How to Build Concrete Patio Stairs
Stairs made out of concrete provide a durable way to connect a porch or landing to the ground. Concrete stairs can last for years and are almost impervious to the elements. No need to call in a pricey professional to build your stairs; this is a project you can tackle yourself with a few hours and the right materials. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- String
- Shovel
- Gravel
- Concrete mix
- Water
- Trowel
- Two 4- by 8-foot pieces of 3/4-inch plywood
- Pencil
- Saw
- 8- by 2- by 8-foot boards (number of these depends on how many stairs you have)
- Wooden stakes
- Hammer
- 8d nails
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the area where you will be placing the stairs. You will need to measure the total rise and the total run to determine how many stairs you need. Stairs traditionally have a 10- to 11-inch run and a 7- to 8-inch rise. Basically, if you have 4 feet of height you need to travel, you will need six stairs that run a total of 5 feet.
-
2
Map out the area where the stairs will be located on the ground with string. Attach the string to the back wall with nails, and form a rectangle with the string attached to nails in the ground at the corners.
-
-
3
Dig out a 6-inch-deep hole inside the string boundaries to give yourself a place to put the footing. This hole should cover the entire area of the staircase.
-
4
Mix the dry concrete with water so it is the consistency of wet mud.
-
5
Fill the footing with a 3-inch layer of gravel. Place a 3-inch layer of concrete on top of the gravel so it is even with the top of the hole.
-
6
Transfer the stair measurements to the pieces of plywood and sketch out the staircase. Cut stair forms out of the plywood in a silhouette of what your staircase will look like. The rise and the run of the staircase should match what the stairs will actually be.
-
7
Place the plywood frames on either side of the footing so they are level and plumb against the back wall of the staircase. Hammer stakes in the ground next to each frame. Connect the stakes to the frame by hammering nails through the stakes and into the frame.
-
8
Cut your pieces of 2-by-8 to the width of your staircase. These are to frame the run of your stairs. Place a piece of 2-by-8 between the frames on each run and hammer them into place with nails.
-
9
Fill the footing with concrete up to the first step. Smooth the first step out with the trowel. Let this dry for a bit, then fill the frame until the second step, smooth it out, and let that dry for a bit. Repeat this process until the entire frame is filled up with concrete.
-
10
Remove the frame once the concrete is completely dry.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a construction lubricant on the inside of the frame to make it easier to remove when the concrete dries.
It is vitally important that all of your surfaces are level and plumb. If they are not, your concrete will begin to crack and fall apart.
