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Stairs. Entry group. Materials. Doors. Locks. Design

» DIY garden staircase. Do-it-yourself soil stairs for the garden Steps made of old brick on a slope

DIY garden staircase. Do-it-yourself soil stairs for the garden Steps made of old brick on a slope

The steps are a very nice element landscape design in the country, and, of course, in this regard, those who have some elevation difference are lucky. Of course, if the site is completely on a slope, then this will not add joy, but if it is possible to create steps, then here is a selection of ideas that I took while traveling through parks and gardens.

However, even on a completely flat area, you can also make several steps, which will give the garden a special, unique charm and attractiveness.

In any garden there is a place from which you need to go down and up, for example, from a path to a patio. In some areas with a slope, you can arrange a couple or three steps or even a staircase.

If there are no elevation changes on your site, steps arranged in a special way will help add dynamics to a monotonous, flat garden.

Even one step can change the mood in the garden, creating an interesting transition from the play area to the lawn. Steps can also lead to decorative elements of the garden - a bench, sundial, statue, pond or fountain.

A cute staircase made of gravel or wood will give you the opportunity to explore the entire territory garden plot- green lawn, sunny lawns, quiet pond, vegetable beds, gazebo and flower beds.

Each staircase corresponds to a specific architectural style and special structure. Not only can attention be attracted marble stairs front entrances of mansions, but also touching wooden steps which will lead to the country house.

Paths, stairs and retaining walls must form a single composition in the garden, which should be practical and beautiful.

An example of the harmonious arrangement of a flower bed on a slope and a small composition of steps decorated with stone. The two sites are connected by this passage.

A simple idea for steps made from hollow cement blocks filled with fine crushed stone.

Differences in height may not be clearly expressed; in this case, you can dig somewhere and sprinkle somewhere to create a slight rise.

You can design the entrance to the site with a slight rise, for example two steps. In this case, the overall height will not allow rainwater to penetrate into your territory.

In the villages there is an opportunity to show your creative potential and in common areas, for example, jointly arrange a descent to a river or a spring.

Another example of a small composition consisting of a retaining wall and steps.

Sometimes the connecting element can be a real wooden staircase with railings, for example, rising from a river or pond.

Fundamental steps from natural stone, the idea, of course, is far from budgetary. But even if you take just one such flat stone, you can create some kind of composition.

The idea of ​​steps with slightly concave centers caught my eye in one of the parks. The vertical elements are made of brick, and the internal filling is made of small crushed stone.

One of simple ideas garden steps made of thick timber. You can use wooden sleepers as a base if you have such an opportunity.

The patio area for relaxation can be formed at some elevation, for example in two steps. Both natural flagstone and concrete imitation can be used as steps.

That's all I have for today! I hope that these ideas will allow you to make decisions about arranging your site. Follow the updates, come back daily, I always have something interesting for you for inspiration and garden creativity.

For dachas, land unsuitable for cultivation is usually allocated Agriculture– steep slopes and steep banks of water bodies. In this regard, to develop the site, it is necessary to build on the slopes concrete stairs(concrete steps), allowing for construction on your own.

Where to start?

Before starting “earth” and “concrete” work, it is necessary to calculate the number of steps. In turn, in order to calculate the number of steps, it is necessary to determine the height of the slope using the following simple technology.




  • At the highest point of the slope, a small wooden or metal peg is driven in;
  • Below, at the base of the slope, a man stands with a long stick resting on the ground;
  • The peg and stick are connected with twine, which is pulled strictly horizontally. Horizontality is checked with a regular building level.

The distance from the ground to the place where the twine is attached to a long stick is the height of your slope - you can begin to calculate the number and size of steps. To make movement along the steps safe and comfortable, it is necessary to combine treads and under steps according to the attached table:

Tread width, mm Height under steps, mm
450 110
430 125-130
400 140
380 150
330 165-170

The number of steps is calculated as follows: divide the height of the slope in millimeters by the height of the steps in millimeters, and thus obtain the number of steps. If the calculation fails to obtain an integer number of steps, you will need to either increase the height of the slope or remove the soil at its base.

The width of the steps should be at least 300 mm, but it is better that the steps have a width of 600 mm (to allow two people to move).

Construction stages

Using pegs and string, mark the contours of the future flight of stairs. Next, using pegs and twine, the number of steps and the width of the treads are marked. Starting from the top step, we take out the soil and form the rough contours of the steps. On large flights of stairs (10 steps or more) it is recommended to fill concrete base. This is necessary to strengthen the lower riser and thus insure it from sliding and subsequent destruction.

