Construct Remaining Steps and Treads

What happens in this clip

Determine your desired rise (height) and run (depth) for each step. Typically, a rise of 6-7 inches and a run of 12-18 inches is comfortable. Place the second timber riser above and behind the first, maintaining the chosen rise and run. Use your level to ensure it's horizontal. Secure this timber with rebar stakes. The area between the first and second timbers forms the tread. Line this area with landscape fabric to suppress weeds. Then, fill the tread with pea gravel, spreading it evenly and compacting it firmly with a hand tamper or your feet. Repeat this process for all subsequent steps, progressively moving up the slope. For enhanced stability, especially on wider stairs or turns, use L-shaped metal brackets at the corners of timbers and secure them with screws or nails. Continue until all desired steps are constructed.

Goal: Form the stair structure with risers and gravel treads

What's used

Tools

• Drill
• Hand Tamper
• Landscape Fabric
• Level
• Measuring Tape
• Metal Brackets (L-shaped)
• as seen in the video.
• Pea Gravel
• River rock (smaller sizes)
• Rebar Stakes
• Screws/Nails
• Sledgehammer
• Wooden Timbers

About the full video

This project involves constructing a set of durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor stairs using wooden timbers for risers and filling the treads with pea gravel. The design is ideal for navigating sloped terrain and integrates naturally with the surrounding landscape, often incorporating large rocks for a rustic look.

Step 7 of 8: Construct Subsequent Steps

Using the layout marks, repeat steps 2 through 6 for each subsequent step. Ensure each new step's excavation starts at the back of the previous step's tread, creating a continuous series of steps.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Extend the Staircase with Subsequent Steps
• Excavate and Install Frames