How to build concrete steps on a slope

To assure proper drainage, the steps should pitch forward with a slope of approximately ¼” (6mm) per foot. The height of the riser and depth of the tread are more important factors for achieving maximum safety and convenience. Use the following riser/tread proportion chart when building steps.

Footings – When your concrete steps attach to a building, you need concrete footings. In new construction, the footings for concrete steps are normally installed by the foundation contractor. … Sono tubes should extend 4 ft below the frost level (if that applies to your location – check your local building codes).

As mentioned above, concrete steps must have rebar installed to reinforce the structure. As you can see here, these steps are reinforced with a lattice of rebar that also ties into the concrete sidewalk at the top of the steps, helping to hold all of it together.

At minimum, the concrete thickness should be 4 inches between the inside of the step to the ground. In order to determine the number of risers, divide the total height of the steps by the number of risers desired. No individual riser should be greater than 7 to 7½ inches.

The 7-11 rule is one that’s frequently used (maximum riser height of 7 inches and minimum tread depth of 11 inches). Risers should also be at least 4 inches in height.

On average, concrete steps cost around $2,000. Most projects range between $900 and $5,000. Where your price falls depends on the number of steps and the size of the staircase you need. Pouring cement is about $300 per step at 2 feet wide and 11 inches deep, including materials and labor.

Lay out footings 3 inches wider than the steps. Excavate the footings to the depth codes require, pour the concrete, and insert 12-inch lengths of rebar 7 to 8 inches into the footings. The top of the rebar should be about 2 inches lower than the finished height of the steps.

Precast Concrete Stairs Cost Much Less Than Poured-In Stairs. One significant advantage of precast concrete stairs is that they only cost a third of what cast-in-place stairs cost. … Concrete is also a material that needs little upkeep and will not make noises like wood or metal stairs.

Covering your concrete steps with wood can add protection and beauty to your steps. … The layer of wood you place over the top of the concrete steps can also make them stronger. You must use a hardwood (like pine), though, or you will soon see plenty of wear and tear on the new steps.

Pre-cast concrete stairs are not a solid piece of concrete like poured-in-place stairs; rather, they’re hollow. … No additional material is required beyond the stairs and footing.

Concrete stairs can withstand heavy loads and high impact and do not rust in wet conditions. In addition, concrete is fire-resistant, which is why it is often used for fire exit stairwells. Because concrete can absorb vibrations, it is effective in soundproofing, making it ideal for hospital or school staircases.

THINK IN RECTANGLES

For instance, to measure stairs, break the individual stairs into rectangles and calculate the volume of each individual rectangle. The volume is determined by multiplying the length x width x depth. Once finished, add up the rectangle volumes to find the total volume.

Durability and Maintenance

Concrete is generally more durable than wood because it isn’t as vulnerable to scratches and weathering. Wood porches require sealing and painting annually to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood, and to maintain the porch’s appearance.

There are a wide range of designs you can apply to your concrete steps to make it look better. You can simply repaint it, add bricks, tiles, wood panels or decorative stones. Also you can place plants, lanterns and other decorative details at your front steps.

This approach represents an improvement step for the durability design of reinforced concrete structures, it is suitable for the design of ordinary structures designed with traditional materials (Portland cement, carbon steel rebar) and with an expected service life of 50 years.

Limitations of concrete

Relatively low tensile strength when compared to other building materials. Low ductability. Low strength-to-weight ratio. It is susceptible to breaking.

Advantages of Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete has a high compressive strength compared to other building materials. Due to the provided reinforcement, reinforced concrete can also withstand a good amount tensile stress. … The reinforced concrete building system is more durable than any other building system.

The ASTM standard for deformed steel reinforcement (A706) and the Concrete Reinforcement Steel Institute (CRSI) Manual of Standard Practice both give the same recommendation: Reinforcing bar with rust, mill scale, or a combination of both is satisfactory, provided the minimum dimensions, weight, and height of the …