How to make concrete steps (treads) for stairs with your own hands

Concrete step creation for stairs can be a satisfying do-it-yourself project that gives your house durability and a sophisticated touch. All you need are some simple tools and the right materials to build durable steps that improve the aesthetics and safety of your property.

We’ll walk you through the process of creating concrete steps from scratch in this guide. You’ll discover how to properly prepare the space, erect the formwork, mix and pour the concrete, and complete the steps. You can attain expert results by following these easy instructions, regardless of whether you’re adding new steps or replacing outdated ones.

If you’ve never worked with concrete before, don’t worry. We’ll provide helpful hints and detailed instructions to make the task simpler. After reading this article, you’ll be equipped with the know-how and self-assurance to take on this project by yourself, saving money and feeling proud of a job well done.

Step	Description
1. Planning	Measure the space, decide on the size and number of steps, and gather materials and tools.
2. Building the Form	Construct a wooden frame to shape the concrete steps. Ensure it is level and sturdy.
3. Mixing Concrete	Prepare concrete mix according to instructions, ensuring it is well-mixed and free of lumps.
4. Pouring Concrete	Pour the concrete into the form, starting from the bottom step. Fill each step completely and evenly.
5. Smoothing and Leveling	Use a trowel to smooth the surface and remove any air bubbles. Check that each step is level.
6. Curing	Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24-48 hours, keeping it moist to prevent cracking.
7. Removing the Form	Carefully remove the wooden form after the concrete has set. Smooth any rough edges if necessary.
8. Finishing	Apply a sealant to protect the steps and enhance durability.

Features of a concrete staircase – advantages and disadvantages

Concrete structures’ strength and extended service life are their key advantages. Artificial stone does not rot or corrode when it comes into contact with water, nor does it lose strength when it does.

• availability of both ready-mixed concrete and its components;
• Simple methods for constructing staircase structures;
• the ability to make flights of any shape (straight, curved, with semicircular steps, etc.);
• fire safety;
• environmental friendliness.

The weight of the structure has a direct impact on the strength of concrete stairs. There must be a foundation beneath a monolithic outdoor porch.

A metal frame composed of beams that can support the weight of multiple people climbing the stairs and the entire weight of the overhead steps is necessary for structures on supports. The total cost of the structure is comprised of these parts, making it more expensive than a wooden structure. Finishing materials are also needed in addition to the primary ones.

Giving outdoor stairs anti-slip qualities is the primary reason to coat them. Faceting, overlays, or immediately constructed steps with a ribbed surface are used for this.

The prevention of water seeping into the stone body of the concrete is another purpose of outdoor facing. Severe frost can cause moisture-soaked concrete to gradually deteriorate. Only decorative purposes are served by facing indoor flights.

Types and designs of concrete steps

The types of concrete steps that are separated into different categories have different material compositions:

• non-reinforced monolithic – cast entirely from a mixture of cement and fillers;
• reinforced concrete, reinforced – contain metal reinforcement inside the monolithic body, giving the stone increased strength;
• fiber concrete – the composition of the material for castings includes strong synthetic fibers that reduce the risk of cracks and give the product elasticity;
• with the addition of plasticizers to the concrete mixture, increasing water resistance and strength.

Additionally, steps can have various designs. The majority of industrially produced reinforced concrete products (available for purchase in Moscow’s construction stores) are triangular section (LS) castings. The two other corners feature recesses intended for tight joining of parts when building a prefabricated staircase, while the corner that forms the rise of the concrete step is rounded.

• with an upper frieze (LSV);
• with a lower frieze part (LSN);
• for joining with a platform (LSP).

The only concrete tread design you can create at home is a rectangular section. They can be installed on a metal base consisting of stringers with a frame at every step.

These kinds of products can also be used for prefabricated staircases made of blocks. The treads must be laid separately because hollow blocks are only used to construct the step bases. The lighter weight of this kind of construction sets it apart from monolithic structures. There is also a monolithic type that can be produced on your own.

• a low porch is often made solid, with the entire body resting on the foundation;
• large stairs can be made on a stringer, resting only on the lower and upper edges.

What kind of concrete is needed?

Concrete with a grade of at least B15 is used to create various kinds of treads, steps, and monolithic stairs.

• 1 part of cement grade M400-500 (according to the new marking CEM I-CEM II 32.5-42.5);
• 3 parts of sifted fine sand;
• 4 parts of crushed stone from dense rocks with a fraction of 2-4 cm.

About ½ part of the mixture needs to be prepared with water; if more liquid is needed, it can be added gradually while mixing the concrete. The monolith becomes less strong when there is too much water present.

Calculation of the dimensions of the steps

If the prefabricated structure’s components are to be cast by hand, each step’s height and tread width must be measured separately. Although it depends on the frame design, the slabs’ thickness shouldn’t be less than 5 cm.

• width – 26-29 cm;
• height – 16-17 cm.

Consider that wide, low steps are easier to climb when determining the steps’ dimensions. As per SNiP, the tread’s width must not be less than the typical adult foot length, which is between 27 and 29 centimeters.

After deciding on the essential variables, you can calculate the number of steps by dividing the stringer’s length by the tread’s width and the upper platform’s height by the riser’s height or the space between the prefabricated structure’s slabs and their thickness.

