Not always the entire site is located in the same horizontal plane.
If there is a difference in the heights of the relief on the site, then the best option for overcoming them comfortably and safely is a ladder. The staircase can simultaneously perform both a functional purpose and become an important architectural element of the site. In some cases, even a few steps will be able to transform the entire landscape of the site, make it attractive.
If you are planning a long staircase, then it is best to make it not straight, but slightly curved, this will give it some elegance. If there is enough space, it is recommended to make wide spans or small platforms after several steps, you can install benches for rest on them. The presence of platforms will give the stairs a more natural look and ease of construction.
One of the important elements of the stairs are its edges. They can be made in the form of borders made of the same stone as the steps, in the form of forged handrails, in the form of benches, etc. These options are more suitable for stairs that lead directly to the house. If the staircase is located in the depths of the garden, then the ideal option would be the absence of any curbs. In this case, the staircase looks natural, merging with the plants. Your imagination will tell you what kind of staircase to make.
So, one of the good examples can be stairs made of stone slabs of various sizes, organically looking among stones and plants; from stone blocks of the correct form, having a strict appearance and high reliability; steps made of wooden sleepers, having an original and intriguing look; stairs built from colored figured paving elements of various colors and shapes, looking elegant and bright; or even an ordinary garden earth staircase, which has restrictive logs and wooden handrails at the edge of the steps. Regardless of which material you choose, a ladder must always provide a safe climb. On the surface of the steps there should not be smooth planes, so you should not make steps from smooth wood or polished stone.
Try to use elements with high roughness or corrugated elements (longitudinal notches). If the staircase is in the shade of trees, then it is better not to choose sandstone or slate as a material, since in humid places this material will quickly become overgrown with moss and become slippery.
Try to keep the height in the march approximately the same, even if it is performed from solid stones. Spend more time to deepen the stone into the ground, as even one step, larger or smaller, can become a kind of “trap” for the walker. On such a step there is a high probability of stumbling or stumbling, especially if the flight of stairs has a decent length.
When designing a staircase, you must follow a few rules that will allow you to make the staircase not only beautiful, but also comfortable in everyday use. So, a staircase is considered convenient, in which the height of the steps is in the range of 12 – 15 cm, and their depth is about 40 cm. However, in the depths of the garden, among the plants, a staircase with lower and deeper steps will look great. The optimal width for stairs is considered to be about 120 cm. With this width, two people walking towards a meeting can pass each other without any problems, and besides, a staircase of this width fits perfectly into the common space. In order to prevent the accumulation of melted snow or rainwater on the steps, it is necessary to carry out a slight slope of the steps within 1 – 2%.
Before proceeding with the construction of stairs, it is necessary to accurately calculate the number of steps. To do this, we take the height difference of the site and divide by the estimated height of the steps. Consider several options for arranging stairs. One of the most practical staircase options is a concrete staircase with a decorative coating.
It is characterized by high strength and durability. It can be arranged even on the steepest slopes. At the beginning of work, it is necessary to equip a concrete foundation under the first (lower) step of the stairs. The depth of the foundation should be within 40 – 80 cm, depending on the permeability of the soil (the higher the permeability of the soil, the thinner the foundation). Under the steps, it is necessary to dig a pit with a depth of about 50 cm. At the very bottom of the pit, crushed stone (15 cm) is poured out and compacted, then a layer of sand (10-15 cm) is placed and also carefully compacted. After that, the formwork is installed, concrete is poured and steps are formed.
When pouring steps, it is necessary to arrange an expansion (compensation) seam between them. The appearance of the stairs depends on the color, shape and relief of the finishing material used. As a facing material, clinker bricks, small pebbles, paving stones or stone slabs are perfect. One of the easiest to manufacture is a staircase made of concrete or stone slabs. To begin with, it is necessary to cut the soil in the slope and tamp the surface with special care. Under the first (lower) degree, it is necessary to equip a concrete foundation. After setting the foundation, a cement or stone slab is placed on the mortar so that it is flush with the ground. After that, it is necessary to make a small riser from a chipped stone, which is placed on the lower step on the cement mortar, and another step (slab) rests on top of it.
Similarly, the process of building steps is repeated until the top point is reached. The top slab must also be laid at ground level. As a bedding under the slabs, it is necessary to use a well-compacted cement-sand bedding. Plates are recommended to use at least 7 cm thick. One of the cheapest options is gravel or earth stairs. This ladder is recommended to be performed in places with smooth changes in the level of the relief and with soils that have high permeability. Places for the planned steps are cut out in the slope, starting from the lowest point.
The outer edge of the step must be securely reinforced. This can be done in several ways, for example, you can lay a curbstone, sleeper, round timber or a few oblong stones, and drive in a few pegs for fixing. The entire space of the steps is first covered with crushed stone of a fine fraction and tamped, then with crushed stone of a larger fraction and also tamped.
Please note that in this case, river pebbles are not suitable as a filler, as they have rounded edges, do not jam well and will quickly crumble.
Clay or crushed stone mixed with sand can be excellent as a coating.
When choosing the type of stairs and the type of material used for it, first of all, you should pay attention to the convenience and safety of operation, as well as the fact that the stairs are combined and complement the sidewalk paths and architectural elements of the garden or yard.