Garden Steps 

Garden steps provide safe and beautiful transitions between two different grade elevations. This gives a garden a more interesting and dynamic composition. They are a great way to enhance the visual effect of the scenery.   

Stone is commonly used when constructing garden stairs. They easily blend into natural backgrounds. Landscaping steps have the power to transform a basic garden into an exquisite oasis. Natural stone incorporated into a garden gives a bold and dramatic appeal that is pleasing to the eyes.

Materials and Types of Garden Steps 

• Wooden Steps

Wooden steps are perfect for a strong, durable, and contemporary look to an area. The material can be custom-crafted according to the specifics of a garden. The best choice of wood for exterior steps depends on the design of the stairs and the environment.

• Treated Lumber: Strong and long-lasting. A well-suited choice for ground contact because it resists rot better than most wood products.
• Exotic Hardwoods: For the look of luxurious craftsmanship, use mahogany and teak. They are expensive but gorgeous. They require sealing and the occasional resealing to maintain their beauty over time. Each hardwood has a distinctive color and grain. 
• Cedar Treads and Risers: These are a great option for a refined look. They can survive almost as long as treated wood. They have a more sophisticated look and are typically more expensive. 

• Pine Painted Stairs: The beauty of pine is that it is easy to cut, easy to work with, and inexpensive. Ensure it is well painted to prevent rot from harsh weather elements.

• Concrete Steps

Concrete is one of the strongest materials for creating steps. Choosing the right type of concrete mix is essential. Here’s a look at the different types of mixes available:

• General-purpose sand-mix concrete: The best choice. The texture is fine enough to embed pebbles or decorative glass. Additionally, it easily accepts imprints. 
• Gravel-mix concrete: Use this concrete for that rough, pebbly surface on stepping stones. It is inexpensive. However, it cannot easily make imprints or embed glass and decorative pebbles. 
• Stepping Stone Concrete: It can be found in crafts stores. It is specially made for stepping stones and is quite expensive.

• Stepping Stones

Stepping stones allow one to move through a garden without disrupting the soil. They create amazing focal points and structure. These stones add a little magic to any garden by including uniquely designed stepping stones to the mix. These range from contemporary to rustic designs. They can be concrete step stones or made of stone. They can also be square or oblong.

Railway Sleeper Steps

Railway sleeper steps can be used to create a rough and ready pathway in a garden. They do not decompose easily. Over time, wooden railway sleepers have become a popular addition to the modern garden. They are cost-effective and possess a rustic quality. Additionally, materials such as cast iron, steel, and concrete are available.

Design Guidelines 

Outdoor steps must be designed for the utmost in safety and functionality.  They should be able to function in different environmental conditions. It is important that they provide safe routes for users to comfortably navigate outdoors. The proportion of each stair and the overall staircase must be planned accordingly.

• Stair Width: The required width of outdoor stairs is a minimum of 4 feet in a private setting and 5 feet in a public space. 
• Risers: The proportion of each individual stair should be noted. All stairs within a single staircase should be uniform in their dimensions. Risers – the vertical faces of each step – should be 6 inches whenever possible. This dimension provides the most user-friendly function.
• Treads:  The horizontal faces of each step should always be sized depending on the dimension of the risers. The standard range of dimensions for exterior treads is 11 to 18 inches. This is to provide the most ergonomic flow. Use the formula below to determine tread length:

 (2x Riser Height) + Tread Length = 24 to 26”

• Landings: Landings are the flat breaks between stairs that allow users to navigate up and down effortlessly. As a rule, landings should always be separated vertically by 5 feet. This allows users to see each landing as they ascend the stairs. The landing length should be 5 feet to allow for smooth user movement. Their frequency should be every 9 to 11 steps if possible, in order to ease the exertion required to navigate the stairs.

Safety Considerations 

Landscape steps should be made as safe to use as possible.

User awareness: Consider setting warnings at the top and bottom of steps. Being aware of the presence of a staircase is an important part of reducing the risk of injury. 

Alignment and length: Stairways placed perpendicular or at the side of the path of travel limit the risk of someone accidentally falling down.

Predictability: Treads and risers must be uniform and the number of risers in each flight the same.

No Obstructions: Stairs and landings are designed to be free of permanent and temporary obstacles. 

Lighting: Artificial lighting is provided with switches that are easy to identify and reach the bottom or top of the steps.

Regulations

Safety risks posed by staircases can be addressed by good design and maintenance. Paving materials that provide good slip resistance when wet are: unglazed clay tiles, asphalt, concrete pavers, outdoor carpets, sawn or honed stone slabs, and broomed or stamped concrete