Creating your own concrete treads for stairs is a useful and satisfying project that blends imagination with fundamental building knowledge. Plan your design first, then gather supplies such as forms, reinforcement bars, and concrete mix. Make sure the forms are precisely measured and constructed to the correct size and shape. Make sure the concrete is smooth and level after mixing it to the proper consistency and pouring it into the forms. Once the concrete has had time to properly set and cure, you’ll have strong, long-lasting steps that improve both the appearance and use of your area. You can get results that look professional if you are patient and pay attention to details.

DIY manufacturing

You should take care of creating the formwork before constructing the concrete steps. Building the side walls from plywood and boards up to the height of the upper platform is particularly challenging for a monolithic structure like this one. First, you must create the foundation for the outdoor porch.

If the span is only going to be supported at its upper and lower ends, an I-beam or channel stringer will need to be installed. Additionally, you will need to drill holes 50–80 cm deep under the lower ends of the pieces.

Following bowstring installation, the metal base is embedded in the ground by backfilling the pit or pouring concrete, and the upper edge is welded to the wall’s embedded beams. In this instance, the formwork is constructed to cover the lower portion of the structure, which will hang above the ground, in addition to the sides. The inclined plane shouldn’t have any gaps left in it.

1. A board is placed across the formwork made for the sides, the height of which is slightly greater than the height of the future step. When filling out the form, there will be a side made of board, t. To. the concrete layer will be equal to the height of the step.
2. Pour the solution into the prepared part of the formwork, leveling its horizontality on the territory of the tread using a building level. If reinforcement is performed, pre-cut pieces of mesh will be placed on a 5 cm layer of concrete: pour a little mortar, level it, reinforce it and fill the formwork.
3. Let the casting set (1-2 hours). Install a cross board for concreting the next tier of the flight of stairs and repeat the pouring process.
4. Moving up the stringer or lower levels of the flight, gradually pour the entire porch. Level the upper platform horizontally.
5. Concrete gains strength for about 3 weeks. Until this period has expired after the mortar has set (24 hours), it is recommended to thoroughly water the surface of the stairs with clean water every day. It is not advisable to walk on the structure at this time.

Pouring a curved concrete step along its front edge follows the same procedure as pouring a straight one. Here, the formwork is made of a plywood sheet that has been bent to the appropriate shape and fastened with spacers.

Installing steps on a metal frame

Making a prefabricated structure is even simpler: you just need to precisely determine how many steps there are before beginning. You can receive a fractional result in calculations if you use ready-made reinforced concrete products. In this instance, the entire fraction is interpreted as the number of steps, and the remaining portion can be leveled by building a lower platform and elevating the stringers’ lower fill above the surface.

A prefabricated structure is only constructed on an I-beam or channel metal frame. Conveniently, standard reinforced concrete products fit into the nooks and crannies of these supports. Steps such as the LS type and others are installed from below by positioning the components on the supports and lining up the lower step’s protrusions with the upper step’s recess. After all the components are assembled, use a spatula to gently press a mixture of cement and sand (1:3) into the spaces between them.

Another way

If you choose a staircase consisting of independently cast or purchased flat rectangular parts, you will need to prepare a frame with a different design:

1. The braces are connected by a cross beam, which will serve as a support for each step. Installation is carried out in accordance with the calculations of the height of the steps, taking into account the thickness of the flooring.
2. To fix the edges of each concrete tread, a corner is welded to the stringers, placing it across the support and bringing the horizontal to the level. Then the same corners are placed along the length of the steps, forming a frame.

Starting from the corners, a rectangular tie is positioned on the support.

Installation of overhead steps

Concrete treads in the shape of rectangles are used for overhead steps. You can also measure the dimensions of the vertical frontal plane of the steps and use those measurements to make cast riser slabs for decorating the base.

The following procedures are followed for installation on a concrete monolithic or block base:

1. A building level is used to determine the horizontal of the step base. If there are any deviations, the defect is eliminated.
2. Cement-sand mortar is applied to the base part, leveling it over the surface.
3. Lay the overlay element, leaving an extension above the riser if necessary.

Install the vertical component on the same solution as the horizontal component if it needs to be attached.

Overlay steps have aesthetic and non-slip properties.

You can carve a groove or a straightforward pattern into the bottom of the mold when casting yourself. You can purchase pre-made casting molds that mimic the look of a board, shagreen, crocodile skin, or any other ornament.

Constructing concrete stair steps is an easy and satisfying do-it-yourself project. You can make sturdy, aesthetically pleasing treads that will last for years by following the right procedures and using the right materials. Don’t forget to measure everything precisely, plan your project thoroughly, and set up a strong formwork to hold the concrete in place.

Adding the concrete and mixing it is the next crucial step. Make sure your mixture has the proper consistency, then evenly fill the forms, pressing down to eliminate any air bubbles. For a clean finish, use a trowel to smooth the surface. It usually takes a few days for the concrete to properly cure in order to achieve its maximum strength and durability.

After the concrete has hardened, you can take off the forms and show off your creation. Concrete steps improve the appearance of your house in addition to adding functionality. You can successfully design steps that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing if you have patience and pay attention to detail.

Always remember that safety comes first. To prevent mishaps, work cautiously and wear protective gear. For any do-it-yourselfer, creating concrete steps can be a rewarding and doable project with the appropriate methodology.

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