MAKE DIY Outdoor Stairs for Hills (2024 UPDATE)

Moments in this video

1. 7:42–9:44 Fill Steps with Gravel From Landscape Steps, Step 5: Fill Step with Gravel

   Once the stair boxes are securely in place, fill each bay with gravel. If you have rocks on your property, it's recommended to use some of them to fill the front portion of each bay first; this will save on the amount of gravel you need to buy. The steps must be filled with gravel, not sand or dirt, because gravel allows for proper drainage and prevents weed growth, which extends the life of the wooden stairs. Gravel should ideally be purchased in bulk to save costs. This final phase of carrying gravel up the hill to fill each step is labor-intensive, so pace yourself and consider it an "exercise phase." For very long runs of stairs, such as a 100-step version, consider using the absolute longest 2x6 lumber available (typically 16 feet, but possibly longer locally) to minimize joints. If the angle of the hillside is too steep or there are obstacles that need to be avoided, you may need to decrease the angle and create switchbacks, which will require additional digging.

The guide that use this video

• Landscape Steps