Can I have all experts in Building Stairs Reply Please?

Question

Hi, I am considering a very large step project. I live on a 3-acre property bordering a lake. I would like to build steps from the top of the hill to the waters edge. I would like to request tons of ideas, and pictures if possible from everyone, on how I would go about this large project.

I have attached pictures, see the links below, of the hillside. Pls. Excuse other stuff other than pictures. I thought what I would do is take my brush cutter/trimmer to begin with and clean out all the brush, grass and c**p first.

This would prepare the ground for some type of stair structure. What should I do, put sono tubes down first to establish a base? Pressure treated 6 x 6’s? What is the most cost effective, yet stair system that will last me for a long time? The length is 110 feet to the bottom and the hill is very close to a 45-degree angle all the way down, with the exception of the last 20 feet or so, which I am sure, is over 60 degrees.

http://www.prom-dress-graduation.com/pictures

Answer 1

Correct, the link isn't working.

   In any case the project is huge. You might get away with steps at a 45, with railings, but not any at 60.

   I built a large staircase on Puget Sound from a high yard to the waters edge, but I not only had to terrace it, but created landings and at one point had to back track the final course of steps. The grade I had to work with was probably 60 at it's most gentle slope.

   First thing I would suggest is learn the composition of the soil and stability of the hillside. 110 ft. is a long way to fall, for a human or collapsing staircase, and I get a sense that working on a 60 degree grade, might just be a wee bit difficult.

   I think too that in your design for that 60, you should probably do something similar to at least one landing and change the direction of the stairs.

   Better for us would be a picture, and some thought you have of a design.

Just my two "sense"

   No offense but are you certain that Prom Dress.com is a link to the slope of your property???

Answer 2

your link isn't working

Answer 3

To build stumble proof stairway you need to know the exact height from starting point to the end. Then you need to know what the distance is straight across (not down the slope) from top to the bottom (if restricted) in length. Then divide the height by 7 inches. This would be the number of steps or risers. The distance or depth (front to back) of each tread would be the overall distance divided by the # of steps.

Answer 4

You will likely be unable to run your stairs straight down the slope as it is too steep. You will likely be better thinking of making staggered landings on the way down and building your stairs from landing to landing.

This lets you run your stairs at sort of an angle to your slope gaining you a better grade for walking up and places to rest.

(110ft is a lot of stairs to climb)

Without seeing the slope and having accurate measures that is about all I can say there.

Yes putting sonotubes for the landings would work well.

Keeping them and the stairs off the ground lets you leave almost all of your vegetation in place reducing the risk of erosion or slope slumping.