Consistent riser height, clean lines, and beautiful fascia set Green Shield decks apart."
- Adam Rought,
CEO & Founder

Consistent Every Time

Deck Riser Heigh Defintion Video

Green Shield standards make sure every deck stair riser is measured precisely. The extra effort looks aesthetically pleasing and keeps you safer for a lifetime.

America's #1 Deck Builder

Different Step Styles

Stairs Always Built to Match the Way You Live

Green Shield keeps riser heights consistent across our standard, cascading, and deep steps. Adam Rought, CEO and Founder of Green Shield Deck Builders explains the key differences between our standard and cascading stair options.

Cascading Stairs

Make One Area Flow to the Next

Cascading stairs create a natural flow from your deck to the yard. Green Shield builds each step to last a lifetime, combining expert craftsmanship with underlying structural strength.

Cascading Stairs
Tigerwood deck built by Green Shield with cascading stairs and black baluster deck railing.

Built by Hand. Backed by Green Shield.

See Projects from America's #1 Deck Builder

Safe decks start with durable engineering. Green Shield builds code-compliant stairs with precise riser heights designed to stay even for a lifetime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Green Shield Building Standards

Every Green Shield deck is built to our Never Stain Your Deck Again standards.

  • That’s right—a Green Shield deck never requires staining. High-performance, fully capped EPL resin boards are reliably engineered to last a lifetime without the need for sealing or painting. This premier, moisture-resistant technology ensures a low-maintenance outdoor space that maintains its high-quality finish through every season.

  • Green Shield provides uninterrupted 12-month building availability through our Proven Process, which utilizes engineered foundation solutions that are 100% cement-free and require zero cure time. Standard deck builders stop construction during winter because traditional poured concrete footings freeze and fail to set. By eliminating concrete entirely, Green Shield is able to ensure seamless deck installation regardless of temperature or climate challenges.

  • Homeowners can expect an 80–100% ROI. This is bolstered by the low maintenance nature of the boards, which eliminates the ongoing costs of staining and sealing.

  • By using wood-free materials, KDAT framing, and engineered footing solutions, Green Shield prevents the internal moisture absorption and ground-heave issues that cause standard decks to shift, expand, and crack during temperature swings.