Thank you for such an instructive video and explanation of how to create steps in a slope. So wish I had found you first as husband, Simon, used to teach this subject in natural stone and can no longer actually do this work physically although can still appreciate all the processes. If done slowly know I can achieve this now having all this information and sketches taken from your video. I am treating this as a teaching exercise and making notes and then conferring with Simon and he says this is an absolutely perfect explanation (utube not really available 27 years ago when he was teaching...). Have now watched all your videos on this topic so have the other background information in my head and notes and this now makes perfect sense. Really looking forward to the process now rather than dreading even starting - especially all the measuring. Do have some friendly knowledgeable builders locally / DIY folk who can just keep a kindly eye, if necessary. Two of the firms we had a quote for this work were asking for the same value as a quality 2nd hand car and now appreciate why! The other guy declined as we would have to wait until winter as he is so busy... and trying to do this type of build in cold, wet weather did not appeal.
Wow… I bet I’ve watched at least 2 dozen of these, “build steps on a slope”, videos in the last couple months. I have learned a lot thus far, but I truly wish I had watched this video first. Not being an engineer, mathematician, nor a super-experienced-with-construction-kinda-gal, many of the videos I watched were above my pay grade, so to speak. others had some useful information, but I didn’t get the impression that the author of the video knew what he/she was talking about/ doing any more(and sadly, sometimes less) than I do. So...Just wanted to say thanks. You explained it in a way that I actually understood it the first time/only time through, without having to rewind/pause a dozen times to make sense of it. I am sure I will watch it again for a reference tool while undergoing my project, but, having watched it once, I have a much clearer understanding. I generally don’t subscribe to things, but I’m making an exception this time. So, thanks again and I look forward to learning more stuff and building some things with y’all! Wish me luck…Have a great day.🌻
❤out of all the videos I have watched on this, this was absolutely the most easiest and best one. I hate my slope in my backyard. The older I get, the more I hate it, and over the yesrs, it looks like, it has gotten worse.
I've been in search of a comprehensive video about stair building because I'm going to be doing it on my own in my backyard and I've been really struggling on finding something that would explain it in a clear manner and you definitely do so. Thank you so much for this I'm really looking forward to building my stairs in my backyard.
Thanks very much for the insight. I've built similar before but this is dug out wilderness at the back of the garden at the mother in law's house. Big slope and you gave me some good pointers to make it happen without a shit load of 'how to measure. I've to properly investigate what kind of ground I'm up against but this was very helpful. Thank you 🤙
No matter how many steps there are its always one less step than there are risers? Glad I watch your video because I was going to divide the length by the amount of risers!
Simple to understand, and straightforward. I'm looking to build something exactly like this to walk down the slope to my fishing pond bench. Thank you!
Love the video. Are you putting 2-3 stakes onto the back of each each riser to hold them in place? Could you drill a hole in the riser and drive rebar into each one?
Put as many stakes as you think needed. I don't have a general rule of thumb for spacing stakes and you can try using rebar if you think it will hold better or last longer.
Great video! However, what if the slope goes down in the back of the yard to a privacy fence? My dog thinks it’s a digging mud bath where he can bark at the dogs behind us. I put a fence 4’ before the slope, but he’s been jumping over it. I’m depressed because I’m sick and he’s constantly filthy. Would you recommend a sleeper planter? I have a ton of firewood I’m not using, so possibly I’ll use that. I’m only 4’ 9”, so this will be a slow process.
This is fabulous, thanks so much for it! Do you have any suggestions on the height/width of the lumbar to use for the steps? Apologies if I missed that info in the video. Thanks so much, I am so excited to try this - especially because my area is 8’x3’!
I want to do landscape timbers trying to convince hubs we can just make u shaped boxes open at back end and fill with gravel to level. We have a small slope..may only need about 10 steps down..has a slight curve as well. I don’t want to build fancy boxes or perfectly even stairs..just natural steps that follow the slope to the driveway and I don’t want to dig anything..just lay the timbers and put gravel level with timbers short sided to contain the gravel within the stairs as much as possible. Tell me it’s doable.
And use stakes to hold the Timbers in place. I see lots of examples of natural paths in woods and forests..I really don’t think it can be that difficult!! 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you for the video. Are there any additional steps that need to be considered if you are living in a cold climate where there is a lot of freeze/thaw? I live in Ontario, Canada. Thanks
This was very helpful for a first time builder who will be doing this on a hillside that is about 100+ feet long. I have pavers that are 12x12 and plan to surround them with stone. For a long distane is it easier to make my steps longer like 18in. or even 20 or stick with the 12? I know it’s going to take me, what is going to feel like an eternity… DYING it :) 💪🏾 thanks
@@stairbuilding your methods are very education and so glad I saw this but do you have any videos that show the actual work and any that are less technical and sort of “this will work too” for those of us less tech but are just doers. :) Thank You
The example here is overall length of 8', and he's gone for four treads, so divide 8 by 4, giving you 24" treads. You could just as easily go for 5 treads, so divide 96" by 5.
