It is great luck to become the owner of a flat plot of land whose surface does not require leveling. But what if the relief on it rises and falls? There are two possible solutions to the problem: level the surface by filling up low spots and removing high places, or decorate it with all kinds of stairs and steps. Garden stairs are also interesting because, in addition to their direct purpose - providing convenience for moving around an area with a slope, they will help transform the architectural and decorative appearance of the garden.
By installing stairs, you can connect the landscape of the site into a single whole and transform the garden, giving it an aristocratic zest and noble charm. On almost any site there is a place where you need to rise from one level to another. To connect multi-level zones of the site, two steps may well be enough. And even on flat, even terrain, stairs will not be superfluous. Low descents and ascents will add dynamics to the surrounding space, making the flat area more diverse.
Processing of relief and transformation by artificially creating its forms is called geoplastics:
Stairs are installed when creating terraces on the slopes of the site, designing the central entrance to the house and the patio
Depending on the type of design, garden stairs are divided into mortise and free: the first option assumes the presence, and with the second, the steps are laid directly on the ground.
The materials for making stairs can be: wood, natural stone, brick, concrete. The main thing is that the material for finishing the steps matches the style of the site.
For the garden in rustic style staircases made from wood cuts and wooden structures, decorated with carvings
Admirers of the Art Nouveau style can use concrete slabs of various shapes and colors to decorate stairs, from which it is convenient to lay out fancy ornaments. In this case, planted along the edges of the stairs ornamental plants will cover the transition from the steps to the ground. And, the romantic style, for example, involves installing flowerpots with flowers along the staircase passages, which help create a lyrical atmosphere.
A harmonious addition landscape style there will be stone steps decorated with ferns, saxifrage and decorative ground covers
Constructive solution and architectural style the staircase largely depends on its location. Most often, stairs are equipped with railings, but for small transitional structures with gentle steps, the presence of railings is not at all necessary.
When designing stairs, the main thing is not to disturb the plasticity of the relief, because these multi-level transitions are designed to emphasize the advantages of the site, while successfully hiding its shortcomings.
When thinking about the arrangement of steps, it is important to correctly determine the proportions of both the entire structure and its individual elements. To calculate the required number of steps and their sizes, you need to take two slats, which are fastened together at right angles. We install the free end of the first rail in the place where the lower step is arranged, and the end of the second rail is placed in the place where the last upper step is installed. Then we determine the length of the steps: divide the length of the horizontal rail by the expected number of steps. Using the same principle, we calculate the height of the steps, taking the length of the vertical rail as a basis.
Standard sizes staircases have 30-40 cm treads and 10-12 cm risers, but garden options multi-level transitions are often made in large sizes
The width of the steps should be proportionate to the steepness of the climb. The overall width of the staircase is also determined by the width of the stairs leading to it. The wider the staircase, the greater the field for creativity: on the sides of the spacious steps you can install floor steps, and the railings can be braided with beautiful flowering vines and.
Traditionally, stairs have at least 3-4 steps. When planning to build a staircase for a steep slope, the number of steps in which will exceed 12-14 pieces, it is advisable to provide a landing.
You can even make a miniature recreation area out of a flight of stairs: place a table with a bench, install an umbrella, attach a small lantern
If there is a need to connect small differences, where even three steps would look somewhat cumbersome, you can simply level the area or build an additional embankment.
Whatever design option the site owners choose, a number of points should be taken into account when arranging the stairs:
Another tip - a slight slope of 1-2% of the tread depth in each step will prevent water from stagnating.
Owners dacha area with uneven terrain, material on strengthening walls and slopes on the site will also be useful:
Well placed garden lights in addition to its main purpose, they will help to make even the most ordinary staircase a real decoration of the site
The simplest option for arranging a staircase is made of bulk steps. To arrange them, risers are placed in an inclined recess between two levels of the site, and the voids between the boards are filled with earth.
As a budget option, stairs are used wooden boards, which act as a riser and are installed between the terraces on the edge and secured on both sides with pegs
The function of stepping is performed by an already compacted dense layer of soil. To increase the rigidity of the structure, stringers are used - side longitudinal boards that are placed on the edge to secure the steps. You can prevent the board from deflecting by driving it into the backfill inside boards pegs.
