Using Outdoor Steps to Beautify and Unify Your Landscaping

                                                                                         

For building outdoor steps the standard dimensions for indoor steps should be used, particularly in high traffic areas. The tread of each step should be 10 inches deep and the risers about 7 1/2 inches. It is a good idea to make the treads 1/4 inch lower in the front than they are in the back to allow drainage. A good foundation is essential for any steps other than those made of rounds of logs. The foundation should extend six inches below the frost line.

Although it is not always the most attractive concrete is an often-used material for steps. A simple form can be constructed out of a series of boxes of lx6 or lx8-inch lumber, each box being the same width but ten inches shorter than the box for the lower step. The boxes are placed one on top of the other, and held together by outside cleats. Make sure the corners are well braced. The cement is poured using 1 part Portland cement to 3 parts sand to 6 parts gravel. Then the tops of the steps are leveled by using the flat edge of a board.

Using pre-cast concrete blocks eliminates the need for forms for step construction. The cost is close to the same as building steps of poured concrete, but the job - especially for a one-man operation - is easier. It is important that the blocks are bonded together well and you can obtain a good appearance by applying a thin overall coating of concrete.

Brick steps are built in the same manner as concrete blocks, however more masonry skill is required. A layer of gravel is first laid over the subsoil to make a foundation. The weakness of brick steps is the many joints they require.

In constructing stone steps, the main challenge is finding the stone. While this creates no problem at all in some areas, in other areas stone must be purchased, and when this is so, stone steps are by far the most expensive type to build. They are also among the most attractive. If large enough stones can be found stone steps can be built without masonry bonding.

If stone steps are freestanding, mortar must be used. The foundation must be prepared with a layer of gravel, the same as for brick steps. The concrete that is used to make a bed for the stones must be placed carefully to keep a good pattern.

Leveling must be precise (a string level is recommended ). Remove spilled mortar from stones while it is still wet and easy to remove. If it does dry, however, dry mortar may be removed by using muriatic acid.

Wooden rounds cut from large logs can also make a beautiful and easily constructed set of steps. The bottom round is set in the ground, and the next one is placed to partially cover it, leaving a riser. The soil is filled in under the upper round and firmly tamped. This procedure is followed till you reach the desired height.

Informal wooden steps can be used to create steps for long slopes where there is no need for real steps but it is too steep for a path. Ramp steps can be made with risers of large stone flags, logs or squared timber. The paths leading to the steps should have the same width as the steps. The ramps should rise gradually, the largest rise being 3/4 inch per foot.

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