Kandla Grey sandstone stepping stones and steps in Givors

The project

In a sloping garden in Givors, the owners wanted to link the terrace to the vegetable garden below without paving over the lawn.

The choices

They chose Kandla Grey sandstone stepping stones for the flat section and five block steps in the same sandstone for the slope.

An outdoor stone staircase can be built with solid block steps or by cladding an existing concrete staircase (treads and risers). A textured finish on the treads and a well-shaped nosing improve safety. Special lengths and cuts can be made to measure in our workshop.

Kandla Grey is a sandstone in grey shades with a naturally textured surface that keeps its grip in the rain. Solid block steps can be set without an existing concrete staircase.

Installation

The client laid the stepping stones on a sand bed and the steps on a concrete footing himself, over two weekends.

Stepping stones are laid on a compacted bed of sand or grit, slightly below lawn level so the mower can pass over them.

Cladding treads are laid on a sound concrete base with a slight forward fall to shed water, using an outdoor-grade adhesive or mortar. Solid block steps are set directly on a stable foundation.

The result

A path of about twenty metres and a five-step staircase that make the lower garden accessible in all seasons.

Sandstone weathers slightly over time; occasional cleaning is enough to limit moss in shaded areas.