How to Build a Stone Staircase

A stone staircase adds to the functionality and appearance of gardens built on slopes and stone paths through hilly yards. Although the staircase's stone steps are not difficult to build, the labor-intensive project requires strength and endurance. A large amount of digging and hauling are involved. If you are not sure you're up to the task, ask a family member or friend to help or even hire a contractor.

Stones
Shovel
Measuring tape
Gravel
Tamper
Masonry adhesive

Instructions

- 1
  Choose the stones you plan to use for the steps. The top of the staircase needs flat stones that are as wide as the staircase and about 2 inches thick. They also must be a few inches deeper than the portion on which people will step; the extra inches accommodate overlapping from subsequent stair steps. The project requires as many of those kinds of stones for stair steps as the staircase will include. Smaller stones are needed for the back of each step.Those stones should be about 3 inches deep, 2 inches shorter than the stair steps, and as wide as the staircase.
- 2
  Choose the slope where your stone staircase will be located. The staircase should start at the bottom of the hill, or grade, rather than midway up the slope. If your stone staircase is only midway up the grade, then the hill may wash out below the stairs.
- 3
  Dig the location for the first step at the bottom of the staircase's location. Make the hole about 4 inches deep and as wide as the step.
- 4
  Fill the hole with gravel, and compact the gravel with a tamper.
- 5
  Lay a flat stone on the gravel. It will be the first step.
- 6
  Place a bead of masonry adhesive on the back of the stone you just laid on the gravel. Place a stone that is 2 inches shorter than the next stair step on the bead of masonry adhesive. This stone will form the front of the next step.
- 7
  Dig a 4-inch deep hole in the hill for the gravel for the next stair step, but leave a retaining wall of soil about 2 inches thick at the front of the hole. The retaining wall should be positioned behind the stone you just inserted in Step 6. Fill the hole with gravel, and then tamp it down with the tamper.
- 8
  Lay the stone for the next stair step on top of the gravel you laid in Step 7. Make the stone overlap the stone you laid in Step 6.
- 9
  Place a bead of masonry adhesive on the back of the stair step you just laid. Place a stone that is 2 inches shorter than the next stair step on the bead of masonry adhesive at the back of the stair step you just installed.
- 10
  Repeat Steps 7, 8 and 9 until you build the entire stone staircase.

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