With your own hands

Making something by hand gives you a special kind of satisfaction. It’s an opportunity to learn new skills, save money, and customize your space. Working with concrete is rewarding and challenging, whether you’re repairing old structures, creating decorative pieces, or constructing a new patio.

Concrete is a material with many uses. It can be used in a variety of home and garden applications and molded into nearly any shape. There are countless options available, ranging from countertops to stepping stones. Additionally, you can create amazing pieces of art out of regular concrete by using a little imagination.

Although beginning a concrete project might seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. Even inexperienced workers can take on challenging projects if they have the proper equipment, supplies, and patience. Starting small, following step-by-step instructions, and progressively taking on more complex tasks as your confidence grows are the keys to success.

We’ll lead you through a few common concrete projects in this guide that you can complete on your own. We’ll go over everything, from assembling supplies to applying the final touches, to make sure you have all the knowledge required for success. So grab a pair of gloves and prepare to work your hands to create something truly remarkable.

Building with your hands gives you the ability to design one-of-a-kind, customized concrete projects while saving money and gaining useful skills. With this practical method, you can turn your ideas into functional products, like robust countertops or easy-to-maintain planters. Anyone can start a fulfilling journey of creating long-lasting and exquisite concrete objects with the correct resources and direction.

Material for formwork

A box called formwork is used to determine the configuration of the staircase. It is filled with concrete solution, which is then allowed to solidify before collapsing. The concrete staircase’s formwork needs to be robust and able to support the weight of the cement-sand mixture, so careful consideration should go into the selection of the materials used in its construction. If not, the box will topple over and your entire project will become "Nashmark." Usually, one of two materials is utilized: metal or wood.

If wood was your choice, you can use the removed boards for construction or other uses after the package is opened.

Counseling! It is important to accurately determine the thickness of the boards being used and to consider the method of fastening them when building wooden formwork.

Although metal prefabricated panels are more expensive, they can be reused multiple times. Big construction firms frequently erect metal formwork.

Formwork for concrete stairs can occasionally be constructed in a hybrid fashion, with the side sections composed of sheet material (laminate chipboard, OSB, or plywood resistant to water) and the frame constructed of metal.

Technology for manufacturing monolithic concrete stairs

Four steps make up the entire technology for setting up a concrete staircase: formwork installation, reinforcement, pouring concrete mixture, and preparatory.

Preparatory work

Prior to beginning construction, we measure, calculate, draw, and decide where the future staircase will be located. The following SNiP standards serve as our guidelines for computation: The stairs have a width of 0.8 ÷ 0.9 m, a height of 170 mm, a width of 290 ÷ 300 mm, and a weight of 1.2 ÷ 2.2 tons. The angle of inclination of the structure should be between 30 and 45 degrees.

Crucial! Naturally, a slope of 30˚ is the ideal angle for the stairs. The likelihood of injury rises with each degree that this slope is increased.

We account for the installation of embedded fence parts in the project. A monolithic concrete staircase has one disadvantage in spite of all its benefits: it is very heavy. It must therefore rest on beams made of reinforced concrete or on a foundation. The soil must be carefully compacted if the base is a screed on the ground (one kilogram per centimeter is the maximum force that the monolithic structure may apply to the base). You will need to take apart the floor and take out the insulation if the staircase is supported by a screed that has a layer of foam underneath it that acts as insulation against heat.

We then determine how much material will be needed and get the tools ready. A monolithic concrete staircase requires the following setup:

• moisture-resistant plywood (20 mm and 9 mm thick for curved surfaces), laminated chipboard or OSB (for side surfaces);
• edged boards for steps (width 300-350 mm, that is, depending on the height of the steps);
• ribbed fittings (diameter 10÷12 mm);
• knitting wire (diameter 0.8÷1.2 mm);
• wooden blocks 100×100 mm or 50×150 mm;
• screws, dowels, metal corners;
• perforator;
• electric jigsaw;
• screwdriver;
• building level;
• plumb line;
• hammer;
• crochet hook.

Counseling! Use a specific waterproofing compound to shield wooden boards used for formwork and other enclosing elements from warping due to moisture.

Every concrete stair construction project is completed only while the building is being constructed. If this isn’t possible, your only option after finishing the building and finishing work is to construct a metal or wooden staircase.

