Concrete Steps with Supporting Sidewalls, Concrete steps are a great way to add value and curb appeal to your home. But before you can enjoy the benefits of this beautiful addition, you need to form concrete steps with sidewalls.
Forming concrete steps with sidewalls is the best way to ensure that they are level and square. This method also provides support for the top step and sidewalls, which helps prevent cracking. While this is a fairly simple process, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when forming your concrete steps with sidewalls.
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How to Form Concrete Steps With Sidewalls
You Will Need:
- Concrete mix (or concrete blocks)
- Water
- A shovel
- Levels and string or chalk lines
- A mixing tub or wheelbarrow (optional)
- Plastic sheeting and stakes or wood blocking to protect the surrounding areas from concrete spills (optional)
- Mud pan (optional)
Before you begin designing your concrete steps, consider how many people will be using them and how heavy they will be loaded. If the steps will be used by a lot of people or if a lot of weight will be placed on them, then you may want to add more reinforcement than what is provided in this article.
Step 1: Draw Your Plans
Before you begin building your steps, draw out a sketch of what you want your finished product to look like.
You need to ensure that each step will be level with one another so they will all look uniform once completed.
Also, ensure that there is enough room between each step, so it doesn’t look cramped or narrow when viewed from above or below.
Step 2: Digging and Trenching the Foundation
Dig out the area for your new concrete stairs where you want them located — usually between 3 and 4 feet deep.
Set aside any dirt that doesn’t belong there, such as rocks or roots. Then fill in the trench with compacted gravel and tamp it down with a shovel, so it’s level and flat.
The steps should be level and even with the ground around them.
Step 2: Lay Out Your Forms
The next step is to create forms for each step so that the concrete has something sturdy on which it can rest as it dries and cures over time.
Use plywood or plastic sheets for this purpose; both materials will work well for making forms, especially Concrete Steps with Supporting Sidewalls plan on using them more than once since they’re easy on our budgets!
Cut the boards so that they are slightly larger than your measurements. Attach them by screwing them into place or by nailing them together with nails or screws. You may also want to coat them with paint or stain before attaching them to your concrete steps because this will help prevent them from rotting over time if they get wet at all during use.
The forms are placed around the edges of the step, then filled with concrete. Placing the forms on top of the freshly poured concrete allows for greater stability and prevents any shifting during construction.
After all of your forms have been filled with concrete, they should be left alone until they are completely dry and set up properly as well.
Step 3: Check Level
After the concrete has set enough that it won’t slump out when you remove the forms (generally 3 days), remove one of them and check that it’s level with your reference point (such as the bottom of your center post).
Adjust as necessary by adding or removing rock dust from the surface until it’s level.
Step 4: Finish The Steps
Now that you have formed the steps and sidewalls, it’s time to finish them. You can do this with a concrete finishing trowel or by hand. If you use a trowel, be sure to clean any excess mortar from the surface before it starts to set up.
Concrete Steps with Supporting Sidewalls choose to finish the steps by hand, simply fill in any voids with additional mortar and smooth it out. Then use a sponge or broom to remove excess mortar from the surface.
You can use some paint and stain if we want to change the color of our steps.
How Much Will All This Cost?
The cost of your concrete steps with sidewalls will vary depending on the size, complexity, and materials used.
The average cost for a project like this is around 70 and $150 per step. However, there are many factors that can affect the price, including:
- The size of your steps
- The height of your walls
- The materials used
- Additional features like railings or lighting options can also increase the overall cost.
What are The Advantages of Using Concrete Steps With Sidewalls?
Concrete steps with sidewalls are more durable than those without them.
They are also easy to install
You can customize them to fit your needs.
They can be stained or painted to match other items on your property, such as your house or driveway, so they don’t stand out like a sore thumb when you look at them from afar.
They are easier to maintain than wood.
What Are The Disadvantages of Concrete Steps With Sidewalls?
Concrete steps with sidewalls must be built on a solid, level foundation, or they could crack or crumble over time.
Is it Necessary to Use Balusters on Concrete Steps with Sidewalls?
Balusters are not as necessary on concrete steps with sidewalls because they are not subject to the same wear and tear as wooden staircases. However, they can be used if desired for visual effects or for safety reasons.
Final takeaway
The type of concrete steps you choose will depend on the location and purpose. If your home has a front porch, you will want steps that will be used to walk up and down frequently. The more traffic that goes through the doorway, the stronger your steps should be.
Steps are typically made of concrete because it is durable and easy to work with. However, other materials like brick or stone can also be used for this project. You can also create curved or spiral staircases or even ones made from the glass if you have the time and money for it.