I feel a bit silly by asking this because no one else has asked before now. Anyway, I became confused when you spoke of lowering the guide board 3". You had made 2 marks at each tread position on the guide board. How did you figure these marks?
If I understand correctly, trial and error, essentially. Knowing that the rise is 36” and knowing the max rise of each step, find the smallest number of stairs that results in an acceptable step rise. Four steps would be 9” each, which is too high. So try five, and you get a number under the max. Pick a number, do the division, and go up or down until you find the answer.
God i hate inches : ) Metric would have been perfect ; ) So i'm thinking you use the building codes for usa ? or international code ? BTW does landscape stairs need to follow building codes if not attached to a building and not concrete ????? say gravel stairs ???? where im from going max is 355mm. Is it possible to go bigger and not have to rip em out if inspectors happen by ???
Even though the building codes don't specifically refer to landscaping stairs all the time, it's probably going to be a good idea to use them. Don't forget that you can always check with your local building department or building authorities for more information.Fifth
I agree and if it happens you could have erosion under gravel. This could make stairs move or sink and if they don't, then you can just add more gravel if steps lower.
Thank you for such an instructive video and explanation of how to create steps in a slope. So wish I had found you first as husband, Simon, used to teach this subject in natural stone and can no longer actually do this work physically although can still appreciate all the processes. If done slowly know I can achieve this now having all this information and sketches taken from your video. I am treating this as a teaching exercise and making notes and then conferring with Simon and he says this is an absolutely perfect explanation (utube not really available 27 years ago when he was teaching...). Have now watched all your videos on this topic so have the other background information in my head and notes and this now makes perfect sense. Really looking forward to the process now rather than dreading even starting - especially all the measuring. Do have some friendly knowledgeable builders locally / DIY folk who can just keep a kindly eye, if necessary. Two of the firms we had a quote for this work were asking for the same value as a quality 2nd hand car and now appreciate why! The other guy declined as we would have to wait until winter as he is so busy... and trying to do this type of build in cold, wet weather did not appeal.
Best teacher in the school ! Thank you Sir!
Wow, thanks
This video reads 3yrs old and I can still use this very detailed and easy to understand video. Thank you!!!❤
Wow… I bet I’ve watched at least 2 dozen of these, “build steps on a slope”, videos in the last couple months. I have learned a lot thus far, but I truly wish I had watched this video first. Not being an engineer, mathematician, nor a super-experienced-with-construction-kinda-gal, many of the videos I watched were above my pay grade, so to speak. others had some useful information, but I didn’t get the impression that the author of the video knew what he/she was talking about/ doing any more(and sadly, sometimes less) than I do. So...Just wanted to say thanks. You explained it in a way that I actually understood it the first time/only time through, without having to rewind/pause a dozen times to make sense of it. I am sure I will watch it again for a reference tool while undergoing my project, but, having watched it once, I have a much clearer understanding. I generally don’t subscribe to things, but I’m making an exception this time. So, thanks again and I look forward to learning more stuff and building some things with y’all! Wish me luck…Have a great day.🌻
❤out of all the videos I have watched on this, this was absolutely the most easiest and best one. I hate my slope in my backyard. The older I get, the more I hate it, and over the yesrs, it looks like, it has gotten worse.
Thanks for clarifying the details of planning the stairs instead of just digging and hoping you get it right!
This video was inspired by someone who suggested you can just start digging and it will be right, but they didn't realize their hill side would work.
I've been in search of a comprehensive video about stair building because I'm going to be doing it on my own in my backyard and I've been really struggling on finding something that would explain it in a clear manner and you definitely do so. Thank you so much for this I'm really looking forward to building my stairs in my backyard.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. Planning on doing this in the spring here in Pennsylvania!
Awesome!!!
Hey if we wanted to add lights under the steps would we leave room. How would that work
Thats great. Just the video was enough to get this project going. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome!
Thanks very much for the insight. I've built similar before but this is dug out wilderness at the back of the garden at the mother in law's house. Big slope and you gave me some good pointers to make it happen without a shit load of 'how to measure. I've to properly investigate what kind of ground I'm up against but this was very helpful. Thank you 🤙
You're very welcome.
Hi for the steps what wood dimension did you use?
Thank you from Ukraine!
No matter how many steps there are its always one less step than there are risers? Glad I watch your video because I was going to divide the length by the amount of risers!
Thanx a 💯... this works for me!
Glad it helped
Simple to understand, and straightforward. I'm looking to build something exactly like this to walk down the slope to my fishing pond bench. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. Thankyou very much for sharing your video to us. God bless.
So nice of you
Love the video. Are you putting 2-3 stakes onto the back of each each riser to hold them in place? Could you drill a hole in the riser and drive rebar into each one?
Put as many stakes as you think needed. I don't have a general rule of thumb for spacing stakes and you can try using rebar if you think it will hold better or last longer.
Great video! However, what if the slope goes down in the back of the yard to a privacy fence? My dog thinks it’s a digging mud bath where he can bark at the dogs behind us. I put a fence 4’ before the slope, but he’s been jumping over it. I’m depressed because I’m sick and he’s constantly filthy. Would you recommend a sleeper planter? I have a ton of firewood I’m not using, so possibly I’ll use that. I’m only 4’ 9”, so this will be a slow process.
