Back door steps

[artie]

I finally got around to starting to fix the back door step.

It was covered with old red/brown terracotta tiles, which were falling off.

At least until I tried to take off the remaining ones, which had a surprising grip.

I got that done and wondered what I would use to recover it.

Then I thought it didn't need to protrude into the driveway so much. About 1 m. and if I shortened a little, two cars could pass more easily.

So I borrowed a heavy duty crowbar and a few blisters later, I had this.

Looking at it I couldn't figure what to do with it. So I fired up the crowbar again and produced this.

Now I have a clean slate sort of, I'd like some suggestions how to proceed.


The pit is about 1400 by 800 and it's about 400 from the bottom of the pit to the original step. I can likely dig it down, or fill it up easily enough.

Is two 400mm steps the way to go and is there a min/max riser height recommended.

Would two 300mm steps be acceptable as this would give another 200mm driveway, which would make a significant difference.

Lastly, since I have put some sweat and skin into this, I'd like it to look passable when finished but I don't live in a mansion so working class ambiance will suffice.

What should I use to form them?

 

[MikeJhn]

Timber decking can look very good if stained sympathetically. Grey?

Or DPM, concrete flush to surface and them whatever you want.

 

[Noel]

Timber decking can look very good if stained sympathetically. Grey?

Until you start a bit of break dancing on a wet winter evening. : )

Artie, hardly much of a drop there, I'd concrete over the hole and build a small single step just less than half the original size (outwards) so room for cars..

 

[artie]

Timber decking can look very good if stained sympathetically. Grey?

Or DPM, concrete flush to surface and them whatever you want.

I'd like use concrete, stone , brick etc. Don't want to be doing it again

Until you start a bit of break dancing on a wet winter evening. : )

Artie, hardly much of a drop there, I'd concrete over the hole and build a small single step just less than half the original size (outwards) so room for cars..

If I level up the pit there will be +- 300mm to the finished top step. OK for me but SWMBO is a little vertically challenged and might be unhappy.

I was thinking maybe 300 step from the back door 150 drop to another 300mm step, 150 drop to the drive level.

But never having done steps, I'm not sure what's acceptable.

edit to add the step at the door at present is barely 200mm

 

[Tris]

Building regs suggest a riser of 150-170mm and a minimum tread depth (front to back as it were) of 280mm.
You are about spot on for that

 

[Hypnotic Chimera]

Building regs suggest a riser of 150-170mm and a minimum tread depth (front to back as it were) of 280mm.
You are about spot on for that

Ideal, then, to take the level of the back door floor area out to 280mm deep, and another 280mm deep step, both rise 150mm. Spot on for max car space - or 290 or 300mm depth on both if 280mm looks a bit too stingy?

The top level could be width of the door alcove, and the mid step could widen out by 280mm for an "all around" step...

 

[Noel]

I'd like use concrete, stone , brick etc. Don't want to be doing it again



If I level up the pit there will be +- 300mm to the finished top step. OK for me but SWMBO is a little vertically challenged and might be unhappy.

I was thinking maybe 300 step from the back door 150 drop to another 300mm step, 150 drop to the drive level.

But never having done steps, I'm not sure what's acceptable.

edit to add the step at the door at present is barely 200mm

The only thing that needs to be acceptable is that your wife is happy to step up or down on. 150mm drop I imagine would be ideal. I often use standard bricks L215 x W100 x H65. By the time you've accounted for mortar and a finish (slate or tile or whatever) it should be ok and look well too.

 

[Fergie 307]

Wooden former to make shallow concrete steps then paving slabs on top cut to a suitable size. Would blend in well. The old really thick council paving slabs are great if you can get hold of some.