Just got hired by a high-end client to build one of these. Mine is going to have beautiful flagstone imported from Tucson surrounded by gold 3/4 minus cinder for the walking surface. Definitely adding more drain rock to prevent rot. Good looking out! 😉
This video is very good thank you very much. I have been remodeling homes for such a long time but never in my life had to build outdoor stairs towards lake. I own cabin in Vermont and now it time I definitely will use this method with concrete plus a rebar. Again thank you
I am interested in the stair boxes using wood frames and concrete. We have a rather steep hill down to the water where we keep a boat in the summer. I need to find something simple and rustic like the wood frames and concrete. Due to the grade do we need to anchor it using poles sunk in concrete. Or your suggestion for keeping it in place. I need this info to show to a handy man to build for me. I will need a rail also and thought a metal pole rail would probably work the best and just sink it into concrete. Any thoughts
If I was to guess and keep in mind that I'm only guessing, because I don't have a lot of experience with freezing ground temperatures that will move most of these materials, I would pick gravel, with an understanding that the stairway might require yearly maintenance.
This along with the rise and run video was very helpful. I'm attempting to build a dry stack walkway down to a customers dock. Thinking of using 4x8x16 concrete blocks as the base, backfilled with paver base then finally topped with paver sand and a 2ft x 2ft slate stepping stone. Do you have any suggestion. Customer wants it cheap and quick! Its a rebuild of existing stepping stones layed in dirt. Thanks again!
I would probably need to see a picture of what you're trying to do, before commenting. However, if everything you are going to assemble will remain stable and create a flat surface for the steps, then you should be okay. Filling steps with gravel or other materials that can move aren't always going to be the safest stairs.
Could you elaborate more on how to make a drainage system for the bottom stair? I was thinking I could put stones underneath the bottom plant to act as "weep holes" for the stair, but I wasn't sure if there was a better way.
Do you have any information / videos on building natural stone steps into a slope like this? I can't find any videos that show how to lay the gravel or crushed stone base the stones sit on and how to integrate them into the slope. I know how to calculate the number of steps I would need but I cant find info on actually laying the stones on the slope itself.
I can put your video on a list of videos to be made in the future, but would need to see a picture of what you're trying to build. Most stairs using natural stone have some type of concrete base. You can get our email address at our website to send pictures or drawings.
Thanks for the great videos. The question I have is we had a retaining wall built on a slope, my husband decided he wants a ramp instead of stairs. our garden supply shed will be the bottom. I can find no videos on an outdoor ramp. Is it even possible? right with nothing there we are losing all the dirt right down this open space. Thanks for any advice!!!
I don't think it would be much difference. The main goal would be to build it in way to reduce or eliminate material movement and on a steep slope, you might be better off building a different stairway, maybe one out of concrete or wood without any materials that could move.
What kind of building material would you suggest for a staircase going down to a lake, that would be submerged underwater for a few months of the year?
Possibly concrete or some type of treated lumber that won't be affected by water and you might be able to find that at a local lumberyard. ua-cam.com/video/TheW4lynSkk/v-deo.html
We have steps like this and we used pavers. I live in NH. Every year the pavers sink down. Any suggestions for what to use under the pavers? We mostly use stone dust. Maybe that's where we went wrong.
Patrick Posey you need to use 6” of 3/4 crushed stone. Compact that then use 3” of sand. Compact that to the correctable last to make the pavers level. Fill the grooves in between the pavers with sand.
I like Marc's idea, but I can't provide you with something that would work 100% all the time. If you don't want them to move at all, then you might need to pour concrete underneath them, but that's a lot of work. Freezing ground temperatures create a lot of problems for stairs with pavers and you might be better off repairing them every once in a while.
Would this work for a steep hill? Are there better methods? Currently the stairs down the hill of my house are piece of rotting wood with rebar nailed through them installed by the previous owner
Here is an idea.... Gravel is fine. Wear shoes and don't run up them. Another thought go ALL concrete and forget the wood (except forms). Or just make it all from wood...
