Quite often, owners of plots on a slope encounter difficulties in arranging it. The main question is how to competently organize construction and landscape design on your property so that it is reliable, functional, and, of course, beautiful. This article will offer the best options for solving the problem.
Layout
The first thing you need to do is draw up a construction plan. When drawing up a project, the following points should be taken into account:
- slope of the site;
- location of outbuildings;
- rest zone;
- plantings;
- locating storm drains.
The next point in the arrangement will be the maximum allowable leveling of the slope. The most suitable method for this would be terracing, the use of which involves removing soil in one place and moving it to another. On particularly steep slopes, buttress walls may be necessary.
Slope strengthening
An important condition for this type of site is the strengthening of the slopes. To prevent soil sliding, several types of fortification structures are used:
Natural strengthening. Creeping shrubs and root systems are planted along the entire slope, which will be created by a natural frame. The most popular plants are rose hips, willow and lilac.
Geomaterial. The material, coated with a special protective layer, is not subject to various harmful external influences. Placed under fertile soil layer.
Embankment. Suitable only for areas with a large area, as it significantly conceals space. One of the main disadvantages is the periodic addition of soil.
Retaining walls. The perfect solution, if you plan to design the site in the form of terracing. Can be used natural materials- stone or wood.
Gabions. Modular designs, filled with large crushed stone, stone or pebbles.
Organization of the drainage system
To prevent landslides, washouts and slope destruction, it is very important to consider the location of the drainage system.
The installation of a drainage system is carried out after the location of all buildings on the site is known, all the necessary excavation work has been carried out, supporting walls have been installed and a water supply system has been installed.
Basic rules for installing a drainage system:
- trenches are laid along the slope throughout the entire area to the receiving collector;
- a layer of sand (about 10 cm) is laid at the bottom of the trench, from 30 cm to a meter deep;
- geotextiles are spread over the sand, covering the canal walls with a reserve;
- the next step is to pour gravel (about 20 cm);
- next – install and connect the pipes;
- another layer of gravel;
- covered with geotextile;
- covered with infertile soil;
- fertile soil is laid.
Let's start with the design
Landscaping a site on a slope is perhaps one of the most pleasant moments for its owner. You can use the services of a specialist or only your imagination. Below we will offer several design options for every taste.
Deck
The platform above the slope in the form of a deck will become ideal zone relaxation, with a beautiful view. You can install sun loungers on it, organize dining area and a barbecue area.
Alpine slide
This is a kind of composition of flower beds, lined with natural rough stone. Plants on a hill are planted according to the principle, the lower, the higher. The main condition is that they must be suitable for growing on inclined surfaces.
Terracing
This type of design requires mandatory reinforcement with supporting walls. The number and size of platforms depends on the functionality of each of them.
Despite the fact that supporting walls with this design technique take up a lot of space, it is very convenient if you want to clearly divide the boundaries of your site. The terraces can be connected with each other by paths or steps.
Waterfall and stream
An excellent solution would be to organize artificial reservoirs. A waterfall can decorate a supporting wall, and when making the right choice plants that will be located along the stream will create the impression of a natural source.
vertical garden
On the most noticeable wall of your site, you can organize a plant composition of your favorite garden plants and flowers. For the main background it is usually used climbing plants, bright accent which will have various flowers planted in pots and arranged on the wall according to your taste.
Observation deck with bench
An observation deck can be set up on one of the upper tiers of the site. A wonderful privacy area where you can relax and unwind while enjoying the views of the blooming garden. As an option - an open gazebo covered with ivy.
Decorative vegetable garden
It’s a good idea to use even narrow spaces between supporting walls functionally by placing small beds for vegetables, herbs and spices in them. They should be high enough and filled with fertile soil.
"Wild" slope
If you are a fan of “wild” nature, it is quite acceptable to decorate the site in this style. It will be enough to arrange the ascent and descent in the form of stairs, paths or steps, along which to plant plants that do not require special care.
Choose ground cover plants, which will not only give aesthetic pleasure to their appearance, but also strengthen the soil.
Viewing will help you make the final decision on what your site will look like. various photos design of a site on a slope.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the development of a site on a slope requires large material and physical costs. But it is precisely this kind of relief that will make it possible to turn it into a place unlike any other, where you will want to return and host family and friends.
