This client in Waterloo reached out to us to install new steps for their front entrance. They decided to choose a natural stone block steps to replace their falling apart wall block steps. Overtime they found that these wall block steps were falling apart and the adhesive was not holding any longer causing a potential safety hazard to their front steps. Instead of replacing their front steps with more wall block steps they decided they wanted something there solid so we chose our solid Natural Stone steps.
Unfortunately their steps were curved and their concrete driveway was installed to match that curve. What we did was removed the existing block steps and disposed of them and then cut a square into their curved concrete driveway to match the new steps that they would be getting. We then removed the existing base material and disposed of that to install a new base material for them. When we install steps we install a minimum 6 inch base for. We compact That base material and prepare slabs for the steps to sit on top of. These slabs make the installation of the steps a much smoother process while also providing a platform for the steps to sit on.
When installing more than one block step we need to set risers on the sides of the higher step for that higher step to then sit on top of. We place that first initial block step in front of these risers and then are able to install the second step on top of those risers to give our final height. Our steps are 7 inches in height which means we need 21 inches below the top of our porch to provide three equal step-downs. So that is how we measure where the top of our slabs will be placed to.
In this installation we saved the client money by not having to use our equipment on site. Instead we got our steps delivered and then using ice we place those steps on top of the ice so that our delivery driver can remove our forks easily from below the step without chipping anything. The ice melts and those steps fall into place where exactly where we wanted them to. This is a small step in the process that we can use to save our clients money in the installation process to meet their budget.
We also like to install a minimum of 14 inches for our step treads this gives our clients a solid platform for their foot rather than going to 12 in and their foot overhangs as they step onto each step. The steps are 6 feet wide to ensure that we are installing a step wide enough to cover the opening of their porch which is the wall of the house to the front pillar on the porch. This ensures no one will walk off the edge of the steps in place.
With our steps in place we then install some natural stone slabs to bridge the distance between the steps and the concrete driveway where we had to square cut it to remove the curve from the initial steps. These natural stone squares cut slabs match the same color as our natural stone steps.
Alternative to installing solid block natural stone steps, we can install wall block steps with natural stone coping caps on top of. This is typically around the same investment as solid block steps, but provides a different appeal and also allows for hardscape lighting to be installed underneath the caps. This provides safety be creating light on to each step at night while also looking aesthetically appealing.
And this is our final result of our natural stone steps.
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