Most yards are not perfectly flat and easy to traverse. Most yards also have areas of uneven elevation that have to be dealt with, sometimes with retaining walls or rock formations and sometimes with minimalistic structures like curbs and garden borders. But in some areas of your yard, you may need a solution that helps you do more than manage the land. You may also need to provide more functional access.

Natural stone steps give you a beautiful option to more easily traverse elevations in the space. Stone steps also create a more rustic look that ties in better with natural landscaping.

Benefits of Natural Stone Steps

There are a lot of benefits to using natural stone steps in your yard, including:

Aesthetic Appeal

You have many options for creating steps in your yard, including pavers and polished stones. However, natural stone has an aesthetic appeal that stands apart. The steps can be combined with accent stones and plants to create a beautiful look that’s like a natural trail through the woods or along a stream.

Durability

Natural stone is very hard and, therefore, quite durable. Steps made of natural stone can last for hundreds of years – well beyond your own lifetime, certainly. They will not crack or crumble unless they are seriously damaged from heavy equipment or an accident.

Sustainability

Stone is a naturally occurring material, and it is plentiful. When you use natural stone for your stairs, you are choosing a sustainable material. The natural stone does not have to be processed as much as other product types, so fewer resources go into its production. Using natural stone does not harm natural resources or create toxic byproducts.

Unique Patterns and Shapes

Manufactured stone and pavers all have a consistent shape, texture, and color. They are mass-produced, and they are designed to offer a specific look. Natural stone steps may be cut into shape, but they are only lightly manipulated. The stone is left as close to natural as possible, so it has a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. By choosing natural stone for your steps, you will create a unique design that will help your property stand out.

Natural Stone Steps and Designs

Coming up with the design for your hardscaping can be a lot of fun. You have the chance to really show off your creativity and to design something that you’ll love and that will impress your guests. Work closely with your hardscaping designer to explore your options and determine the best design to highlight your property. Here are some options you might consider:

Natural Stone Risers and Retaining Wall

Stone stairs only cover a small area of land. Typically, there would still be a large hill or mound on each side of the stairs, which can pose ongoing problems for land management. You may have a way to easily move through the space, but you may still be dealing with erosion and other issues. Combining your natural stone steps with a retaining wall can give you a functional and aesthetically pleasing solution. The stairs will tie into the sides of the retaining wall, which will create a cohesive design and help manage weeds and runoff.

Explore options for combining stone types for your stairs and retaining wall. You can use interesting combinations of stone types, colors, and textures to create a beautiful look.

Tumbled Stone Tread

Adding a tread to stairs is an easy way to create a design accent for greater visual interest. The tread stone can be a contrasting or complementary texture or color, depending on the look you want to create.

Consider a tumbled stone tread for a sophisticated look. The stone has almost a gun metal texture that provides a lovely contrast to the natural material. Adding tumbled stone tread to your natural stone steps will elevate the design.

Natural Stone Blocks

Brick is a popular material for hardscaping design. Its consistent, geometric shape makes it easy to create sturdy designs in a wide variety of patterns. You can achieve similar results with natural stone by choosing natural stone blocks. These square and rectangular-shaped stones have been cut to shape, but they retain their rustic aesthetic with a rough texture and uneven coloring. They can be stacked and mortared to create orderly steps and walls.

Installation Process

Long-lasting hardscaping requires the right site preparation and installation. At Triad Associates, we perform a thorough site assessment to determine installation needs, including providing for proper drainage. We assess the soil, determine the proper slope, and check for obstacles like clay soil, rocks, or tree stumps. To install the stone steps, these obstacles will first be addressed appropriately, and then the land will be prepared with grading and leveling where needed. Drainage and weed control measures will be put in place before the stairs are finally installed. Any design accents, such as boulders or plantings, would then be installed to complete the project.

Maintenance and Care

Typically, the only thing you’ll need to do to maintain your natural stone steps is keep them free of dirt and debris. You can sweep them regularly or use a leaf blower to blow off any dirt. You can use a mild cleanser and soft brush to get out any mud or spills.

Seal the stone steps each year to keep stains from setting in and to protect them from the elements.

Hire Triad Associates’ Natural Stone Step Experts Today

Natural stone steps can be a beautiful addition to your hardscaping. They can help you evenly divide and manage land elevations, and they can add a new aesthetic element to your overall design. The hardscaping experts at Triad Associates can help you design beautiful natural stone steps that will elevate your property’s curb appeal. Call today to schedule a consultation with our natural stone step experts and learn more. We’ll help you explore your options through the use of material samples, design sketches, and 3D design software. You’ll be amazed at how natural stone steps can improve the look of your space!