Photo of a site on a slope
If your garden plot located on a slope, you simply cannot do without stairs. These structures not only play important role, helping to overcome climbs or descents. With skillful design, they can become decorative element garden design.
On a gentle slope, sometimes it is enough just to build in a few single wide steps located at the same distance from each other - they will make the path more convenient and visually break the garden into parts. And on a steep “slope” you can lay out a staircase that winds like a serpentine. A harmonious part of a slope covered with a lawn will be stepping stones that “grow” into the ground or end up in flower beds. If the staircase should become one of the main objects that attracts attention, retaining walls are erected along its edges - the kind that are made when terracing slopes.
To safely move along stairs, the height of which reaches more than one meter, parapets can be laid along their edges - low walls made of brick or stone. But on staircases that are too long or steep, railings are usually installed on one or both sides.
To soften the visual monotony of a long staircase, it can be made winding, like garden path, or install intermediate resting areas on it, which will also optically break up a continuous series of steps. You can add a special touch to the staircase by alternating treads of different widths or by slightly shifting the steps in relation to each other.
Garden steps can be made from many materials. When choosing what to build a staircase from, keep in mind that the surface of the treads should be as rough as possible, then they will not be slippery. It is also not recommended to make steps from smoothly polished wooden planks or stones - use decking with a corrugated structure or slabs with a relief surface. To create smooth transition from the stairs to the paths and terrace, for the steps it is best to choose the same material from which the adjacent surfaces are made. For example, installable steps filled with paving stones will be suitable for a path with stone paving. A large selection of blocks and slabs of various colors and sizes will allow you to bring to life the most interesting design ideas, and your staircase will certainly become not only a functional element of the garden, but also its decoration.
Backfill steps are one of the most simple designs. For the formwork of the end part of the steps, boards are used, secured with two pegs driven into the ground to a depth of 20 cm. The backfill material can be gravel or gravel chips, poured onto a layer of crushed stone, the height of which is about 15 cm.
Block steps are made of massive stone or concrete blocks. They are laid on a base of gravel about 5 cm thick and a 20-30 cm layer of crushed stone. If the length of the staircase exceeds 5 steps, the bottom step is laid on a concrete foundation buried 80 cm.
Installed steps are considered a more durable option for backfill ones. The end stones installed on the edge are firmly fixed using a concrete strip foundation. To prevent the foundation from settling, it is laid on a layer of crushed stone about 80 cm thick. Paving stones are used for treading. The stones are laid on a 5-centimeter layer of sand or gravel.
Layable steps made of natural stone or concrete, due to its small thickness (about 3-8 cm), it is significantly lighter than block ones. To lay them you will need a strong frost-resistant concrete foundation. Under the lower and upper steps they do strip foundation. Between it and the steps a layer of reinforced concrete and lean concrete is laid, poured on a layer of gravel sand, which acts as protection against frost. Finally, treads and risers are laid on the cement.
Examples of steps in the garden
A gentle slope will be helped by massive steps “built” into the lawn at regular intervals. Along their edges stood elegant hornbeams, trimmed in the shape of a cone, as if on a guard of honor.
Wide oak beams laid on a gravel base create steps for a country-style garden.
When a dacha plot has a sloping topography, sooner or later the owners have to think about how to make steps on the slope to make walking more comfortable. The same problem arises with a multi-level arrangement of beds and gardens; here you cannot do without a ladder at all. There are several options for such structures, assembled from materials that can be found on the farm. The easiest way is to hire a team of builders and pay for their labor, but you can also save money by doing the garden work yourself.
Determining the size of the stairs and marking them
flight of stairs ground structure consists of two elements, the dimensions of which must be determined before starting work:
- tread - the plane where a person’s foot stands when lifting;
- riser - a vertical section between steps that performs a supporting and decorative function.
Other standard elements of stairs, such as a bowstring and railings, are used at the request of the owners when constructing a structure on a slope. In accordance with the standards and taking into account ease of lifting, it is recommended to use the following dimensions as a basis:
Construction of steps from blocks and slabs: 1 - Sand cushion, 2 - Concrete base 3 - Stone or concrete blocks, 4 - Tread slabs.- the width of each tread is 300 mm, but not less than 270 mm;
- height between steps (riser) - from 150 to 180 mm;
- the optimal slope of the structure lies in the range of 25-35°.