To make a garden staircase from logs we will need:
Along the entire length of the slope, at the site where the future staircase will be installed, we dig a trench and compact the soil. At the base of the slope, we drive two pegs into the ground on which the lower step will rest.
We lay the first log close to the pegs, and fill the space behind it with earth, leaving about 5 cm to the edge, and compact it thoroughly.
Using the same technology, we lay other logs, forming the next steps. We equip each step with a tread made of crushed bark or gravel.
Mosaics made from wooden rounds are very popular. They are made from the trunk and thick branches of a tree, cutting logs 10-15 cm high
To extend the service life, each wood cut is treated with special antiseptics or waste machine oil.
Stone is an ideal option for constructing steps. Round, diamond-shaped, rectangular stone slabs can be laid in any way: as a solid floor or with gaps filled with compacted earth.
The lateral displacement of the steps relative to each other emphasizes the effect of naturalness and makes the landscape more dynamic
Stone slabs, each of which has considerable weight, are laid on a 7-8 cm “cushion” of crushed stone or sand and fixed with cement mortar. The seams between the slabs can be sealed with the same mortar, or covered with sand, allowing ornamental grass to grow.
To avoid opening the ground and collapsing steps, it is necessary to build retaining wall. It can be completely laid out from natural stone or built from concrete.
Stairs, skillfully integrated into the surrounding landscape and harmoniously combined with the overall design, can become a true decoration of the site.
What luck to be the owner of a flat plot, who does not require leveling. But what to do if the topography of your site is not ideal and has significant unevenness?
Garden stairs attract attention because, in addition to helping you move around a site with a slope, they also serve as a good decoration for your garden. They can also become a connecting link in the design of the site, giving the site an exclusive, unusual look.
We choose the material for the construction of garden stairs with our own hands:
The material for the construction of garden stairs can be: wood, natural stone, brick or concrete. The main thing is that the chosen material matches the style in which your wonderful garden is designed.
For example, if your site and garden are made in Art Nouveau style, then the garden staircase can be made of concrete slabs, from which you can lay out original patterns.
Along the edges of the stairs you can plant decorative spreading, flowering shrubs which, in addition to their design, will hide the transition of concrete slabs to the ground.
Remember that in order for the staircase to fit perfectly into your garden design, it must match in width garden path walking towards her.
And if your garden is in a romantic style, then the spreading bushes can be replaced with original flowerpots with beautiful flowers, which will help create a more romantic atmosphere.
The design and style of your staircase will depend entirely on its location. Very often, stairs are equipped with additional railings, but if you have a staircase with gentle steps, then install railings not at all necessary.
To calculate the required number of steps and their exact dimensions, we need 2 slats, which we fasten at right angles. The free end of one we install slats at the base of the lower step, and the free end of the second we install slats so where should the top step of the future staircase be? Now we divide the length of the horizontal rail by the number of expected steps. We also calculate the height of the steps, taking the length of the vertical rail as a basis.
The width of the steps should correspond to the steepness of the climb.
For safe movement at night garden plot. To illuminate the steps, it is better to use lamps that direct the rays of light straight down, decorating your entire staircase with glowing stones. They provide enough illumination to navigate the garden stairs with confidence.
Non-slip surface step
When choosing finishing material it is better to choose a material with a rough surface, such as natural stone or tile, but with a relief surface.
Railing
If, when arranging a garden staircase to connect differences in height of more than 70 cm, to increase safety, we recommend equipping the staircase with railings and making the finishing from the same material as the steps themselves.
Tip: With a slight slope of 1-2% of the tread depth of each step, it will prevent stagnation of water in the soil.
It is one of the simplest options for arranging a garden staircase with bulk steps. To install them in an inclined recess between levels, place them under the steps, and the void between the boards is filled with soil.
In this case, the tread is compacted soil. To increase the rigidity of the structure, side longitudinal boards are used, which are placed on the edge to secure the steps.
To build this staircase you will need:
Along the length of the slope, in the place where the stairs will be placed, we dig a trench and press the soil. At the base we drive 2 pegs into the ground, on which we will rest the first step. We lay the log close to the pegs, and fill the space behind it with soil, not filling 5 centimeters to the top, and carefully press it.
Using this technology, we install all steps of your garden staircase from logs. Each degree is separated by a tread of gravel or crushed bark.