Very good informative video. Question, I have a flagstone 1in thick and I don't want use a box wood. Can I use bricks or something like that? If so, how can do that, how many pieces of bricks I need? Thank you
Yes, you can use bricks for treads and risers and bricks would work fine for filling in steps like these, but they could end up cracking or separating if there is any movement in the soil from erosion or soil settling that wasn't compacted correctly.
How many years would you get out of “wooden boxes”. Eventually, they’ll rot….maybe that’s a stupid thought. But while I can see doing this once…a lot of work…I’d rather not do it twice! Great video, though…your explanation and graphics? Bravo-Zulu, excellent! Well done!
Do you have a video on actually building the steps. There were steps there originally that were infested with weeds because they were made with landscape ties and rebar, the ties mostly rotted and pieces of slate rock. I pulled some of that out. The step rise was also too steep. Should,I pull the whole thing out and the rebar and start again. I’m trying to do this as simple and easily as possible. It’s just steps from my garden shed, so not a very visible or seen area. I like the idea of the squares and cement. So no weed problem. Thank you.
No, I do not have a video and probably won't be able to advise you on whether or not you should remove and replace your stairs. However, can suggest that you consider rebuilding them if they are too steep.
No, but I will put it on my list of videos to be made in the future, if it isn't on there already. Keep in mind that it's already a long list and this video might not be made for quite some time.
If you're going to pour concrete into each individual step, then I would suggest having a minimum of 4 inches for the concrete. You can install gravel underneath the concrete, but it might not be necessary. Let me know if this didn't answer your question.
I would probably need an example of what type of stairway with U's your talking about. Feel free to email me a picture of what you're referring to or trying provide me with more details.
I've walked on stairs like this and I'm not a fan. One set with sand and another w/ gravel. Generally, I'm not a fan of this style because of the potential for a 'lip' developing on a step and that seems like a major safety hazard. I found myself walking up and down the steps like I would stones across a stream...asking myself "where's the stable footing?" Thanks for the videos!
Most landscape architects prefer 6 foot rise or less because peoples eyes wander outside the run depends on stride & should be more than 11 for a 6 inch rise. Decomposed granite compressed properly perks well enough for residential traffic.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but if you are building steps out of wood then for the aesthetic why would you fill it with concrete? I think it should be something more natural like gravel or crushed stone.
Just got hired by a high-end client to build one of these. Mine is going to have beautiful flagstone imported from Tucson surrounded by gold 3/4 minus cinder for the walking surface. Definitely adding more drain rock to prevent rot. Good looking out! 😉
Just what I needed to watch for my project
This video is very good thank you very much. I have been remodeling homes for such a long time but never in my life had to build outdoor stairs towards lake. I own cabin in Vermont and now it time I definitely will use this method with concrete plus a rebar. Again thank you
You are more than welcome glad you got to learn something new.
great video. very easy to follow. I am wondering about stack these boxes, do you anchor it at each step on the edge so make more secure? thank you
Yes, anchor and secure.
@@stairbuilding do you have a video that show to anchor it? i see people drill a hole and hammer a re-bar to connect the step together
I also don’t want a steep rise on each step because I bring stuff out of my shed like wheelbarrows and such.
I am interested in the stair boxes using wood frames and concrete. We have a rather steep hill down to the water where we keep a boat in the summer. I need to find something simple and rustic like the wood frames and concrete. Due to the grade do we need to anchor it using poles sunk in concrete. Or your suggestion for keeping it in place. I need this info to show to a handy man to build for me. I will need a rail also and thought a metal pole rail would probably work the best and just sink it into concrete. Any thoughts
Email me a picture of the problem area where stairs need to be built.
What is the best fill for freezing weather with snow and ice? Thanks for your presentations!
If I was to guess and keep in mind that I'm only guessing, because I don't have a lot of experience with freezing ground temperatures that will move most of these materials, I would pick gravel, with an understanding that the stairway might require yearly maintenance.
should you put weeping holse in the bottom of the bottom stair? Or would the gravel underneath be enough drainage?
A site drainage system might be better.
This along with the rise and run video was very helpful. I'm attempting to build a dry stack walkway down to a customers dock. Thinking of using 4x8x16 concrete blocks as the base, backfilled with paver base then finally topped with paver sand and a 2ft x 2ft slate stepping stone. Do you have any suggestion.