To do this, a trench is opened under the first riser, which should be twice as wide as its width, 100 mm longer than the length of the step and 100 mm deeper. The trench is filled with crushed stone (broken brick, slag or other solid stone waste) and filled with concrete grade M200-M250. The base is leveled and left for two weeks to dry completely.

Next, the plank formwork is assembled at the prepared site. The formwork can be of two design options: for all shear steps or for each step separately. In the first option, the formwork design should exactly follow the contours of the future staircase. Using a hammer, the formwork is pushed slightly into the ground and the correct installation is checked.

Drainage is poured into the base of each step - a cushion of crushed stone, broken bricks or slag. In this case, the drains should not reach the formwork. To increase the strength of the steps, reinforcement with wire with a diameter of 5-6 mm is used. Concrete is prepared in the following proportion of components: 1 part M400 cement, three parts sifted sand, three parts crushed stone fraction 5-10 mm.

Pouring the structure with simultaneous operations: compaction by so-called “bayoneting” and leveling the surface until water appears on the surface of the filled steps and ironing. The formwork is dismantled 72 hours after pouring.

If the formwork option is used separately for each step, four boards are connected to each other (preferably with wood screws). The resulting “box” is installed on each step and, one by one, “from bottom to top”, each individual step is filled. Important! When pouring the structure, it is necessary to make a slight slope of the tread surface away from the slope to drain the water.

Sometimes on summer cottage There is a natural difference in elevation. As a rule, the owners of the site try to improve such a hillock. And the most the best option- construction of stairs. This makes walking around the site much more convenient, and provides another opportunity to create beautiful flower borders.

Such a staircase can be adapted for any area where there is at least a small slide.

You will need:
· Boards measuring 200 x 50 mm. You can take a new one construction material, but disassembled pallet stands or pallets can be used with the same success. In principle, you can take any boards that have already been used.
· Large crushed stones, stones, brick fragments.
· Slag.
· Metal fastenings.
· Screws and nails.

In addition, you will need the following tool:
· shovel;
· screwdriver;
· building level;
· saw.

Please note that the proposed staircase construction option excludes the concreting stage. And this significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the entire process.

Step #1
The photo (see above) shows a staircase with a step width of 1.2 m. The length of the sides will vary depending on the depth of the staircase bend. In this case, the length of the outer edge will always be greater than the inner one.

We will not need a foundation here, but the excavation stage is not excluded. So, let's begin. It is necessary to remove the layer of earth at the site of the first step, forming a flat platform.

Step #2
Now you can start assembling the mold for the step. Here you only need to decide on the size. Do not forget that the depth (pitch) of the step and its length must be the same for all workpieces. Otherwise, the staircase will look sloppy.

Only the opposite sides of the step blank box will be different - internal and external. Because it is they who form the beautiful bend of the staircase.

Do not forget to carry out preventive treatment of wooden step boxes against rotting. Here you can purchase specialized preparations or paint, or you can also use improvised means, in particular, drying oil or used machine oil (at least inside the box).

Step #3
Now you can start assembling the ladder. The lower stage is set first. It should have a slight slope so that rainwater did not accumulate on the steps.

You can control this stage of work using a building level.

We continue to work, digging niches in the ground for each step individually (see photo). This way, you will take into account the slope of the site and be able to create the necessary curvature.

But under no circumstances change the height of the steps, as this will make walking up the stairs uncomfortable.

Step #4
After all the steps have been set, they must be secured. To do this, fix the frame of each step in the places of contact with each other using cutting boards (inside the staircase boxes).

The board must be fastened in four places (in all corners) to ensure maximum rigidity.

Step #5
To prevent the ladder from moving during operation, it must be well secured.

Long metal plates with a hole for fastening (see photo) need to be driven deep into the ground. Upper part fix with a screw.

We use this type of fastening in several places for each step box.

Step #6
Now that the staircase frame is assembled and fixed, you can begin filling it.

Large stones are laid out first (you can take a brick). It is desirable that they be hard and not crumble.

We do not fill the boxes completely. Leave a few centimeters of free space at the top.

Step #8
Now the slag layer needs to be compacted thoroughly.

You can use a hand roller if you have one. Or you can build a device - a “pusher” as in the photo.

Step #9
Now we fill the degree form to the end, using granite chips, coarse sand, you can add a little clay to it.