Stone- one of ideal options for the construction of garden stairs or decoration of steps. Stone slabs can be of any shape, which allows you to lay them in any way: as a solid covering or in gaps, the gaps are filled with earth.
Stone slabs, which are not light in weight, are laid on a base of crushed stone or sand 7-8 centimeters thick, and the laid stone slabs on top are fixed with mortar for strength.
To avoid erosion of the soil and collapse of steps in the future, it is necessary to make a retaining wall. It can be made of concrete or the stone from which the staircase itself is made.
As you can see, build a garden staircase with your own hands not difficult at all, you just need a little desire. In further articles we will look at building a garden staircase with your own hands in more detail, with step-by-step instructions.
Dear visitors to the site “Visiting Samodelkin”, from the material presented you will learn and learn how to build garden stairs in your own home summer cottage or the garden of a private house.
Before starting work, the first thing you should do is mark the area where the stairs will be located; this can be done using ordinary wooden pegs and twine.
Then we boldly pick up a shovel and begin to remove the layer of turf.
As excavation work progresses, we form steps.
Periodically check the steps with a level to ensure they are level and not tilted in any direction.
The approach is filled with cement mortar and smoothed with a trowel, this kind of shallow foundation for the step is obtained.
Then you need to let it dry cement mortar. We lay the waterproofing in the form of roofing felt and you can begin laying bricks or blocks.
The gravel is laid with a slight elevation above the brickwork; we check it with a level.
The slabs should have a slight slope of about 8-10 mm - this is necessary for the outflow of water during precipitation. It was stated above that the fine gravel base should be slightly higher brickwork, this is precisely why it is slightly higher.
When creating the second step, be sure to measure the height using a level and tape measure.
The edges of all steps should be at the same level (see main photo). Also presented to your attention are already completed and time-tested garden stairs.
You can make these wonderful steps in the garden and at your summer cottage with your own hands. It’s certainly not an easy and time-consuming task, but it’s worth it. Step-by-step instruction presented to you, so let’s take it and do it. Be brave, friends!
This concludes the article. Everyone Thanks a lot for your attention!
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Quite often in landscape design You can find such attributes as garden stairs. They can serve both as decoration and as smooth transitions between different levels. If you make them yourself, then you can realize any of your wishes, since the choice of materials for these purposes is quite wide. You can make stairs from wood, stone, tile, etc.
But such structures also have their own characteristics.
The main element of any staircase is the step. Therefore, its calculation must be taken very responsibly. If you make the transition by only 1-2 steps, then this is fraught with injury.
To correctly calculate the height and length of each flight in a garden staircase, you must do the following:
If the area does not have significant differences, then it is best to make a garden staircase with 4-5 transitions. Also, if there are children or older people in the family, it is recommended to equip the building with railings. In addition, you should take care of the following points:
There are two types of stairs according to their design:
Examples of such stairs can be seen in the photo.
Do not forget that the entire structure must fit harmoniously into the style of the garden. For example, wooden stairs are perfect for country style, but using stones and flowers around the perimeter, you can create a romantic atmosphere.
In addition to wood and stone, you can think about materials such as concrete or brick, marble or tiles. There are many solutions. But if your imagination is not enough, then you can get an idea or even combine several of those shown in the photo.
The most simple option For self-made stairs are considered wood. It is quite easy to process, which means there is no need to prepare any specialized tools. Moreover, the tree natural material, which means it will look just great in the garden.
The whole job looks like this:
Making a garden staircase yourself is quite simple. If any difficulties arise, you can watch the video instructions, which outline each step in detail.
There are several tips that it would be useful to familiarize yourself with to make the design not only beautiful, but also practical:
If you follow these recommendations, the garden staircase will serve not only as an aesthetic decoration, but also fulfill its practical purpose.
Garden staircase created with your own hands from scrap materials to ensure stationary or mobile installation. It is used for repairs, harvesting and electrical work. The raw materials for production are metal and wooden installations for all types of structures, as well as stone, slab and concrete structures for interior landscape design.
Choosing a steel profile to create a stepladder “A” - figurative form, you can most accurately solve the question of how to make a garden staircase with your own hands, provided equipment blanks:
For cutting metal, you will need safety glasses, and for welding, a special mask.
Necessary materials:
On initial stage create a garden staircase with your own hands using the drawings. Initially, the installation height is determined. 4 equal metal parts are cut specified parameters. Steel profile design is cleared. To do this, use a drill with a brush attachment. The stepladder is created from a profile with a rectangular cross-section.