Customer wants it cheap and quick! Its a rebuild of existing stepping stones layed in dirt. Thanks again!
I would probably need to see a picture of what you're trying to do, before commenting. However, if everything you are going to assemble will remain stable and create a flat surface for the steps, then you should be okay. Filling steps with gravel or other materials that can move aren't always going to be the safest stairs.
Could you elaborate more on how to make a drainage system for the bottom stair? I was thinking I could put stones underneath the bottom plant to act as "weep holes" for the stair, but I wasn't sure if there was a better way.
A drain at the bottom could create a soil erosion problem, but I will add your suggestion to our future videos.
If doing this in Canada does the cement still work or are we concerned for the frost line ?
Concrete might not work in cold climates.
Put the wood treds on top of the boxes ?
Do you have any information / videos on building natural stone steps into a slope like this? I can't find any videos that show how to lay the gravel or crushed stone base the stones sit on and how to integrate them into the slope. I know how to calculate the number of steps I would need but I cant find info on actually laying the stones on the slope itself.
Am looking for videos as you
I can put your video on a list of videos to be made in the future, but would need to see a picture of what you're trying to build. Most stairs using natural stone have some type of concrete base. You can get our email address at our website to send pictures or drawings.
I am using 6x 6 pressure treated wood. Only concern about risers hights. As 6” will be enough for building code or what should I do?
Most building codes allow for between 4 and 7 inches for risers.
Excellent video thank you! Would you lay the wood directly on the soil, or put plastic sheet down first? Or use ground contact PT wood?
For something like this ground rated pressure treated lumber would work best. ua-cam.com/video/TheW4lynSkk/v-deo.html
Thanks for the great videos. The question I have is we had a retaining wall built on a slope, my husband decided he wants a ramp instead of stairs. our garden supply shed will be the bottom. I can find no videos on an outdoor ramp. Is it even possible? right with nothing there we are losing all the dirt right down this open space. Thanks for any advice!!!
You can email me some pictures of your project and I'll see if I can provide you with any information. You can get our email address at our website.
How does the step fill material behave on really gentle slope vs very steep slopes? Is there better material for certain steepness?
I don't think it would be much difference. The main goal would be to build it in way to reduce or eliminate material movement and on a steep slope, you might be better off building a different stairway, maybe one out of concrete or wood without any materials that could move.
@@stairbuilding my next question is would It need to be below the frost line? It is 36" in my area
Thanks for the video. Any idea what kind of stairs you would want to build on a steeper hill?
I think I would use wood or concrete. It would need to be a secure and stable stairway, so something solid or something that would make it solid.
What kind of building material would you suggest for a staircase going down to a lake, that would be submerged underwater for a few months of the year?
Possibly concrete or some type of treated lumber that won't be affected by water and you might be able to find that at a local lumberyard.
ua-cam.com/video/TheW4lynSkk/v-deo.html
We have steps like this and we used pavers. I live in NH. Every year the pavers sink down. Any suggestions for what to use under the pavers? We mostly use stone dust. Maybe that's where we went wrong.
Patrick Posey you need to use 6” of 3/4 crushed stone. Compact that then use 3” of sand. Compact that to the correctable last to make the pavers level. Fill the grooves in between the pavers with sand.
I like Marc's idea, but I can't provide you with something that would work 100% all the time. If you don't want them to move at all, then you might need to pour concrete underneath them, but that's a lot of work. Freezing ground temperatures create a lot of problems for stairs with pavers and you might be better off repairing them every once in a while.
Would this work for a steep hill? Are there better methods? Currently the stairs down the hill of my house are piece of rotting wood with rebar nailed through them installed by the previous owner
I think I would use conventional stair building methods out of concrete or lumber for steep stairways.
Here is an idea.... Gravel is fine. Wear shoes and don't run up them. Another thought go ALL concrete and forget the wood (except forms). Or just make it all from wood...
What would something like this cost?
You would need to contact a contractor in your area for that information.
i want your opinion on step by step to build steps. I'm always trying DIY
It might be easier than doing all of the math and if you don't need to end the stairs at a specific level or height.