We level the layer with a spatula and finally spray the steps with water using a sprinkler.

Not everyone can boast of a perfectly flat dacha plot without differences in height. And sometimes gardeners deliberately create multi-level gardens to make the landscape more interesting and the garden picturesque. In this case, it is quite difficult to do without steps that will help you move between tiers. Such steps can perform not only a practical, but also a decorative function. If you decide to organize steps in your garden, we offer you a selection of ideas that will help you achieve your plan.

Let's consider the first option of steps, which are suitable for large gentle slopes, since each step is quite wide.

The staircase frame is made from large wooden beams, which are assembled into a solid structure using appropriate fasteners. Emptiness inside wooden formwork can be filled with pebbles or crushed stone.

Such steps look original; water does not accumulate on their surface, since it seeps through the backfill. The disadvantages include the need to periodically add crushed stone, as it can spill over the sides.

If you liked the technology described above, but need a more compact and simpler staircase, the beams can be replaced with boards and the length of the steps can be reduced. A staircase made using this technology can be made curved more easily.

If you want to approach the construction of stairs in the garden thoroughly, pay attention to more durable and durable materials, brick and concrete.

There are several approaches here. So, for example, the outer walls of the steps can be made of brick, the cavities can be filled with crushed stone, and a concrete plates.

There is another option. The steps are cast in concrete and the front edge is lined with brick. In this case, you will have to use formwork. It makes sense to use this approach if each step is long enough.

If you want to be original, you can use railroad sleepers to make steps. You can also use sleepers to pave a garden path. Fill the gaps between them with mortar or fill with large crushed stone. It turns out quite interesting.

Sleepers can also be used instead of formwork for pouring concrete steps. The option is not much different from the first, but such steps will look more original, especially if the sleepers are old.

IN Lately gardeners refuse to use concrete garden paths in favor paving slabs. When dismantling old paths, you may be left with many large pieces of concrete, which can also be used to create original garden steps.

If money is not a problem, the steps can be made from stone slabs. True, for this you need to have good skills in construction, or use the services professional builders with appropriate equipment.

Decorate the ordinary concrete steps possible with the help of fragments ceramic tiles. Such a staircase will look more fun and interesting.

Remember that the steps do not have to be geometrically perfect. Here is an example of how you can do it interesting staircase using randomly laid concrete blocks.


Many gardens have at least one place where you may need to step up or down from one level to another - for example, when moving from a path to a patio or from a lawn to a driveway. The first thing that comes to mind when the need arises to somehow formalize such a transition is ladder. However, it is worth considering whether it would be better to make a gentle concrete ramp: it may not look as beautiful, but it will undoubtedly make your life easier if you have to transport a heavy lawn mower from one level to another.

And yet, in most cases they prefer to build not a ramp, but stairs. There are two main types stairs. Embedded stairs It’s easier to make - its steps are cut into the slope, and they rest on the ground. Free ladder adjacent to vertical wall and leads from one horizontal level to another. The simplest stairs Even an amateur can do it, but construction complex stairs It is better to entrust brick work to professionals.

The choice of building materials is extremely wide. Bricks and blocks are most often used for risers, but stone, rounded logs and railroad ties are also used. The favorite material for treads today is slabs, but they are also made from gravel, brick, natural stone, bark, paving blocks and wood. Whatever material you choose, do not forget that ladder should be safe, comfortable and beautiful. Safety comes first. The majority of gardening accidents requiring hospital treatment involve falls. stairs. All risers must be the same height, and the treads must be the same width - their dimensions must not exceed those indicated in the figure. In addition, treads should never be slippery - never make them from smooth concrete or smooth slabs. Use only paving bricks and remember to clean stairs from algae and moss.

Ladder should be comfortable. Make the steps durable and wide enough so that they can be walked on and carried without problems garden tools. Appearance stairs- a matter of taste, but there are several general rules. For example, curved stairs considered more attractive than straight ones; the material from which it is made ladder, should fit organically into the surrounding environment and be combined with the material of adjacent paths, patios and walls.

The treads do not have to be rectangular - in some conditions it will look impressive ladder with round or hexagonal steps. In a semi-wild garden ladder made of logs and bark can successfully replace the popular construction of brick and slabs.

One last word of caution. Before you start staircase arrangement, carefully design it and make the steps so wide that you can use whole slabs or sleepers, since cutting them to size is extremely labor-intensive.

