Plastic stairs (or resin/vinyl stairs) make an attractive and durable alternative to more traditional wooden stairs. Plastic steps have become commonplace for short rises and vinyl staircases. They are often selected for houses as a means of minimizing long-term maintenance expenses and for their attractive appearance.

In swimming pools, plastic stairs tend to be more comfortable to a person's bare feet than other common alternatives, like metal ladders and cement steps. That is why many makers of swimming pool stairs make their stairs out of plastic. Portable plastic stairs can also be purchased ready-made, especially for pets. There are a few plastic stairs basics you should know before making your purchase, including:

1. Find a contractor to install plastic (vinyl) staircases.

2. Create your own plastic stairway, with the help of instructions, an online stair calculator and materials.

3. Acquire plastic stairs for swimming pools or for pets.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate plastic stair contractors in your area

Contractors are the fast way to get it done and to get it done right. They're experts at making plastic stairs and installing plastic stairs, i.e. vinyl stairs. Their professional-grade work and warranty can make it worthwhile if you are up to the cost of having a contractor do the work.

I recommend: Construction Deal provides a website that makes it easy to find numerous contractors in exactly the category you are looking for in your area. Click "View Directory," select your state and city, select "Staircases" followed by the particular service such as "Custom Staircase Installation." Perhaps a half dozen or more contractors' contact information will be displayed. If you're in Orange Country, CA, OCCreative Carpentry specializes in building custom staircases and can build a vinyl staircase according to your specifications.

Build your own stairs with instructional help and/or a kit

Constructing plastic stairs is easier than you may think. Assemblable stair systems exist that allow skilled carpenters, as well as the handyman do-it-yourselfer, to save time and money building plastic stairs that are strong and have structural integrity.

I recommend: EZ Stairs provides detailed online instructions, a how-to video and an online stair calculator to enable anyone to easily build vinyl/plastic stairs. Their system features patented adjustable parallel brackets to save time and money. Essortment also provides instructions online for building your own stairs.

Buy plastic stairs for swimming pool access or for pets

Swimming pools are one place you will often find molded plastic stairs being used. The metal and cement alternatives also commonly found in pools are much less comfortable on bare feet. Also, a plastic step made for pets can be a great help for people who have smaller or older animals.

I recommend: PoolDeals and Quaker Plastic sell plastic stairs for swimming pools. These stairs make it very comfortable to step into and out of a swimming pool. Plastic stairs from Pet-Stairs make it easier for smaller pets to get onto a chair or couch.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Vinyl plastic staircases and railings are a better long-term solution than wood, especially for large projects, where wood would involve a greater amount of ongoing maintenance expense over the years.

As lumber costs rise and more regulations exist against pressure-treated lumber, plastic stairs become more popular. Plastic stair contractors can build a staircase completely out of plastic lumber products or construct a staircase with plastic fiberglass stair treads and a metal superstructure. Single-piece, short-run stairs made of molded plastic replace their older cousins made from poured concrete.

Benefits of plastic staircases include:

1. Pre-made, one-piece plastic stairs can be quickly put in place when needed;

2. Plastic stair treads with a serrated surface provide added safety;

3. And plastic resists many things that can damage wood or metal staircases.

Action Steps
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Gain quick access to a building with portable molded plastic stairs

Use these portable sets of short stairs as a fast way to allow access to new construction, easily reach items on tall warehouse shelves or temporarily replace existing outdoor steps during site renovation.

I recommend: Find 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-step units of portable stairs that are ready to ship immediately at A Plus Warehouse. Order one of several models of plastic steps with a storage compartment inside from Material Handling Solutions.

Save on maintenance by constructing plastic stairs from plastic lumber products

Building plastic stairs using plastic lumber products results in structures that are 100% maintenance free and guaranteed for long life. They don't splinter, fade or peel and they resist mold and are impervious to termites. Plastic stairs make a good choice for areas in close proximity to road salt or spray from sea water.

I recommend: Choose from a huge selection of plastic lumber products made from 100% recycled plastic, view the engineering data or order a free sample at Plastic Lumber Yard. Order plastic lumber products available in six colors from American Plastic Lumber.

