How to Build Stone Stairways

Building a stone stairway can be an intimidating task for any builder, whether a beginner or a seasoned professional. The key, however, is proper preparation, which can render the project much less intimidating and can ensure that you wind up with a stone stairway to be proud of.

Stone steps
Step riser
Back riser
Gravel
Galvanized spike nails
Plastic clips
Manual gravel compactor
Mechanical plate compactor
Hammer drill
Stone cutter
Construction sand
Broom
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Ensure the base for the stairwell is thoroughly compacted and perfectly leveled.
- 2
  Nail the first row of step risers to the stairwell base, then seat the back risers.
- 3
  Attach the plastic clips to the stone steps with glue, then seat the stone steps on the first row of step risers and back risers.
- 4
  Fill with gravel to the height of the first row of stone steps.
- 5
  Compact the gravel using the mechanical compactor, then check to see that the gravel is properly leveled and at the height of the first row of stone steps. Adjust as needed until level.
- 6
  Repeat the above steps for all the subsequent rows of stone steps except for the last row.
- 7
  At the last row, add gravel to the level of the row of risers minus the thickness of the top patio stone. Usually, the thickness of the patio stone will be equal to the thickness of the stone step.
- 8
  Add limestone and make sure once again that the top of the gravel is perfectly leveled.
- 9
  Seat the top patio stone according to the patio stone layout that you chose, starting from one corner. Some patio stair designs may require a stone cutter in order to make all the pieces fit together.
- 10
  Add sand between the top patio stones, then sweep away the excess with a broom.

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