It is not always possible to make the specified slope when building stairs on the ground. Leveling a steep slope will require a lot of work. earthworks, and the resulting staircase will take up useful space land plot. With this layout, it is better to do steps more often, reducing the height between them. If the slope is too gentle, the width of the tread can be increased.
The width of the flight of stairs is taken according to your desire or need, but not less than 600 mm. Marking must be done as follows:
- Calculate the distance between steps along the slope as the hypotenuse of a right triangle, where the legs are the tread and riser.
- Measure the length of the slope and divide it into parts, the length of which you calculated. Drive pegs into the ground in the right places.
- Since the length will not be divided equally, you can make the first riser on the slope smaller than the others.
Construction of a capital staircase
A capital staircase is a structure made of stone, concrete or brick with cladding decorative tiles, used for street installation.
It is also practiced to build steps from paving slabs square or rectangular shape. One of the most common options is red brick risers embedded in the ground, covered with square paving slabs (size 500x500 mm), which act as treads. Two rows of standard ceramic bricks together with seams will give 150 mm, taking into account the height of the tiles it will be 180 mm.
Work on the installation of stairs is carried out in the following sequence:
- Stretching the twine between the hammered pegs, use a shovel to form an earthen prototype of the future flight of stairs. To do this, it is necessary to remove the turf and soil so that the depth of the earthen steps is 100 mm below the future treads. Under the first of them, dig a hole 300 mm deep for the foundation. The pit should be 200 mm wider than the span.
- Having compacted the soil at the bottom of the pit, fill it with a layer of fine crushed stone 200 mm thick, possibly mixed with sand. Compact the base. It also doesn’t hurt to compact all earthen steps if possible.
- Prepare concrete from cement, sand and crushed stone in the proportion indicated on the packaging of the building mixture. Place it in the hole and level it with a trowel and a rule; it is not necessary to install wooden formwork. The concrete hardening time, after which work can continue, is 21 days.
- Using the ready-made masonry mixture, lay the first riser from ceramic bricks, not forgetting to tie the stones together. Masonry is carried out not only with front side, but also on the sides to avoid soil sliding.
- After waiting until the solution sets a little, fill the space under the future tread and the gap between the side masonry and the ground with crushed stone. The crushed stone should be compacted so that the tiles lie flat on it and at a slight slope towards the riser. A slope is required to drain water.
- Apply the masonry mixture to the brickwork and crushed stone, then lay the paving slabs. The front edge of the tile should protrude 5 mm beyond the riser; maintain a gap of 8-10 mm between the elements. For final shrinkage of the slabs, they can be tapped with a wooden tool.
Video about making steps on a slope:
Subsequent steps are made in the same way, only a row of bricks is laid on the previous tread so that its useful width is at least 30 cm. The horizontal plane of the last step must be brought to the same level as the top covering (lawn or path). The gaps between the slabs are filled with masonry mortar and leveled, and the seams brickwork give shape using jointing. The previously removed turf is used to cover the openings on the sides of the stairs.
Other design options
Using the described method, a capital staircase can be laid out of natural stone, which requires some skills. The stones should be selected in such a way as to create a riser of the required height, and the upper plane of the masonry should be leveled using mortar. Using the same solution, you can form a tread plane, and then cover it with any porcelain tile. Just don’t lay tiles intended for interior works, - its surface is too slippery.
Video of steps in the garden:
If desired, the entire staircase can be cast from concrete, which is important in conditions of subsidence soils. You will have to dig an inclined trench, compact the soil and make a backfill of crushed stone, which is compacted well. The concrete is placed in formwork made of wooden boards; after hardening, it is removed. Such a flight of stairs is also finished as natural stone or covered with tiles and mosaics. The variety of finishing solutions is limited only by your imagination.
Such stairs on a slope or on a steep bank are cut into the ground. Measure the height of the slope (see below) to determine how many steps will be needed.