The supporting parts of the structure are fixed in pairs using two long bolts. This type of fastening ensures free installation of products in working condition.
Create a staircase in the same way garden house with your own hands. When the supports for the steps are fully ready, they are placed parallel to each other and markings are created for the planned steps. Here you will need a square to maintain an angle of 90 degrees. Steps are cut from a similar profile or corner.
When the steps are ready, the elements of the lower and upper locations are fixed using spot welding. Then intermediate ones. Welding seams are applied. Provided that the support is created without steps, two transverse steps and one diagonal are welded. This will allow you to connect the supports relative to each other.
Attention! When working on a do-it-yourself garden collapsible ladder or stepladder in the drawings, it is important to provide a safety system (belts, hinges, rubber supports).
All that remains is to secure the limiter in the form of a cable in the center of the flight and attach it to the ends of the supports below separate element profile or corner. At the end of the work, the product is primed for painting.
TO optimal option stepladder refers to the assembly of two ladders with a connected top. However, you can use one ladder with an additional support that replaces the second ladder.
DIY garden staircase made of woodmade using the following materials:
Sadovaya wooden staircase do it yourself requires correct calculation required quantity material. To do this, the required height level is determined, for example 2 m. To build the structure, 8 m of beams for the support guides will be required. When calculating steps, you can set a standard step of 30 cm. Accordingly, 6 steps are to be prepared. As a result, 20 cm remains on top.
The installation width is 600 mm at the bottom and 500 mm at the top. To the results obtained, another 360 cm is added with a margin. As a result, you need to buy 11.6 linear meters of timber. To add strength, you can use birch wood in combination with metal pipes.
The beams are laid on a flat surface, and steps are marked.
Fixation is carried out using two methods:
After marking, the steps are attached to the beams. The fastenings are wood screws. The fasteners are screwed in after creating the holes using a thin drill.
Attention! When driving nails, place two nails on all sides where the step meets the beam. If screws are used, one is enough.
At the bottom of the support beam of the next surface of the stepladder, it is important to build a crossbar that fixes the position and adds rigidity.
The upper parts of the structure are connected using bolts and washers. The gaps are drilled and a bolt is installed connecting the two supports. Then the nut and washer are attached. Everything is tightened, but not completely, so that the installation ensures folding.
At the level of the last step at the top of the support beams with reverse side nail another crossbar. Then the width of the installation step is determined. This is facilitated by mechanical holders that determine the opening width of the stepladder.
The platform is constructed from removable boards 4 cm thick. This is facilitated by an additional crossbar on the other side ladder installation. Finally, decorative processing is carried out.
To create a garden staircase you may need stone, sand, cement, concrete and decorative materials. They are suitable for areas located on slopes. In this case, there are main, side and path steps.
Features of the arrangement:
In the future, the concrete must be finished with tiles, bricks, and stones.
The width of the structure is 90-130 cm. The height of the tread is 20-35 cm.
If it is planned to create bulk steps, to install them in an inclined excavation between two levels of the site, risers are placed, and the voids between the boards are filled with earth. Budget option boards protrude and are used as risers between the terraces, placed on the edge with clamps made of pegs. The tread is compacted soil. To increase rigidity, stringers are used - side boards placed edgewise to secure steps. To prevent the boards from sagging, a peg is driven in with the installation.
To calculate the required number of steps and their parameters, you will need two slats fastened together at an angle of 90 degrees. The free part of the first rail is mounted at the location of the lower step, and the second part is placed at the location of the highest step.
Then the length of the steps is determined: the length of the horizontal rail is divided by the specified number of steps. The height of the steps is determined in the same way. The length of the vertical rail is taken as a basis.
The standard dimensions of stairs are 30-40 cm for treads and 10-12 cm for understeps. Multi-level transitions can have large parameters. Flowerpots are mounted on the sides, and a 70 cm high railing serves as a support for climbing plants. Traditionally, structures are equipped with 3-4 steps.
If it is necessary to create a steep slope with a march of 12-14 pieces, it is important to carry out the equipment landing on the fly.
Lighting is provided by lamps with a downward direction of light rays. Material with a textured surface is used for finishing. This could be grooved tiles or stone.
