Concrete Steps & Stairs

Why Concrete Steps Are the Smart Choice

The steps leading to your front door, back deck, or basement see constant use and need to handle every kind of weather. Wood steps rot, warp, and need frequent painting or staining. Metal steps rust and become slippery. Stone steps are expensive and can shift over time. Concrete steps give you a permanent solution that requires almost no maintenance and stays safe and functional for decades.

Safety is the most important reason to choose concrete. Properly designed and built concrete steps have consistent dimensions that your feet and brain expect. Each step is the same height and depth, which prevents the missteps that cause falls. The surface can be textured for traction, and handrails can be anchored securely into the concrete. Unlike wood that develops soft spots or metal that becomes slick when wet, concrete provides reliable footing year-round.

Concrete steps also handle weather better than any other material. They will not rot, rust, or deteriorate from moisture. Freeze-thaw cycles that destroy other materials barely affect properly constructed concrete steps. Hot sun will not warp them or make them too hot to touch. They simply sit there doing their job year after year with minimal care. When you factor in the cost of replacing or maintaining other types of steps over 20 or 30 years, concrete is clearly the most economical choice.

Designing Safe and Comfortable Steps

Building code requirements for steps exist for good reasons. They ensure steps are safe and comfortable for everyone, including children, elderly people, and those with mobility challenges. Here are the key design factors we consider when building your concrete steps.

Rise and Run Dimensions

The rise is the vertical height of each step, typically between 6 and 8 inches for residential stairs. The run or tread is the horizontal depth, usually 10 to 11 inches minimum. These dimensions follow building codes and ergonomic research about what feels natural and safe. All steps in a flight must have the same rise and run. Even a half-inch difference between steps can cause trips and falls because your body expects consistency.

Width and Landings

Steps should be at least 36 inches wide for comfortable single-file use, wider for heavy traffic or accessibility needs. If you have more than three steps, building codes often require a landing at the top with enough space to safely open your door and stand. We also consider where you are coming from and going to, making sure the steps connect smoothly to walkways and entries.

Surface and Edges

The tread surface needs texture for traction without being so rough it is uncomfortable. We typically use a broom finish or light texture. The front edge of each step, called the nosing, can be rounded slightly for safety and to prevent chipping. We can also add contrasting color or texture at step edges to improve visibility, especially helpful for people with vision problems.

• Handrails: Steps with more than three risers typically require at least one handrail. We install handrail posts and anchors as part of the concrete work.
• Drainage: Steps need proper slope to shed water. Standing water leads to ice in winter and accelerated wear. We design steps with slight slopes for drainage.
• Lighting Considerations: We can install conduit for lighting fixtures during the concrete work, making it easier to add step lighting later for safety.

Every step project at WLS Wilson Concrete starts with careful measurement and planning. We follow building codes, consider how you will actually use the steps, and design them for both safety and appearance. The same attention to detail we bring to walkway installations goes into every step we build.

Building Concrete Steps That Last

Concrete steps require more precision and skill than pouring a simple slab. The forming work is complex, the concrete must be placed carefully, and the finishing needs to create safe, attractive steps. Here is how we build concrete steps that perform well for decades.

Foundation work comes first. Steps need a solid footing below the frost line, just like any other concrete structure. We excavate to the proper depth, install a gravel base, and pour reinforced footings. This foundation prevents settling that would crack the steps and create trip hazards. Shortcuts on the foundation lead to problems that are expensive to fix later.

Forming is the most time-consuming part of building steps. We construct wooden forms for each tread and riser, making sure all dimensions are exact and consistent. The forms must be level, square, and properly braced to hold their shape when concrete is poured. We double-check all measurements because once concrete is poured, you cannot easily adjust dimensions. This forming work separates professional step construction from amateur attempts.

We install steel reinforcement in the forms before pouring. Rebar or wire mesh gives the steps strength and helps prevent cracking. If the steps are attached to a building or landing, we tie the reinforcement into those structures for a solid connection. Then we pour concrete, working from the bottom step up. We consolidate the concrete to eliminate air pockets and carefully shape each tread and riser.

Finishing requires skill to create safe, attractive treads. We use edging tools to round corners slightly, trowels to smooth surfaces, and brooms or texture tools to add traction. If you want decorative elements like exposed aggregate or colored concrete, this is when we apply them. After finishing, the concrete needs time to cure properly before you can use the steps. We leave forms in place for several days to support the concrete while it gains strength. The result is steps that look good and perform safely for your entire family.

Frequently Asked Questions