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We have these neglected stairs in our backyard and are planning to fix them. Any suggestions, hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Hello @pru696
Thanks for sharing your question about fixing your steps. Looking at its current condition I propose revamping the steps to give you a fresh new look. I suggest having a look at these discussions - How I made steps for my front yard by @bthederan and How to build front yard tiered decking steps by @frediynewbie. Both these projects give excellent examples of how you can build steps on a slope.
To design long steps on a slope, start by measuring the total height (rise) and the horizontal distance (run) of the area where the steps will go. Next, decide on the size of each step. A comfortable riser height is usually between 100mm and 180mm, while the tread depth (going) can be anywhere from 450mm to 1200mm, depending on how long you want each step to be. To find the number of steps, divide the total rise by the chosen riser height. Then, to work out how much space each step will take, divide the total run by the number of steps.
A good rule for comfortable steps is that twice the riser height plus the tread depth should add up to around 600 to 650mm. Once you have your numbers, mark out the steps with stakes or temporary boards to check how they feel before building. If the steps seem too steep or shallow, adjust the tread depth or riser height to get the right balance. My best advice is to use a builder's line to make sure your steps are lined up and always do a temporary layout of the steps with timber off cuts if possible.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