Maybe site drains. Email me a picture of the area and I will take a look at it. You can get our email address at our website.
Excellent video and very informative !
Glad you enjoyed it!
very well explained
Glad you think liked it and thanks for letting us know!
This is fabulous, thanks so much for it! Do you have any suggestions on the height/width of the lumbar to use for the steps? Apologies if I missed that info in the video. Thanks so much, I am so excited to try this - especially because my area is 8’x3’!
I would use thicker materials if I can afford them. The minimum size would be an inch and one half thick.
@@stairbuilding Thank you!
Sorry can't see the link to the type of lumber to use. Wood on dirt will rot?
Contact your local lumber yard for ground rated treated lumber.
Very helpful 👌
Glad you think so!
I want to do landscape timbers trying to convince hubs we can just make u shaped boxes open at back end and fill with gravel to level. We have a small slope..may only need about 10 steps down..has a slight curve as well. I don’t want to build fancy boxes or perfectly even stairs..just natural steps that follow the slope to the driveway and I don’t want to dig anything..just lay the timbers and put gravel level with timbers short sided to contain the gravel within the stairs as much as possible. Tell me it’s doable.
And use stakes to hold the Timbers in place. I see lots of examples of natural paths in woods and forests..I really don’t think it can be that difficult!! 🤷🏼♀️
Gracias por tu vídeo ..
Nice explanation thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I might actually send you an email soon. 😂 Thanks for the information
Thank you for the video. Are there any additional steps that need to be considered if you are living in a cold climate where there is a lot of freeze/thaw? I live in Ontario, Canada. Thanks
Yes and I plan on making a video on that soon.
Do you have printable step by step directions. Thanks
No, sorry
This was very helpful for a first time builder who will be doing this on a hillside that is about 100+ feet long. I have pavers that are 12x12 and plan to surround them with stone. For a long distane is it easier to make my steps longer like 18in. or even 20 or stick with the 12?
I know it’s going to take me, what is going to feel like an eternity… DYING it :) 💪🏾 thanks
You might use a string to get everything straight in 100 feet.
@@stairbuilding your methods are very education and so glad I saw this but do you have any videos that show the actual work and any that are less technical and sort of “this will work too” for those of us less tech but are just doers. :) Thank You
how do you know the length of each tread
The example here is overall length of 8', and he's gone for four treads, so divide 8 by 4, giving you 24" treads. You could just as easily go for 5 treads, so divide 96" by 5.
Hi!...What do you do if you have lots tree roots? Do you just cut through them to lay your boards.
cut a hole in your stairs so the root can pass through
Yes, remove the roots, trees or relocate the stairway.
I want to know why you divided by 5 to get the risers
You will need to use larger numbers on longer stairs.
I feel a bit silly by asking this because no one else has asked before now. Anyway, I became confused when you spoke of lowering the guide board 3". You had made 2 marks at each tread position on the guide board. How did you figure these marks?
I don't know of an easy way to explain what I'm referring to and would suggest going to the website for some more help.
How long is the wood? We know the width but what’s the length?
It will depend on your job. Stair with 10 steps might need a longer board than one with 4 steps.
So where did you get the number 5?
If I understand correctly, trial and error, essentially. Knowing that the rise is 36” and knowing the max rise of each step, find the smallest number of stairs that results in an acceptable step rise. Four steps would be 9” each, which is too high. So try five, and you get a number under the max. Pick a number, do the division, and go up or down until you find the answer.
do stairs like this need a hand rail if the steps are as shown hugging the slope in a yard over 7 steps high
No guard railing, but it will probably need gripable handrail. You will need to check with your building department to verify this information.
God i hate inches : )
Metric would have been perfect ; )
So i'm thinking you use the building codes for usa ? or international code ?
BTW does landscape stairs need to follow building codes if not attached to a building and not concrete ????? say gravel stairs ????
where im from going max is 355mm. Is it possible to go bigger and not have to rip em out if inspectors happen by ???
Even though the building codes don't specifically refer to landscaping stairs all the time, it's probably going to be a good idea to use them. Don't forget that you can always check with your local building department or building authorities for more information.Fifth
Oh man, awesome video but this is going to hurt my brain to convert it all to Metric. The American system is so confusing
What about a steeper grade? Same concepts apply?
Yes, but steeper grades could deal with soil erosion and this might not be the best choice.
I'm concerned about drainage! The gravel fill would allow watet to pool behind each of the steps.
I agree and if it happens you could have erosion under gravel. This could make stairs move or sink and if they don't, then you can just add more gravel if steps lower.
@@stairbuilding I put a drain pipe behind each step connecting to a pipe down one side that was then attached to a stormwater pipe.
Dance steps
As someone who uses AutoCAD and Revit on a daily basis I would just model it up in ten minutes and take all my measurements off that 😂
I like it, kind of like 6 minute abs - ten minute designs.
Yeah put boards into the dirt lmfao