Making formwork for a single-flight staircase, which is located between the walls

This is how the formwork installation algorithm appears:

• On the walls between which the staircase will be located, according to the prepared drawing, we mark with a marker the dimensions of the structure and the height of its steps.
• We fasten the guides from the edged boards to the walls using self-tapping screws with a diameter of 3.5÷4 mm.
• We construct the lower part of the staircase formwork: we lay transverse boards on the guides; We attach a wooden flooring (deck) to them, which we assemble from solid boards along the entire length (an inch thick). To prevent the shield from bending during concrete pouring, we fill 3÷4 stiffening ribs (boards 40÷50 mm thick, installed on the edge) along the entire length of the structure: one such board on each edge of the shield and 1÷2 boards in the middle.
• We additionally strengthen the deck from below with vertical posts and spacers made of timber (100×100 mm). We calculate the number of supports and temporary stands based on the fact that a three-meter wooden beam can withstand a load of up to 130÷140 kg. To prevent pillars and spacers from hanging in the air, we place pads under them and drive in wedges. We tie the entire structure together with boards to increase the rigidity of the entire structure.
• We carefully grind and fit all the formwork elements to each other; we seal the cracks with sealant.
• We perform reinforcement using steel reinforcement with a diameter of 10 ÷ 12 mm, which we tie with annealed steel wire with a diameter of 0.8 ÷ 1.2 mm using a hook. The reinforcement is fixed in holes pre-drilled in the walls.

• We begin assembling the formwork for the steps of the stairs, using boards and metal corners, with which we attach them to the walls.
• We additionally reinforce the areas of the front edges of the steps with a transverse reinforcement rod, since the lion"s share of the load falls on them (so that they do not crumble in the future).

• We fix the wooden boards with a long wooden lath in order to prevent bending of the base. Additionally, we strengthen the bars that we mount the vertical and horizontal frame.
• Let"s start pouring concrete into the staircase.
• After 4-5 weeks (after the concrete has hardened and gained the required strength), we remove the formwork.

Recommendations to follow when installing the formwork

When constructing the formwork for a monolithic concrete staircase, the flight of which is situated between the walls, there are several crucial guidelines to adhere to:

• When marking the dimensions of the staircase and the height of the steps on the walls, it is necessary to add the thickness of the facing material to the height of the step. Moreover, when marking the lower and upper steps, it is necessary to additionally take into account the thickness of the finished floor of the upper and lower floors.
• So that the dimensions of the staircase do not change in the end, do not forget to take into account the thickness of the formwork when installing the guides.
• For the lower part of the formwork (deck), you can use sheets of durable waterproof plywood with a thickness of 18-20 mm.
• Between the lower part of the formwork and the reinforcing frame, it is necessary to leave the clearance (at least 3 cm). For this purpose, use plastic clamps.
• At the stage of forming the steps, check the vertical and horizontal of each of them using a building level. The error will be difficult to correct.
• We cut all the formwork elements with a jigsaw from waterproof plywood or edged boards and assemble according to the drawing.
• We make the lower part of the formwork either for the entire flight of stairs, or for each step separately (depending on the place where the stairs will be located and what shape it will have).
• We fix all the parts very firmly, since they must withstand a fairly decent weight of the poured concrete.

Making concrete projects by hand is not only a useful activity, but also a very fulfilling one. Working with concrete enables you to realize your vision, whether it’s for a decorative planter, a robust bench, or a straightforward garden path. The procedure can be tailored to your desired level of complexity, so even experienced do-it-yourselfers can benefit from it.

The customization that DIY concrete projects provide is one of their main advantages. You can select the finish, color, size, and shape to precisely fit your style and space. Attempting to attain this degree of customization with store-bought goods is challenging. Having personally constructed something yourself gives it a sense of accomplishment and personal touch.

It’s also important to remember that improving your house and yard with concrete can be an affordable option. You can make sturdy and attractive items that would otherwise cost much more if bought ready-made with a few simple tools and supplies. Because of this, DIY concrete projects are a wise option for anyone trying to upgrade their area on a tight budget.

Thus, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and start working on a concrete project. In addition to being helpful for upcoming projects, the abilities you pick up along the way will help you appreciate this timeless material’s beauty and versatility even more. Every project, regardless of how many times you try, will add character and satisfaction to your environment.

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