Building steps
Mark the contours and dimensions of the spans on the slope using twine stretched between pegs that are driven into the ground on both sides. Now stretch the horizontal strings to define the projections of the treads. Starting at the top of the steps, dig up the ground, giving the steps their original shape, and follow our instructions to build the staircase. Keep in mind that the less you step on these steps as you work, the better, so try to compact the soil from the sides.
On large flights of stairs with 10 steps or more, it is recommended to place a concrete base in the trench to stabilize the position of the bottom riser and prevent it from sliding down the slope.
Dig a trench under the first riser, it should be twice the width of the riser, 10 cm longer than the length of the step and 10 cm deeper. Fill the bottom of the trench with crushed stone, compact it and fill it with concrete mortar. Smooth it out and let it dry.
Place the first riser on concrete base bricks, blocks or stones, following the basic technique of bricklaying.
Built-in staircase on a slope
1. Stretch string between pegs driven into the ground on both sides of the stairs to determine the location of the spans and tread protrusions.
2. Use a shovel to form the initial contours of the steps, then tamp down the soil with a heavy wooden block.
3. Based on the position of the strings, give the steps a more precise shape, taking into account the height of the risers and the length of the treads.
4. Lay out the first riser of two rows of brickwork using a “spoon” dressing (if necessary, on a concrete base).
5. Pour crushed stone behind the riser until the beginning of the second riser, i.e., when filling the surface of the first tread, compact it well and fill it with sand.
6. Place the slabs on the mortar around their perimeter, aligning the projections with the stretched strings.
7. Make a slope for water drainage by slightly lifting the slabs at the back. Use an adjusting shim to ensure that the slope is the same everywhere (see p. Foundation in formwork).
A staircase is sometimes the only solution for connecting areas of different levels in the garden or for moving from one place to another. These semi-circular steps lead from the patio to a courtyard enclosed by a wooden pergola where the family dine al fresco.
How to cut bricks and blocks
For a standard “spoon” dressing, you will need halves of bricks or blocks at the beginning or end of each of the two rows of masonry. In order to break a brick or block into halves, draw a straight line on it with a chisel, place it on a solid flat surface and cut with a chisel by hitting it with a sledgehammer.
HOW TO MEASURE THE HEIGHT OF A SLOPE
To determine the number of steps on the stairs, you need to measure the height of the slope. To do this, drive a peg at the top of the slope and a long stick at the bottom and connect them with twine, which must be pulled strictly horizontally (check this with a spirit level). Now measure the height of the stick from ground level to the twine. If you cannot get an even number of steps, you will have to increase the height of the slope by digging out the soil at the bottom or pouring it at the top.
How to lay out the first tread
Place crushed stone behind the first riser and compact it, being careful not to dislodge the riser itself. Add more gravel to the base of the first tread and compact well again. Now you can lay out the first tread.
Slab tread. Place the slab on the prepared base and align its front edge with the first stretched string. If it matches exactly, remove the plate, lay out concrete mortar along the perimeter of the tile or at its four corners and in the center, or in a continuous layer if the stairs will be used intensively.
When laying the slab on the base, move it in different directions so that it fits better on the mortar. If the step consists of two slabs, place the second slab next to the first, leaving a small gap between them, which then needs to be covered with a dry mixture (sand and cement in a ratio of 1:3).
Use a spirit level to check whether both slabs are laid at the same level. Do not forget also about the slope for rainwater drainage (1.2 cm). Gently but firmly hit the front edge of the slabs with a sledgehammer to create a slope.
Small tread. Bricks or blocks as tread material can be laid on the mortar in the same way as slabs. The tabs, as always, should overhang the riser. It is also necessary to make a slight slope to the front border to drain rainwater.
Steps are an important element landscape design at the dacha or local area with a slope. Making such a decorative design with your own hands is not too difficult, but you need to prepare the necessary tools and materials, as well as choose the best design option.
How to make steps on the slope of a summer cottage with your own hands
Decorating a slope with a staircase involves taking into account several important factors presented by:
- location of groundwater;
- slope slope;
- geological features of the soil;
- the presence of a danger of washing away the site in the spring or from a body of water located on the territory;
- level of soil pressure on the slope;
- the presence of buildings and vegetation;
- general landscape concept.
To make the design durable and strong, beautiful and practical, you should take care of purchasing in advance necessary tools and materials
It is also necessary to correctly determine the materials used in the manufacture of the structure and the designation of the construction work area.
