Garden staircases overcome height differences in the terrain and open up different levels. Attractively designed, they are an eye-catcher in any garden.
- Top article
- General
- Freestanding garden steps
- Material for garden stairs
- Garden stairs from block steps
- Garden stairs made of leg steps
- Garden stairs made of steps
- Garden stairs made of truncheon steps
- Other articles
General
As soon as there are steeper slopes in the garden, you need stairs. Garden stairs serve not only to overcome the height difference, but can also rise to attractive design elements in the slope garden. On flat slopes, it is sufficient to insert single wide steps at regular intervals to make the way up more pleasant to walk on and to visually structure the entire garden. If, on the other hand, large differences in height must be overcome in a confined space, this can be achieved with stairs that are installed parallel to the slope and wind upwards like serpentines with one or more changes of direction.
Stairs become a harmonious part of a slope if you do without a structural enclosure and integrate the steps laterally into the terrain – for example, by inserting them on both sides into a perennial bed. If, on the other hand, the staircase is to catch the eye as a striking structure, then it is given flanking walls – or an appropriate border, for example of boxwood. The so-called stringers can rise with the stairs or – as is common in terraces – remain at one level, usually at the height of the top step.
This garden staircase was built of large porphyry pavers. The cut boxwood fits perfectly as a border
Freestanding garden stairs
For safety reasons, a railing is required for free-standing stairs that have a height difference of one meter or more. Handrails are recommended for longer staircases, as they make the ascent easier. To add variety to the structure, it also makes sense to incorporate platforms or give the whole thing a curved course.
You lend a special note to border-free stairs, by varying the width of the steps or arranging the treads slightly offset. With the material choice for stairs are hardly borders set to you. The only important thing is that the surfaces are as rough as possible to minimize the risk of slipping. Smoothly polished stones and wooden planks without cross grooves are therefore not recommended.
Material for garden stairs
To create a smooth transition to paths or terraces, it is best to use the same materials as for the adjacent areas. Uncomplicated succeeds this with setting steps, since here for the tread surfaces all usual paving stones can be used. Natural stone or concrete walkway slabs are also suitable for leg steps. Depending on the size, they are simply laid with one or two longitudinal joints to cover the stair tread completely. However, most suppliers of natural and concrete pavers also have continuous block and leg steps in their product line, which are perfectly color-coordinated with certain pavers or sidewalk slabs.