• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
    • DIY & self build
    • Pets
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Home & garden
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
    • DIY & self build
    • Pets
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Home & garden
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Building steps

Building steps

Summary: Learn how to build garden steps.


Some gardens are on two or more levels, which will require paths on different levels to be linked by steps.


To measure the slope, attach a length of string to a beanpole at the bottom of the slope and tie the other end to a peg at the top, making sure the string is level.
Once you have marked out the width of the steps on the slope, and each step, you can dig out the steps.
Excavate a base on the first tread 6in deep and twice the width of the bricks you are using and fill it with a 100mm base of hardcore, and then pour a layer of concrete on top.
Position the slabs on a 10mm deep layer of mortar, leaving a small gap between them and check they are level.

How to build steps

  • To work out the number of steps needed, divide the height of the slope by the height of one riser (include slab and mortar height).
  • The easiest way to measure the slope is to attach a length of string to a beanpole at the bottom of the slope and tie the other end to a peg at the top of the slope, making sure the string is level.
  • Then measure the distance between the string and the ground at the bottom of the slope.
  • Using a string line, mark out the width of the steps on the slope, and mark the front of each step, checking they are the correct sizes.
  • When you have dug the steps, compact the soil on each tread with a rammer.
  • Excavate a base on the first tread 6in deep and twice the width of the bricks you are using.
  • Fill this base with a 100mm (4in) base of hardcore, and then pour a layer of concrete on top.
  • Once the concrete has set, lay the first course of bricks for the riser, keeping the bricks level with the string line as you would when bricklaying.
  • Fill in the risers with hardcore until they are flush with the bricks and compress firmly by hand.
  • Position the slabs on a 10mm (½ in) deep layer of mortar, leaving a small gap between them.
  • Check that they are even with a spirit level.
  • Mark the position for the next riser onto the slab and repeat the process: mortar the bricks, add hardcore and lay the slabs. Continue in this way for the remaining steps.

Tools needed

  • String line
  • Tape measure
  • Spade
  • Rammer
  • Builder’s trowel
  • Spirit level
  • Pointing trowel

Materials needed

  • Cement
  • Sand
  • Aggregate
  • Bricks
  • Paving slabs

Related projects

  • Average cost of a greenhouse
  • Average cost of a shed
  • Average cost of block paving
  • Average cost of decking
  • Average cost of landscaping
  • Average cost of soil
  • Average cost of tree removal
  • Average cost to hire a cherry picker
  • Average cost to hire a mini digger
  • Average cost to lay turf
  • Average fence installation cost
  • Average patio cost
  • Building a barbeque
  • Building a garden shed
  • Building a greenhouse
  • Building a pergola
  • Building an arbour
  • Building an exterior block screen
  • Building steps
  • Building a brick garden wall
  • How to build strip foundations
  • Creating a garden path
  • Laying concrete outdoors
  • Pointing brick and blockwork joints
Recent Comments
  • Ted on Product Review: Erbauer ERO400 125mm electric random orbital sander
  • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
Latest News
1

Product Review: Erbauer ERO400 125mm electric random orbital sander

0

Product Review: DeWalt DCF787 brushless cordless impact driver

0

The UK’s ambitious drive towards energy efficiency – Exploring the pros and cons of heat pump systems

0

Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

Popular Guides

Average cost of an electrician

Average roof replacement cost

Average cost of a swimming pool

Average soundproofing cost

Popular Projects

Hanging a gate

How to replace a toilet

How to remove wallpaper

Damp proof membrane installation

DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

Self Build Guide
How to find a building plot
Evaluating a building plot (2023)
How to get a self build mortgage
Self build construction options
Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
Self build planning permission and legal consents
© 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild | Partner site:talkcosts.co.uk
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.