Concrete Stairs

Concrete has become a very common material for building stairs and steps for many years. The strength and durability of a concrete step is one of the main benefits for why this material is chosen over other stairs, such as wood stairs. Nowadays you can choose such options as precast concrete steps, concrete stairway, concrete staircase, or start from scratch and pour them yourself. Clearly you would need design, engineering, and construction experience to pour concrete steps, so give us a call today to discuss the options that are best for you.

What is the minimum tread depth?

The tread on concrete stairs, or any other kind of stairs, the flat horizontal step that you actually walk on. The tread depth is the length from the nose of one step, to the nose of the next step. According to the International Residential Code, the minimum tread depth should be 10 inches, however this can depend also on your local building codes. That’s why it’s important to work with professional concrete contractors that can help you design and build stairs that are safe, durable, and compliant with local building codes. Concrete treads also need to have proper reinforcement, but are durable, reduce noise, and provide fire resistance. Give us a call today and we can consult with you regarding the proper tread depth for your particular project.

Can you buy premade cement steps?

Precast concrete stairs can be a great idea if you know the look you are looking for. These are concrete steps or stairs that have been molded and poured before hand, and simply require installation, without the process of building concrete steps completely from scratch. Building concrete steps from scratch may require more time, more equipment use such as having the concrete truck around for longer, so getting precast concrete steps, could potentially be the best option for you.

Are concrete stairs cheaper than wood stairs?

When it comes to cost, wooden stairs are the most economical and easiest building material. Concrete steps can be more expensive if you have only find pre-poured ones in standard dimensions or stone that require cutting of materials before fitting them into place; however they last longer than any other type which makes up for their higher initial price tag over time due to its durability.

What is the maximum riser height?

The maximum riser height is how tall each individual stair is. Once again this will be determined by local building codes, but typically they range from 4 to 7 inches. Being to short or too tall will make it difficult for people to safely use concrete steps/concrete stairs, and it’s important to consider the ease of use and safety.

What is an Exposed Aggregate Finish?

An exposed aggregate finish is when there is no sealer or paint applied to a concrete step. The aggregates which are tiny pieces of stone, remain visible and “exposed” on the surface of the concrete step/concrete stairs. These steps tend to easily show wear and tear and may require more upkeep than a painted or finished concrete step. This finish has a great look that is popular with concrete stairs, but also provide durability, and a non slip

How do you make concrete floating stairs?

Floating stairs, or cantilevered steps, are a great choice if your stairway/staircase does not have room for support underneath. These types of concrete steps require great precision in the engineering stage with thin metal struts to hold up the weight that is being applied to them from above. The benefit is that they can be very structurally sound, but take up much less room. The downside is if they are not installed properly, or not designed well, the stairs could collapse under the weight applied to them.