How to Make Stacked Block Stairs

lalala...
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 899 Posts

July 9, 2017

Stacked Block Stairs - finished block stairs Our front porch is quite high off the ground and for years we used some old cinderblocks as stairs. We were in need of safer stairs, so my husband made these awesome curved stairs out of stacking blocks and gravel. I love them!

Total Time: 4 hours

Supplies:

stacking blocks
tamper
shovel
chisel
hammer
gravel
level

Steps:

We first laid out the blocks to get a general idea of what shape the steps would need to be. Then we dug out the grass and dirt so that we could create a gravel base. We tamped the dirt with a tamper to make a firm foundation.

Stacked Block Stairs - laying out blocks to create design

Stacked Block Stairs - laying foundation layer

Pour the gravel base and tamp it with a tamper.

Use a chisel and hammer to remove the lip of the first row of blocks. This will allow the blocks to rest completely on the ground and make them easier to level.

Stacked Block Stairs - using hammer and chisel to remove lip on first row of blocks

Begin placing the first row of blocks, leveling each one as you go.

Stacked Block Stairs - begin laying first row of blocks leveling as you go

Stacked Block Stairs - continuing to lay first layer

Stacked Block Stairs - first row in place

Now add your second row of blocks, double checking that they are level.

Stacked Block Stairs - laying second row of blocks, leveling as you go

Fill the bottom step with gravel (we used some dirt in middle to save on gravel). Use the tamper to tamp the gravel until it is firm. Tip: We used a few large rocks to fill in gaps, to avoid the gravel falling out.

Stacked Block Stairs - fill behind second row with gravel

Stacked Block Stairs - a large stone to close gap

Now begin adding the first row of the second step, leveling as you go. Add the second row, then fill with gravel, and tamp with a tamper.

Stacked Block Stairs - laying first row of second step

Stacked Block Stairs - second row added, gravel added and tamped

Stacked Block Stairs - both steps filled with gravel

Use a hose to rinse everything off, re-tamping the gravel if necessary. You may find that you need to add gravel and tamp again after a few days/weeks as the gravel settles. If you have spaces on your top step, you can either fill them with rocks, like we did, or use a chisel to cut pieces of bricks to fit.

Stacked Block Stairs - rinsed steps, finished

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attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts

July 10, 20170 found this helpful

Looks very nice, good job!

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How to Make Stacked Block Stairs

Craft: Stacked Block Stairs

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