Install safe industrial plastic stairs with fiberglass treads

Fiberglass is a sturdy form of plastic. Industrial plastic steps with a serrated tread surface provide safe footing in situations where the stairs are likely to collect debris.

I recommend: Get help choosing the correct kind of fiberglass stair treads for your needs at All American Grating, either by downloading the catalog or by contacting its staff. Request a free quote on stairs made with duratread fiberglass stair treads or other fiberglass structures at GEF.

Make climbing easy at home and in the office with plastic steps and step stools

Step stools configured in the shape of stair steps are safer than ladder types for those who are unsteady on their feet. Stairs can also help older pets climb into a vehicle or onto a platform or examining table in a pet grooming business or veterinary office.

I recommend: Find a variety of different step stools, ladders and other portable step solutions for your home or small office Discount Office Items. Choose from several step solutions including pet stairs for older pets at HSN Improvements.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Plastic stairs and decks made from plastic lumber products may cost more than traditional wood, but they will last longer and you will save money on maintenance as well.

Plastic stairs provide convenient solutions within many industries. Plastic stair sales, manufacturing, construction, pet grooming and many other industries find benefits from plastic stairs. Plastic stairs can initially cost more, but their benefits include lower maintenance, long life, lightweight and portability. The decking business is also seeing an increase in different types of decks and deck stairs that include all plastic and recycled composite plastic lumber.

Plastic stairs pricing and costs vary depending on the number of steps you'll need, the durability of the product and any accessories, like hand rails, that may come with the stairs. This guide offers pricing information on three types of plastic stairs:

1. Portable plastic stairs and steps useful in manufacturing, warehousing, office and retail settings.

2. Plastic steps designed for pet use and beneficial to vets, grooming businesses and pet owners.

3. Outdoor plastic stairs that offer an attractive alternative to wood.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase portable plastic stairs for your business

Rather than spending the money to install a fixed stair solution for your business, consider using industrial plastic steps that you can push out of the way when you don't need them.

I recommend: A Plus Warehouse offers heavy-duty, molded plastic stairs ranging from one step to four steps per unit. Prices range from about $65 - $400, and the company offers price breaks when buying more than 15 units. Check the selection of heavy-duty plastic step stands from Global Industrial. Stands come in units with one to four steps ranging in price from about $40 to nearly $250.

Make plastic steps part of your vet, pet grooming or retail business

If your business deals with pets, use plastic steps to help you with getting old and/or infirm pets up or down from a table. A pet retail business selling steps that can help beloved pets get up and down from sofas and beds will please many customers.

I recommend: For roughly $200, you can purchase collapsible 18 inch ABS plastic stairs designed for pets from Hunter K9 Gear. The unit comes available with either four or five plastic steps. If you're a retailer interested in selling the steps, contact the company for its wholesale prices. For less than $50, you can order the PupSTEP Plus pet stairs from Improvements. The four-step molded plastic staircase hold pets up to 120 lbs.

Evaluate the possibility of plastic stairs for your outdoor construction projects

Consider installing plastic staircases or recycled plastic lumber staircases for outdoor staircase solutions. While it initially can cost 20% to 50% more than wood planks, its users will typically see a return on the investment within four years in the form of reduced maintenance and replacement costs.

I recommend: If you can afford a low-maintenance, upscale alternative to wood deck staircases, consider a PrimoPlank spiral plastic staircase from Mr. Deck. The stair case comes unassembled and starts with a base price in excess of $6,500. For an additional cost, you can add additional steps, lamp post with lamp, planter extension and bracket and even a PrimoPlank hanging basket. Learn more about the differences between the cost of building plastic stairs versus wood stairs. View the price of plastic lumber at EPS Plastic Lumber, and then click on your state at the Lowe's website to price traditional lumber.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of whether you're constructing plastic stairs for decks, buying industrial plastic steps or looking for plastic steps for pets, make sure you get your money's worth with safety features like non-skid and/or self-draining surfaces. These features don't significantly add to the cost of the steps, but they can save you thousands of dollars by helping to avoid accidents and injuries.