Granite is the darling of home design. Homeowners love it for everything from kitchen countertops to fireplaces. It has a beautiful profile, and it’s durable, making it the material of choice for many projects.
You may not think of granite when you are designing your outdoor projects, but it is an ideal material for all kinds of hardscaping projects. In particular, granite is an excellent option for stairs – whether you are upgrading your entry stairs or you are adding stairs to a patio, retaining wall, or slope in your yard. The designers at Triad Associates frequently use granite for outdoor steps, and it achieves a gorgeous look with long-lasting results.
Here are just a few of the many reasons why you should consider using granite for your outdoor steps if you are looking to add some hardscaping to your home or to remodel your current hardscaping:
Available in Many Shapes and Sizes
Granite may seem like an implacable stone because of its hard surface and heavy weight, but it can be shaped into many different finished products. To start, it can be cut with a variety of methods, each producing a different surface texture. For example, it can be split by machine, or it can be hand-chiseled. These methods produce a different look for the top or the front of the stairs, which contributes to the overall look of your design.
Granite can also be cut into different shapes. You can use it for traditional, rectangular stairs, or you can use it for circular and semicircular stairs. Adding semicircular stairs to an entry or exit gives it a formal look that will instantly elevate your property’s profile. Add some accessory elements like potted plants or stone columns and you’ll create a stunning design.
You don’t have to choose an entirely new shape. Granite can also be shaped along the edges. You can choose rounded corners for a unique look and a safer surface that is much less likely to cut or scrape guests. Other corner profiles are available, as well, to meet your design goals or other specifications.
Finally, granite comes in a variety of colors and shades, allowing you to achieve the look you want for your space. Earth tones are common, as are shades of gray. You can choose a color that best compliments your home’s exterior, as well as any other landscaping or hardscaping elements you may have, such as a patio, retaining walls, or columns.
The designers at Triad Associates can help you explore the options for your granite steps and choose the right combination to achieve the look you want, not only for the steps themselves, but also for your overall hardscaping design and exterior. Our designers use material samples, sketches, and 3D design software to help you visualize your options so that you can be sure of your results. Our designers work closely with you to understand your vision, and then make tailored suggestions to help you achieve your goals. If you need design inspiration, they can provide that, as well.
Versatility in Installation
While many homeowners choose large granite slabs for their steps, others find it cumbersome (and more costly) to haul in these giant stones. Fortunately, granite offers versatility in installation options. Granite risers and treads are available, which are thin strips of granite that can be installed over a concrete form. These allow you to get the look of granite, with all the same great benefits, without the intense installation and at a lower cost. Talk to our designers to learn how this option might benefit you while still getting the look you want.
Durability for Long-Lasting Results
Granite is one of the most durable materials used in home design. It is especially suited for outdoor use. Granite resists changes from the cycles of freezing and thawing that happen each year, so you don’t have to worry about it cracking or shifting position. You just need to be sure that it is installed on a proper base of packed gravel and concrete to ensure that it doesn’t move over time. The experienced designers at Triad Associates will ensure that your granite steps are properly installed for long-lasting results.
You can expect to get generations of enjoyment from granite. You also won’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning or maintaining it. It will last for years and look beautiful the whole time.
Non-Slip Surface for Enhanced Safety
Granite has a naturally non-slip surface, which makes it a great choice for outdoor areas that get a lot of foot traffic, such as steps. Your steps can take a lot of rain or get covered in snow, and they will provide a stable surface area. Granite’s non-slip properties make it an especially good choice in the Haverhill area, which gets plenty of ice and snow each year.
Beautiful Look
Granite has an undeniable beauty that can elevate the profile of any project. It is elegant and sophisticated, and it can be used to make your home look more luxurious. However, its look is versatile enough that it can also fit right in with a more natural aesthetic. You just can’t go wrong with granite!
Improved Property Value
The benefits of granite are well-known. When potential buyers see granite in your property, they know that they are looking at a high-quality material that will give them reliable performance for years to come, and they are willing to pay more for it. Adding granite steps – or granite anything else – to your property will improve your property value.
Hire the Designers at Triad Associates to Install Your Granite Steps or Upgrade Your Hardscaping
The designers at Triad Associates are known as the hardscaping experts in the Haverhill area, and they are ready to transform your property with the right hardscaping elements. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our hardscaping designers, and start exploring your options for new steps for your entry or exit or for areas of your landscaping. We’re ready to help you get the perfect look for your home or business!
