Build your own garden steps from bricks to add decorative or practical appeal to your outdoor space. These brick garden steps are suitable for either a small front yard or a large patio area. The steps can become the focal point in an otherwise drab yard, or they can help create seating on an expansive deck area. Brick steps are the perfect complement to the perfect garden, so you need to know how to build them. Building brick steps can be a tricky project, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create your own stylish walkway in no time.
While building a brick garden steps is a relatively simple project, it’s one that requires careful planning and measuring to ensure that the finished product matches your expectations. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to build a set of brick steps that can be used in your landscaping as decorative pieces and functional access points between terraces or levels.
Brick steps add a unique look to your garden or patio. You can build brick steps by yourself or with a friend; it doesn’t take much experience with bricklaying to accomplish this project. You’ll be surprised how easy it is! The key to success is careful planning and laying out the steps before you lay any bricks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for building your own brick garden steps.
Choose Your Materials
The first step in building brick garden steps is to choose your materials. Brick, the most common type of masonry used for these structures, has several advantages. It’s durable and strong, which means it can hold up against the elements without wearing out or breaking down easily. Brick is also easy to work with because it doesn’t require any special tools or skills if you know how to use a hammer and chisel, that’s all it takes! Bricks come in different sizes and shapes: square bricks are available in different heights; rectangular bricks are available with flat sides or rounded corners; triangular shaped cut bricks (called headers) may be used as risers at the edge of stairs where they would otherwise be exposed; quarter round bricks can be used as caps on risers or treads for added visual interest; half-round headers provide an aesthetic contrast against square risers if installed next to them. Finally, there are many varieties of colored bricks available so that you can choose one that matches with your existing landscape design.
Prep the Site
- Make sure the ground is level.
- Prepare the subbase.
- Prepare the concrete.
- Prepare the brick.
- Prepare the mortar.
- Prepare the stringers.
Cut and Lay the Stringers
Before you start cutting your stringers, make sure to do the following:
- Use a masonry saw to cut the stringers.
- Make absolutely certain that the saw is very sharp and is properly aligned with the blade. The blade needs to be square with each face of the stringer.
- Use a long length of 2×4 as your guide for cutting each stringer lengthwise (the top of one stringer should always be parallel with another). This helps ensure that all pieces will be identical.
- Make sure that all levels are level and don’t forget about those spirit levels.
Lay the First Step
- Lay the first step in the center of the stringers.
- Use a level to make sure it’s level.
- You can use your stringers as guides by placing them on top of each other and stepping between them. Place one stringer at a time over where you want to lay each step, with about an inch or two on either side for expansion. Once you have your first row placed, use a chalk line to mark where their ends meet up with each other; this will give you an idea of how many more rows of stringer you need before laying down any bricks.
Add the Rest of the Steps
To add the rest of the steps, start by placing a level at each side of the steps. Add bricks to it and make sure that it is level before adding any other bricks. Once you have confirmed that your first course of bricks is level, you can use it as a guide for laying down the next course. To do this, simply place your second course over the first one so that they touch in several places and then fill in any areas around them with mortar using your trowel. When you are finished layering all five courses of brickwork, add another layer of mortar to cover everything evenly and make sure that there are no gaps between any layers as this will cause drainage problems later on when water gets through cracks into your foundation walls or basement flooring system (especially if you plan on having plants right next to them).
Fill in Between Steps
You’re almost done. As you place each brick, run a trowel over the joint to remove excess mortar. To attach your last row of bricks, hold each one in place with your fingers and tap them down with a hammer. Use a chisel to trim off any excess mortar that has squeezed out between the joints. When all of your steps are laid out, smooth out any remaining mortar using a trowel.
Building brick garden steps is a great way to give your patio or garden a rustic look.
Building brick garden steps is a great way to give your patio or garden a rustic look. Bricks are easy to find and relatively inexpensive, available in a wide variety of colors, easy to install, and easy to replace if needed. They’re also durable and look good even when they get dirty.
If you’re just starting out with this kind of project there’s no reason not to do it yourself – if you can follow instructions then chances are you’ll be able to build these steps on your own.
Final words
Learning how to build brick garden steps is a great way to add functionality and charm to your outdoor space. These steps are made from basic and affordable materials, with some added flair for style. As long as you take your time and follow our tips, you’ll have no problem creating these diy brick garden steps.