: 1. landing- wide tread between marches; 2. Tread - that part of the step that is stepped on with the foot. The treads are made 30-45 cm wide. To prevent rainwater from accumulating on the stairs, the treads are tilted slightly towards the base by 1-1.5 cm stairs; 3. Riser - the vertical part of the step that separates one tread from the other. Riser height - 10-18 cm; 4. Tread of the step - the tread from the slab should hang over the riser by about 2.5 cm. This will make stairs more beautiful and will reduce the risk of slipping; 5. Foundation. The basis for the embedded staircase is the slope itself (see below). For free stairs, if it has no more than five steps, you need a belt concrete foundation under the side walls, and at a height stairs in five or more steps - a solid concrete foundation; 6. Stair slab necessary if ladder goes directly onto the lawn.

Stage 1. Mark the steps of the stairs in the slope

Accurately measure the height of the slope and calculate the number of steps stairs. Remove the soil as shown in the picture. Please note that under the staircase slab there should be a layer of crushed stone 7-8 cm thick and the same layer of concrete. Compact the ground.

Stage 2. Lay the stair slab and the first riser

Once the concrete has hardened, place the stair slab on a thin layer of mortar and lay out the first riser using blocks or paving bricks.

Stage 3. Lay the first tread

Lay the first tread. Fill the space behind the first riser with crushed stone and compact it well. The surface of the crushed stone should be flush with the riser. Apply the mortar and lay the first tread slabs.

Stage 4. Complete the construction of the stairs

Continue laying risers, filling the space behind them with crushed stone, and laying treads with mortar until you reach the top of the slope. Fill the remaining ones on the sides and at the base. stairs stairs plants and (or) large stones.

Stage 1. Prepare the base of the stairs

Dig a shallow trench along the entire length of the slope. Compact the bottom of the trench with a roller, tamper, or feet.

Stage 2. Drive in the first pegs

As shown in the picture, drive two sharpened pegs into the ground on which the first log will rest.

Stage 3. Lay the first log

Cut logs for risers and soak them in antiseptic for several days. Place the log close to the pegs and fill the space behind it with ballast, compact and level the surface. The ballast layer should be approximately 5 cm below the top of the log.

Stage 4. Lay down the remaining logs

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you reach the top of the slope.

Stage 5. Complete the construction of the stairs

Make a tread of gravel or shredded bark on each step. Compact and level the tread material. Fill the remaining ones on the sides stairs ditches with earth. Decorate the edges stairs plants and (or) stones.

There are dacha plots that have very uneven terrain. Leveling the ground on a slope can be very difficult. But this is by no means a disadvantage if you use a little imagination. Did you get a plot with a slope? Do not despair! My friends, today we’ll talk about how to make steps and stairs in the garden.

I also planned steps on my site, because... we have it. Lots of ideas! Oh I'll turn around!!! In this article I will tell you what material the steps are made of, how to calculate the size of the steps and much more!

On our own stairs and steps Of course, they carry an important functional load in the garden - they connect the multi-level zones of the site with each other. The dimensions used for the construction of stairs inside and outside the house are slightly different from those used for garden stairs.

Width of garden stairs usually depends on the width of the tracks that it connects with each other. It is worth noting, however, that it is better to have wide, gentle stairs in the garden, since a steep and narrow approach can significantly ruin your walk through the garden.



Garden staircase should not be very long. If the slope is quite steep, it is better to build a structure with several “rest areas”. This will make climbing (walking) easier and add charm to the garden landscape.



Materials for garden stairs a wide variety of materials are selected: natural stone, brick, concrete blocks or monolithic concrete, wood. Or a combination of these materials. But the determining factor should be general style home or garden. Let's say a wide granite staircase leading to a modest wooden house looks, to put it mildly, ridiculous. Remember this!
For those who prefer modern design, it is better to choose concrete: artificial concrete slabs are now available in a variety of colors.



Availability and security- the main points that should be paid attention to when constructing stairs. They must be reliable in any weather. In areas that tend to be shady and damp, make the stairs out of stone or concrete slabs with a special rough surface. My boys, like any other children, of course, love to run up the stairs. So, those who have children should especially take this into account.

Construction of a garden staircase.

- First you need to calculate how many steps the staircase will have, calculate their height and length. Let's find out! The length of a person’s step is approximately 62-64 cm, and a comfortable rise of the leg is 30-32 cm. Based on this, the tread and rise are determined as follows: 2a + b = 64 cm or a + 6 = 47 cm, where a is the height of the step , b - step width.

