Cutting steps into a bank

[v8dave]

As Bob notes above there is a pace that makes using steps easier or more difficult. The combination for a normal stair case is for the height of the riser and depth of the landing to be 18 inches [see this page for a better explaination]. I'd guess this 18" about matches the normal walking stride.

If that be the case, then design the stair case using a 6" rise for RR tie leaves 12" for a landing. Then add 18" to the landing depth for a total landing depth of 30". A side effect of this will be to use the same leg for each step up, which may be uncomfortable to some folks. Making each landing two strides long (12 + 18 +18 = 48") may be a more comfortable pace and would work well for a person using a walker.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Thanks everyone again for all the helpful ideas and suggestions! I have modified my plan and am using the more standard 18" formulae for steps. Since I do want to keep the small rise of 6" I am going with the 12" run as suggested. This will allow me a 4' landing after every 4 steps. The top most landing should have only two steps to reach the top grade.

I've attached drawing #2. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I will be cutting into the bank as noted earlier. What should I do to hold the sides up? I do imagine they may fall in a little but they are not that big so maybe I won't have to do anything or I could taper them in a bit to help them hold.

Eddie,
Love the idea of an overhanging deck! That would be very scenic but too expensive right now. Eventually I want a back deck off the house that will reach out to this point so I may add that idea in to the overall deck plan. It can then be built over these steps. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[trlong]

Bill,

I may be a little late on this, if you've already started. We have a fairly sloped 10 acres here. Although I've yet to start any step projects in the last 10 years, I did recently pick up a book ("Hillside Landscaping", Sunset Books, ISBN 0-376-03777-6) from Border's Books (if I recall correctly). I think it is a pretty good resource for ideas, pictures, detailed "how-to", etc.. For $15, I've found it a useful addition to our gardening and landscaping resource library.

Good luck,

Tom

 

[BillCroasmun]

Tom,
It's never to late to give good advice. Thanks for the book idea. I love having picture reference material and if it includes the "how to's" all the more better. I should be by a Borders within the next couple of days so I'll take a look at it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif