Posted November 15, 2012 in Blog, Landscape Design
There are two factors that ensure that an acceptable staircase design has been created – the first is that the design is safe, and the second is that it is highly appealing. To ensure that both of these factors are present in every staircase, the designer must adhere to a number of rules, otherwise you may end up with a project that was not what you expected.
Boulders- Natural boulder steps work perfectly when incorporated into a boulder wall or natural landscape design. Boulders should only be considered for a staircase that gets light foot traffic because boulders tend to be more naturally shaped and are not normally consistent enough to be used for a high traffic area.
Cut Natural Stone – Cut natural stones can be used for steps because they tend to have a more flat top and a more consistent thickness. These stones can be installed in high traffic situations and will still look very natural.
Uncut Natural Stone Steps – Uncut Natural Stones should be used in areas of light foot traffic. These stones have a more natural look over the cut natural stones and can create a real dramatic effect. The reason we use these stones in low traffic areas is because they are naturally shaped and can take some concentration to maneuver up and down them.
Segmental Block – Decorative segmental concrete block can be used for high traffic staircases because the steps can be designed and installed with an exact rise and run. These types of block can be arranged in simple rows or in long beautiful curves. The only limit to this type of material is your imagination.
Concrete – Concrete is an excellent material for high traffic staircases because it can be formed in exact shapes and heights to fit just about any project. Today’s concrete is more durable than it used to be and can be colored and textured to look like real stone. This option tends to be the more cost effective material to use when compared to real stone and concrete block.
Wood – Pressure treated wood has been used for many years to construct staircases extending from decks and other structures. It is very versatile and can be cut into just about any shape. Because of these characteristics, wood is a great price effective material to use for larger high traffic staircases. Keep in mind that wood can be a pain to maintain, so consider installing a composite or PVC decking material on the steps and risers to minimize the amount of time you will need to allocate to maintenance.
Here at MasterPLAN Landscape Design, it is our mission to educate our clients into making good informed long-term landscape decisions. Call us today @ 610-628-2480 or click here to schedule your free design consultation. Click here to find out how MasterPLAN can help you.
– Joshua Gillow, owner
Stay up to date with what is happening with MasterPLAN Outdoor Living.
Creature comforts like this infrared Bromic heater allow this family to enjoy their outdoor space for an additional 4 months out of the year!
Brick and stucco bring cohesion to this backyard tuscan-inspired feature wall, as these are the materials used in the front of the home!
This Schwenksville, PA space boasts outdoor entertainment at its comfiest with bug protection from the Phantom Screen System, the infrared heaters, fire table, outdoor tv and dimmable mood lighting.
This authentic barnwood cladding shows original nail holes and wear, it’s the perfect complement to the clean roof lines. Rustic meets contemporary!
This deck lounge space gets a lot of attention from the family once it’s time to relax after a long day!
These outdoor infrared Bromic heaters are subtle in sight but very present in function. They provide an even flow of warmth to the bar area as well as the family’s dining table for a more comfortable and enjoyable day.
We designed this gunite swimming pool with a church step entrance. This allows easy entry and additional room to relax at different depths!
With careful design and planning, an outdoor living space can be beautiful and include several desired features without feeling cramped or overwhelming.
When the sun sinks low, MasterPLAN projects come to life!
We incorporated a shallow sunshelf with in-pool loungers to this custom gunite swimming pool in Bethlehem so the adults could relax and catch some rays while keeping an eye on the little ones splashing and jumping!