Concrete Steps & Stairs
Safe, sturdy steps connect different levels of your property and provide secure access to your home for years to come.
Why Proper Step Construction Matters
Steps might seem simple, but poor design or construction creates serious safety hazards. Uneven riser heights cause trips and falls. Steps that are too steep or too shallow feel awkward and dangerous. Surfaces without adequate traction become slippery when wet. These problems affect everyone but are especially dangerous for children, elderly family members, and guests unfamiliar with your property.
Building codes exist specifically to prevent these hazards. Risers must be consistent in height, typically between 4 and 7 inches. Treads must provide adequate depth for secure footing, usually at least 10 or 11 inches. Handrails are required for stairs with more than a certain number of steps. These regulations reflect decades of safety data. We follow code requirements precisely because they protect you and everyone who uses your steps.
Beyond meeting minimums, we design steps that feel comfortable and natural to use. Consistent dimensions create a rhythm that your body expects as you climb. Adequate tread depth lets you place your entire foot securely. Proper slope sheds water instead of creating puddles. These details make the difference between steps that feel safe and inviting versus ones that make people nervous. Your concrete steps should inspire confidence every time you use them.
Steps and Stairs We Build
Different situations call for different step designs. We customize each project to fit your specific needs, property layout, and style preferences. Whether you need a simple set of entry steps or an elaborate stairway, we have the expertise to build it safely and beautifully.
Common Step Applications
- Front entry steps leading from sidewalk to porch or doorway
- Back door and patio access steps for deck or yard transitions
- Garage and basement entry stairs with proper headroom
- Landscape stairs navigating slopes and retaining walls
- Pool area steps connecting deck levels to pool entry
- Commercial building entrances meeting ADA requirements
- Interior stairs for split-level homes and finished basements
Front entry steps make an important first impression and get heavy daily use. They need to be attractive, safe, and durable. We can create simple straight runs or add curved walls, decorative railings, and wide landings that make your entrance more welcoming. The style should complement your home's architecture, whether that means traditional brick-look stamped concrete, sleek modern lines, or natural stone appearances.
Landscape stairs often face unique challenges like dealing with tree roots, managing water runoff, or creating multiple landings on steep slopes. These stairs need extra attention to drainage and soil stability. We integrate them thoughtfully into your landscape design so they feel like natural features rather than afterthoughts. When combined with retaining walls, stairs can transform unusable steep areas into accessible, beautiful spaces.
How We Build Steps That Last
Building quality concrete steps starts with accurate measurements and careful planning. We measure the total rise from bottom to top and calculate the number of steps needed to maintain comfortable riser heights. We account for frost lines, soil conditions, and drainage requirements. This planning phase prevents problems that would be expensive or impossible to fix after the concrete is poured.
Foundation work is critical for step longevity. Steps must rest on solid footings below frost depth to prevent heaving and settling. Inadequate foundations cause steps to crack, separate from the building, or tilt dangerously. We excavate properly and pour substantial footings that support the weight and resist movement. This foundation work takes extra time and materials but prevents the failures we see with shortcuts.
Formwork must be precise because steps have no room for error. Forms define the exact dimensions of each step, and we build them level and plumb. We reinforce the forms securely so they do not shift during the pour. Any movement creates uneven steps that look bad and feel dangerous. We also install reinforcement steel to resist cracking and add strength. Steps are cantilevered structures that need internal reinforcement to perform properly.
Surface finishing ensures safety and appearance. We create textured surfaces that provide traction in all weather conditions. Smooth troweled steps become dangerously slippery when wet. We can use broom finishes, exposed aggregate, or stamped patterns that offer both beauty and grip. Nosings and edges receive extra attention because they take the most wear and are most visible. Quality finishing work makes your steps look professional and feel secure underfoot.
Drainage consideration prevents many common problems. We slope treads slightly to shed water rather than letting it pool. We direct water away from the structure using proper grading. Water that puddles on steps creates ice in winter and promotes deterioration year-round. Simple drainage details during construction prevent these problems and extend the life of your steps significantly.