- On the slope you need to mark the contours of the steps. This can be done by anyone bulk material, for example, cereals, flour. Then you need to remove upper layer land. It is important not to forget about a slight slope to drain rainwater.

- We construct formwork from boards that follows the contours of the future staircase, according to existing calculations and measurements. Having installed the boards, you need to drive them into the ground a little by tapping them with a hammer. Don't forget to check the correct placement of the formwork using a building level.

- A bar should be placed along the front edge of each step so that it can be seen how to make stairs in the garden. Then the ground under the future steps must be thoroughly compacted; you can fill it with crushed stone or bricks.

- Then a cement solution is made (one part cement plus four parts sand) mixed thoroughly, with the gradual addition of water until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Then crushed stone is added to the mass, and everything is thoroughly mixed again.

- When the solution is ready, the base of the steps needs to be moistened. Having poured the solution, it needs to be pierced, so to speak, with a shovel, so that there are no voids left. Then you need to level the mixture with a lath with smooth edges (rule).

- Leave the structure for a day until it hardens completely. The formwork can be removed and the edges of the stairs can be decorated with stone or wood.

As you can see, making a staircase in the garden yourself is not at all difficult.

The staircase is ready! You can decorate it, giving it a slightly “aged look” so that it merges into one with the landscape of the site. Harmony is needed everywhere!

Flowering steps on the site.

Having built the steps, it is necessary to give them a finished look so that they finally, so to speak, fit into the landscape of the garden. Let's look at a few ways to help decorate your wonderful staircase.

1. For example, you can decorate the spaces between the steps (risers) with plants. Skillful use of this technique will not only help to fit them into any landscape, but will also make such stairs the best decorative elements of the garden. The range of plants used in our conditions is not very wide, but if you wish, you can choose something. Here, for example, several types of sedum are suitable. And of course, friends, adjustments must be made for local operating conditions.



It is clear that you cannot blindly copy what is shown in the photo. Design of steps for Russia with its snowy winters should be slightly different. But we are talking about general principles!

2. Plant plants along the edges of the steps: creeping speedwell, various types and varieties of primroses, tomentosa, armeria seaside, mountain chickweed, aubrieta, Carpathian bellflower, various carnations, three-lobed liverwort, saxifrage, awl-shaped phlox - this is just a short list of low-growing flowers. Heathers and lavender (dwarf) look stunning near the steps.



They will look great various varieties cereals Can be planted low growing shrubs, such as boxwood, lingonberry, honeysuckle, etc. Let's not forget about the beautiful hosta!


3. Place nearby various animal figurines, clay pots, again with flowers or small stones, and jugs. Of course, all this should not interfere with walking up the stairs.



4. Decorate recreation areas with small architectural forms (statues, mini fountains). Place a bench or chair and “forget” them in a secluded place.

STAIRS IN THE GARDEN

Design.

Steps and stairs in the garden carry a fairly important functional load. They connect zones of the site at different levels. But they can be viewed not only from the functional side. Skillful design can turn them into decorative elements, which will largely determine the overall appearance of the garden.

Unfortunately, not all areas are level. There are also areas with very uneven terrain. Of course, it is very difficult to completely level a site that is located on a slope. And only by using your rich imagination, you can turn this disadvantage into an advantage. And a ladder will help with this, which is needed primarily on land plots with a fairly steep elevation change, as it provides easy and safe access to hard-to-reach areas or places.

Some gardens have at least one place where you often need to go down or up from one level to another. Two or three steps are just enough for such a transition to another part of the garden, for an “elevated approach” to a gazebo, bench or sculpture. In addition, if the house or yard are at different levels, then in this case you will need steps.
But not only in areas of different levels are steps useful - even on level ground, stairs or individual steps will not be superfluous. Flat terrain looks rather monotonous and boring, which cannot be said about different descents and ascents, even just one or two steps, which will introduce certain dynamics into the space around you and, undoubtedly, change the appearance of the garden.
In any case, a miniature ladder, through which you can climb higher and survey your possessions, will not hurt.

