The stairs in the garden are no longer just flat stones. Nowadays they are as diverse as the garden itself. Their basic function is to overcome height differences in the outdoor area, but they also serve as an important design element. Even the smallest garden stairs can add a beautiful accent to the garden and make it look more structured. However, due to the large selection of designs and materials, it is easy to lose track. We will introduce the different construction methods and materials for garden stairs in today's article.
The different construction methods at a glance
Properties located on a slopediffer greatly from those that are flat. They have multiple levels that can serve different outdoor purposes. To make it easier to manage the different sizes in the slope garden, you need stairs. When planning a garden staircase, a few factors are of central importance: What should the staircase look like? How high does it have to be? Do you need a handrail for more safety? Which materials are suitable? All of these things should be clarified in advance before having the outdoor stairs built.
There are different types of stairs in the garden depending on the construction method. The most famous of these are:
- Steps - here only the front edge of the step is anchored vertically in the ground and possibly tamped or concreted. The edge can be designed with either wooden beams or with stone or concrete slabs. There are many options for the tread surfaces: paving stones, rubble stones, gravel, bark mulch, etc.
- Block steps - the large blocks made of concrete or natural stone are laid on a base made of 20 cm of gravel and 2-3 cm of sand. For higher stairs, a concrete foundation is recommended.
- Leg steps – here there is a combination of steps and risers. A prerequisite for this construction method is a solid concrete foundation. Flat stone or pavement slabs are usually used as steps.
- Stick steps - this simple construction is similar to that of adjustable steps, but poles and wooden planks cut to size are used in the ground. The tread area is filled with either gravel, chippings, gravel or just soil.
- Freestanding garden stairs – for safety reasons, such stairs require railings and/or handrails.
Which materials for the stairs in the garden?
Concreteis perhaps the most common material for garden stairs. It is considered particularly durable and is also easy to process. Concrete steps look very modern and fit perfectly into the contemporary garden. Concrete blocks are often used to act as steps. In order for the garden stairs to be more stable, they also need a foundation. This is usually made of concrete and serves as the basis for most types of stairs in the garden.
Whether yourselfConcrete for your garden stairsSuitable basically depends on the style of the house and garden. If the natural look of concrete doesn't suit your outdoor area, you shouldn't necessarily do without it. Concrete can be enhanced with different colors, patterns and coatings so that it...perfect for any outdoor areafits.
Modern concrete garden stairs and treads are often installed so that they overlap each other or look a bit floating in the air. In combination with indirect lighting under the steps or greenery, the entire staircase looks even more original. If you want an outdoor staircase like this, consider hiring a landscape architect to do the job.
Stone or natural stoneis very popular in garden design. Whether granite, sandstone, slate, basalt or limestone, the options are really many. The material is also perfect for stairs in the garden because it is reminiscent of a typical natural landscape. However, it is important that the surface of the stone steps is not polished but left rough in order to keep the risk of slipping to a minimum.
Stone garden stairs can be built with or without a foundation. Paving stones and steps are suitable for low outdoor stairs with a more decorative purposeperfect. However, if it is a higher staircase with more than 3-4 steps, then a foundation made of poured concrete is necessary. This is frost-proof and keeps the stones in place.
Natural stone offers numerous design options for the stairs in the garden. They are available in every size and can also be customized in color to suit the outdoor area. In our picture gallery you will find many inspiring onesIdeasfor a stone garden staircase.
Holzis also onepopular material forthe garden, but should be used with caution. Smooth wooden surfaces quickly become slippery in rain or snow and need appropriate treatment. A garden staircase made of wooden planks should also have transverse grooves to prevent slipping.
Of all the variants for the stairs in the garden, this one is the bestHolzperhaps the cheapest. Wooden stairs can usually be made by do-it-yourselfers with a little experience and fit perfectly into a natural garden. The material is also often used in modern garden design, for example for terrace tiles and their connection to the different levels in the garden.
A major disadvantage of wood is the time-consuming maintenance it requires. The material is considered to be the most maintenance-intensive of all others and is therefore used less frequently in the construction of external stairs. Wood in the garden must be well impregnated with wood protection glaze and checked regularly. The best types of wood for garden stairs are Douglas fir, oak and larch.
The so-called stick staircase offers a simple and safe variant for a garden staircase made of wood. Stable wooden planks serve as a frame for the steps and the tread surface is sprinkled with chippings, gravel or mulch. More about this construction method and a DIY guide for oneYou can find outdoor stairs made of wood and gravel in this article.
A wooden staircase for the garden should not necessarily be made of wooden boards. On the Internet you can find many imaginative DIY projects for original staircase designs made of wooden logs. These always look very special andlend to the gardenan individual touch. Whether you put some old wooden trunks in the ground like in the example above or build an entire structure yourself is completely up to you.
Inspiring ideas for beautiful garden stairs
Below we have collected many pictures as inspiration for your new garden stairs! Browse through the wide variety of designs and materials and get inspiration for the stairs in your own garden!
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