Required materials and tools
To make the design durable and strong, beautiful and practical, you should take care in advance to purchase the necessary tools and materials:
- wooden or metal pegs;
- long metal or wooden pole;
- strong and long enough rope;
- building brick;
- concrete finishing slabs;
- fine crushed stone;
- dry cement mixture;
- container for preparing cement mortar;
- hammer;
- building level and tape measure;
- bayonet and shovel;
- Master OK.
Depending on the type of design, additional purchases are required. facing materials and lighting elements.
Step-by-step instruction
There are several basic options for stairs that allow you to properly and aesthetically organize space on a slope of any height. They all differ in the materials used, appearance and labor costs during production. Despite the simplicity of any work with wood, the best option After all, the construction of brick-concrete steps will begin using the following technology:
Approximate design parameters
| Height under steps, cm | Tread width, cm |
| 11 | 45 |
| 12,5–13 | 43 |
| 14 | 40 |
| 15 | 38 |
| 16,5–17 | 33 |
If the staircase on a slope consists of a large number of steps, then designers recommend separating the flights of stairs with special platforms. It is desirable to equip them in areas where traffic direction changes.
Areas of sufficient size can be decorated with decorative but functional benches or benches, as well as elegant and compact architectural forms or flowerpots.
A harmonious addition landscape style there will be stone steps decorated with ferns, saxifrage and decorative ground covers
Experts in the field of landscape design consider it advisable to use Construction Materials more light color. Thoughtful lighting ensures comfort and safety during evening walks. When choosing a floristry concept the best option will be decorated in the style of a mountainous area. It is imperative to take into account the location of the slope and staircase structure according to the cardinal directions.
To increase the rigidity of the structure, side stringers are used longitudinal boards, which are placed on the edge to fix the steps
Any areas with stairs located on the northern slope have their own advantages. In such areas there is an excellent opportunity to use shade-tolerant ornamental vegetation in the design, even in the absence of a highly efficient artificial water supply system. On the southern slopes, the design of the staircase involves growing plants that can withstand drought and high temperatures.
Design ideas
Modern landscape design of a staircase on a slope can look very unusual and stylish. Ramps are a practical addition if there are elderly people or small children in the family.
A slight slope of 1–2% of the tread depth in each step will prevent water from stagnating
Stone staircase elements can withstand significant mechanical loads, do not lose their attractiveness under the influence of fire and water, and also have a decorative appearance.
If you need to connect small differences, where even three steps would look somewhat cumbersome, you can simply level the area or build an additional embankment
A small garden staircase, made of treated wood and filled with decorative pebbles, looks very organic in landscape design in almost any direction.
You can even make a miniature recreation area out of a flight of stairs: place a table with a bench, install an umbrella, attach a small lantern
Original budget option will be the use of small wooden platforms when decorating a garden staircase structure.
To avoid opening the ground and collapsing steps, it is necessary to build a retaining wall
Concrete stones of different sizes that remain after repair work, can be used to create practical, original form garden steps.
The width of the steps should be proportionate to the steepness of the climb
A bright and stylish mosaic staircase will help complement the unusual landscape design of the local area with a small slope in height and width.
The wider the staircase, the greater the field for creativity: on the sides of the spacious steps you can install floor vases with flowers, and the railings can be woven with beautiful flowering vines and climbing plants
A large staircase structure, independently made of finishing bricks or paving slabs, is practical option for a slope with a significant slope.
When designing stairs, the main thing is not to disturb the plasticity of the relief
Log garden steps, impregnated with special compounds, are perfect for the steepest climbs.
A mosaic of wooden stumps is made from the trunk and thick branches of a tree, cutting logs 10–15 cm high
Granite paving stones in last years It is increasingly used to create landscape stairs; this design is characterized by durability, practicality and noble appearance.
Most often, stairs are equipped with railings, but for small transitional structures with gentle steps, the presence of railings is not at all necessary
The connecting element can also be a real wooden staircase. This could be, for example, a rise from a river or pond.
As finishing coating It is better to use a material with a non-slip surface
Taking into account the basic nuances and rules for creating a staircase with your own hands, you will receive a reliable, functional and beautiful design With minimal costs time and financial resources.