The architectural style, as well as the engineering solution of the stairs, largely depends on where they are intended to be placed. It is important to correctly determine the dimensions and proportions of not only the entire staircase, but also its individual steps.
The steps must be made commensurate with the width and steepness of the climb. Naturally, all steps should have the same height, which in turn will avoid possible injuries. Also keep in mind such a detail as the slope of the steps, which is advisable to do so that water after rain does not stagnate on the steps, but flows to the ground. It is best to make the slope approximately one to two percent of the tread depth.
The width of the staircase usually depends on the width of the paths that it connects with each other. In the garden, it is best to build wide, gentle stairs, since a steep and narrow approach can quite spoil the walk. In addition, a wide staircase looks much more beautiful than a narrow one. On the wide steps you can place small trees or beautifully blooming and pleasantly smelling flowers in pots. But at the same time, the part of the stairs left for passage should not be less than sixty centimeters - this is the minimum that is necessary for the passage of one person.
Besides garden stairs Don't make it too long. In such areas, which are located on steep slopes, it will be necessary to build several spans on which rest areas will be located.

Another question that may arise is: what is the best number of steps for a staircase? However, there is simply no clear answer to this question. Some believe that there should be at least three or four, because one or two steps are simply not perceived as a full-fledged staircase and are sometimes not noticed. Some, on the contrary, prefer gentle slopes, not wanting to have high terraces, since they require the construction retaining walls. In any case, stairs with more than fifteen steps must be separated by a wide landing. And if their height is more than seventy centimeters, then they must be equipped with railings. In general, any staircase on steep slope It is advisable to equip it with railings, at least on one side.

Availability and security.

A variety of materials are selected for stairs: it can be natural stone, concrete blocks, brick, wood, monolithic concrete, and so on. A combination of materials is also possible. But the main determining factor is still the overall style of the house or garden. For example, a wide staircase made of granite and which leads to a modest wooden house looks a little ridiculous, even, as well as vice versa - a simple staircase leading to a luxurious house. Slabs made of natural stone or wood are well suited for romance. It will look more beautiful if you cover the paths and recreation areas with the same material. Most often they are made from slabs front surface steps, and the base is made of concrete. The wood must be impregnated with an antiseptic. The natural effect emphasizes the lateral displacement of the steps relative to each other.

The main points that you should pay close attention to when constructing stairs are accessibility and safety. The staircase must be reliable in any weather, so it is better not to make steps made of wood or clinker in dark places where they are difficult to notice - in rainy weather You can easily slip on them. In addition, it is undesirable to make the steps completely smooth: in wet weather you can easily slip on them. In damp corners, a stone with a rough texture is best suited for stairs. These can be concrete slabs with a treated, rough surface.
The lighting of the staircase is also of considerable importance, especially if it will be used more actively at night. At this time of day, each step of the stairs should be clearly visible. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully construct the lighting system, as well as the laying of the electrical cable. Most often, lamps are directed downwards towards the ground. They will not blind anyone passing by and at the same time provide enough light so that you can confidently walk up the steps.
We should also talk about the design of the staircase. After all, there are as many gardens as there are stairs. There are countless design options - from a combination of materials, stone color to complex paving patterns. One of possible options design can be like this: bushes and climbing or creeping plants are planted between the steps, which will soften the hard lines.

Compatibility with the style of the house is also an important detail. A wooden staircase will fit into a rustic garden without any problems. Stairs made of monolithic concrete, which are decorated with brick or tiles, are most suitable for a Victorian-style garden. Wrought iron railings will also be in place.
If you have equipped your staircase with taste, complemented it with beautiful flowerpots, flowers in pots, and thoughtfully thought out the lighting or backlighting, then your staircase will undoubtedly become one of the important elements your garden, but you can consider yourself a professional. And the ups and downs will give your garden that unusual charm, which will give your garden its own individuality and uniqueness.

How to make steps in a summer cottage

Not everyone can boast of a perfectly flat dacha plot without differences in height. And sometimes gardeners deliberately create multi-level gardens to make the landscape more interesting and the garden picturesque. In this case, it is quite difficult to do without steps that will help you move between tiers. Such steps can perform not only a practical, but also a decorative function. If you decide to organize steps in your garden, we offer you a selection of ideas that will help you achieve your plan.

Let's consider the first option of steps, which are suitable for large gentle slopes, since each step is quite wide.

The staircase frame is made of large wooden beams, which are assembled into a solid structure using appropriate fasteners. The voids inside wooden formwork can be filled with pebbles or crushed stone.

Such steps look original; water does not accumulate on their surface, since it seeps through the backfill. The disadvantages include the need to periodically add crushed stone, as it can spill over the sides.