What about filling them with dirt and soil and planting a high traffic grass seed? That’s what I thought of doing next year on the side of my house.
I don't really like the idea of watering the stairs to get the grass to grow, but don't see why your suggestion would not provide another possibility.
Very good informative video. Question, I have a flagstone 1in thick and I don't want use a box wood. Can I use bricks or something like that? If so, how can do that, how many pieces of bricks I need? Thank you
Yes, you can use bricks for treads and risers and bricks would work fine for filling in steps like these, but they could end up cracking or separating if there is any movement in the soil from erosion or soil settling that wasn't compacted correctly.
@@stairbuilding OK, if I use wood, how long can be in good condition, because will be outside under rain and hot sun?
How many years would you get out of “wooden boxes”. Eventually, they’ll rot….maybe that’s a stupid thought. But while I can see doing this once…a lot of work…I’d rather not do it twice! Great video, though…your explanation and graphics? Bravo-Zulu, excellent! Well done!
It will depend on your weather, more rain and snow, could make the wood rot faster.
Do you have a video on actually building the steps. There were steps there originally that were infested with weeds because they were made with landscape ties and rebar, the ties mostly rotted and pieces of slate rock. I pulled some of that out. The step rise was also too steep. Should,I pull the whole thing out and the rebar and start again. I’m trying to do this as simple and easily as possible. It’s just steps from my garden shed, so not a very visible or seen area. I like the idea of the squares and cement. So no weed problem. Thank you.
No, I do not have a video and probably won't be able to advise you on whether or not you should remove and replace your stairs. However, can suggest that you consider rebuilding them if they are too steep.
Hi that was an great explanation.I would like to know if you have any recommendations for actual building of the steps. thank you
No, but I will put it on my list of videos to be made in the future, if it isn't on there already. Keep in mind that it's already a long list and this video might not be made for quite some time.
I am a littel confused I leave 3.5 to 4 inches for the concreate or is that how much gravel in the bottom?
If you're going to pour concrete into each individual step, then I would suggest having a minimum of 4 inches for the concrete. You can install gravel underneath the concrete, but it might not be necessary. Let me know if this didn't answer your question.
I've seen other videos that suggest building "U"s rather than boxes and stacking those... Is that design problematic?
I would probably need an example of what type of stairway with U's your talking about. Feel free to email me a picture of what you're referring to or trying provide me with more details.
I know what you mean by the "U" shape. Would save wood and some time. No biggie if you have less than 10 stairs, but say 20. I'd try the "U"
if using concrete finish with a 'brush finish'
The reason for using a brushed finish would be to create a slip resistant texture on the surface. Great idea thanks for sharing.
I've walked on stairs like this and I'm not a fan. One set with sand and another w/ gravel. Generally, I'm not a fan of this style because of the potential for a 'lip' developing on a step and that seems like a major safety hazard. I found myself walking up and down the steps like I would stones across a stream...asking myself "where's the stable footing?" Thanks for the videos!
Excellent points
Thank you very much.great info
Very welcome
How do you attach one box to the next ?
With framing hardware, screws or nails.
Love this video. Thanks
What about if you was building stairs to a decent size creek?
I'm sure you could use these methods, if that's what you're asking, if not feel free to ask another question.
How to calculate the # of steps need on slopes please?
See if this link helps. www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/stairs/landscaping/index.html
Most landscape architects prefer 6 foot rise or less because peoples eyes wander outside the run depends on stride & should be more than 11 for a 6 inch rise.
Decomposed granite compressed properly perks well enough for residential traffic.
I'm guessing that you meant a 6 inch individual riser height and I've actually slipped on wet decomposed granite.
Thank you
You're welcome.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
1.5" modified + bluestone pavers on top
Filling those steps with concreted is the best
As long as wood doesn't rot.
I would fill it with cobbles stones. 40 D x 40 W x 60 H One colour or even something like a chess
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but if you are building steps out of wood then for the aesthetic why would you fill it with concrete? I think it should be something more natural like gravel or crushed stone.
And thanks for you're opinion.
Because massive growth of weeds, harder to maintain.