Garden Steps and Ramps DIY

Changes in levels in a garden can be treated in a number of ways. However, the most popular are steps and ramps.

GARDEN STEPS

Any set of steps must be comfortable to use — the general rule of two times the height (riser) plus length (going or tread) equals 610 mm, plus or minus 20 mm (for example, [2 x 150] +300 = 600) will ensure comfortable steps. Most people like to use steps that have a riser of 150 mm to 175 mm with a tread of 250 mm to 300 mm. As the tread width increases, the rise lessens. Each step in a flight must be the same as the others otherwise they may be dangerous to use. In some situations other dimensions may be appropriate.

Garden steps can be made in many ways. Following are 2 some common methods:

• concrete poured in formwork
• brick with concrete slabs
• Solid bonded brick

• preformed concrete steps and risers

• Sleepers and fill
• Timber riser and fill

• brick riser and fill
• stone block
• timber stringers and treads

Among the most popular steps for gardens are preformed concrete steps or brickwork. The building of formwork and the subsequent pouring of concrete is not a job to be lightly undertaken. The formwork must be strong enough to withstand the forces of wet concrete being vibrated, and it is necessary to have the right skills and materials for the task.

However, precast concrete steps can be managed by most avid landscapers, and they are available in a number of widths. The step length is usually about 275 mm and the step height around 180 mm. These are comfortable step sizes for most people. Precast steps can be bedded in mortar or sand- cement mix, and you can work at the speed that suits you.

Steps can also be made of brickwork. The bricks should be dry-pressed, that is, without extrusion holes, if laid on flat (as opposed to on edge). If the soil is a stable, well-draining soil, the rough shape of the steps can be cut out of the soil as a foundation. If in any doubt, or the soil is clayey or unstable, the steps should be built on a concrete base, or a bed of compacted hardcore.

Given the size of bricks, two bricks laid on flat bedded in 10 mm of mortar, will give the required height of 172 mm. If bricks on edge are used, the step will be higher. Start the job from the lowest step or landing, and lay the first course of bricks on a mortar bed in the prepared area. The bricks are laid on flat to the required width of the step and a depth of twoand-a-half bricks.

The rise of the second step will need to start 300 mm from the nose of the bottom step, and likewise is built back twoand-a-half bricks: The top course of the first step is laid directly on this, set forward 35 mm. This gives the steps a more attractive appearance.

The steps are continued on in this fashion to the height of flight required.

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