If you liked the technology described above, but need a more compact and simpler staircase, the beams can be replaced with boards and the length of the steps can be reduced. A staircase made using this technology can be made curved more easily.

If you want to approach the construction of stairs in the garden thoroughly, pay attention to stronger and more durable materials, brick and concrete.

There are several approaches here. For example, the outer walls of the steps can be made of brick, the cavities can be filled with crushed stone, and concrete slabs can be laid on top.

There is another option. The steps are cast in concrete and the front edge is lined with brick. In this case, you will have to use formwork. It makes sense to use this approach if each step is long enough.

If you want to be original, you can use railroad sleepers to make steps. You can also use sleepers to pave a garden path. Fill the gaps between them with mortar or fill with large crushed stone. It turns out quite interesting.

Sleepers can also be used instead of formwork for pouring concrete steps. The option is not much different from the first, but such steps will look more original, especially if the sleepers are old.

Recently, gardeners have been abandoning concrete-filled garden paths in favor of paving slabs. When dismantling old paths, you may be left with many large pieces of concrete, which can also be used to create original garden steps.

If money is not a problem, the steps can be made from stone slabs. True, for this you need to have good construction skills, or use the services of professional builders with the appropriate equipment.

You can decorate ordinary concrete steps using fragments of ceramic tiles. Such a staircase will look more fun and interesting.

Remember that the steps do not have to be geometrically perfect. Here is an example of what can be done using randomly laid concrete blocks.

Sometimes there is a natural difference in elevation in a summer cottage. As a rule, the owners of the site try to improve such a hillock. And the best option is to build a staircase. This makes walking around the site much more convenient, and provides another opportunity to create beautiful flower borders.

Such a staircase can be adapted for any area where there is at least a small slide.

You will need:
· Boards measuring 200 x 50 mm. You can take new building material, but disassembled pallets or pallets can be used with the same success. In principle, you can take any boards that have already been used.
· Large crushed stones, stones, brick fragments.
· Slag.
· Metal fastenings.
· Screws and nails.

In addition, you will need the following tool:
· shovel;
· screwdriver;
· building level;
· saw.

Please note that the proposed staircase construction option excludes the concreting stage. And this significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the entire process.

Step #1
The photo (see above) shows a staircase with a step width of 1.2 m. The length of the sides will vary depending on the depth of the staircase bend. In this case, the length of the outer edge will always be greater than the inner one.

We will not need a foundation here, but the excavation stage is not excluded. So, let's begin. It is necessary to remove the layer of earth at the site of the first step, forming a flat platform.

Step #2
Now you can start assembling the mold for the step. Here you only need to decide on the size. Do not forget that the depth (pitch) of the step and its length must be the same for all workpieces. Otherwise, the staircase will look sloppy.

Only the opposite sides of the step blank box will be different - internal and external. Because it is they who form the beautiful bend of the staircase.

Do not forget to carry out preventive treatment of wooden step boxes against rotting. Here you can purchase specialized preparations or paint, or you can also use improvised means, in particular, drying oil or used machine oil (at least inside the box).

Step #3
Now you can start assembling the ladder. The lower stage is set first. It should have a slight slope so that rainwater does not accumulate on the steps.

You can control this stage of work using a building level.

We continue to work, digging niches in the ground for each step individually (see photo). This way, you will take into account the slope of the site and be able to create the necessary curvature.

But under no circumstances change the height of the steps, as this will make walking up the stairs uncomfortable.

Step #4
After all the steps have been set, they must be secured. To do this, fix the frame of each step in the places of contact with each other using cutting boards (inside the staircase boxes).

The board must be fastened in four places (in all corners) to ensure maximum rigidity.

Step #5
To prevent the ladder from moving during operation, it must be well secured.

Long metal plates with a hole for fastening (see photo) need to be driven deep into the ground. We fix the upper part with a screw.

We use this type of fastening in several places for each step box.

Step #6
Now that the staircase frame is assembled and fixed, you can begin filling it.

Large stones are laid out first (you can take a brick). It is desirable that they be hard and not crumble.

We do not fill the boxes completely. Leave a few centimeters of free space at the top.

Step #8
Now the slag layer needs to be compacted thoroughly.

You can use a hand roller if you have one. Or you can build a device - a “pusher” as in the photo.

Step #9
Now we fill the degree form to the end, using granite chips, coarse sand, you can add a little clay to it.

We level the layer with a spatula and finally spray the steps with water using a sprinkler.