BUILDING STEPS INTO A HILL | HOW TO BUILD STEPS ON A SLOPE

BUILDING STEPS INTO A HILL | HOW TO BUILD STEPS ON A SLOPE | HOW TO BUILD LANDSCAPE STAIRS

Рет қаралды 279,236

Күн бұрын

Are you looking for an AFFORDABLE and easy way to build stairs on a slope? We'll show you step by step to create steps on a hill with stacked stone and flagstone chips.
Certainly one of the main reasons we purchased our current home was the wooded and secluded lot. Steve and I immediately knew this was the backyard we were looking for.
We love to hike and enjoy nature and that's exactly what this property offered.
However, it did come with its challenges. In particular, with the entire backyard on a slope and many areas very steep, we needed to come up with an affordable idea to create a series of stairs.
At first I thought flagstone or fieldstone stairs would be amazing until I priced them out. Yikes! That would never fit into our budget.
Then the idea came to me, why not make steps like I see on hiking trails. Where there is a rock or log retaining soil behind it.
As it happens we even had a large amount of leftover stacked stone from a little retaining wall we had built. So the cost of this project would be minimal.
When installing our outdoor stone steps we used basic gardening tools:
shovel
rake
pick mattock
level
tamper tool
The supplies we used to create our stone steps for backyard:
flagstone chips
stacked stone
The stacked stone we used for our steps were leftover from our small retaining wall we built for our garden area.
In fact, we found the stacked stone through the online classifieds. As luck would have it someone was taking out a retaining wall and we were able to get 3 trailer loads full for only $100.
After building our wall, we moved the remaining pieces to the backyard, just waiting for another project.
Flagstone chips are a great choice for pathways or steps because of its natural binding ability and compaction. We had already used it for a pathway and around our raised garden beds.
To find flagstone chips in your area, do a google search. You'll find it located at local nurseries and landscaping companies. We have purchased it in bulk and had it delivered as well as by the bag for smaller areas.
These stone steps have truly transformed the slope in our backyard. Making it possible to easily arrive at each destination of our yard. In fact, we've created a fire pit area, a couple of areas with swings, as well as a zipline. Now each area is easily accessible with stone steps.
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And as always here at Sunny Side Design
WE HOPE TO BRING YOUR HOME TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET!

Пікірлер: 143

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have a slope on your property? Whether your slope is large or small these stone steps in your landscape will transform your yard. How would you use this idea in your yard?

@Mellaninmoves 15 күн бұрын

Wywtw we sit e

@g.montoya5658 2 жыл бұрын

I finally found a way to do the same thing. I need to make steps on a hill to get up to the front door. This is DIY. All the rest of the other videos that says DIY take a professional. The point in DIY is for the reason of not spending money. Thank you so much.

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

We’re glad you liked this idea for creating steps. Agreed! That’s exactly why we DIY, because we don’t ever want to pay anyone else 🤣 Thanks so much for watching and for your comment!

@g.montoya5658 2 жыл бұрын

@@2thesunnyside Your welcome.

@MsSinth Жыл бұрын

This is the best video ive ever come across for those of us who just want a simple garden steps

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your sweet comment MsSinth! And that's truly what they are...simple. Thanks for watching our channel, we appreciate it! 🙌🏻 Have a good one!

@fredo4552 11 ай бұрын

Good job Steve

@2thesunnyside 11 ай бұрын

We will let him know! 🙌🏻 We really did help too 🤣 We just didn't think to film ourselves in action. This was one of our earlier videos we filmed.

@Lisa-oz1lv 2 жыл бұрын

The stairs look really natural and how nice that you already had much of the supplies you needed. love your videos, thanks :)

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching Lisa! It's definitely handy when you have extra supplies for projects like this!

@mcjess9843 11 ай бұрын

Thank you! I am no longer overwhelmed with a project I want to do in my backyard.

@2thesunnyside 11 ай бұрын

We're SO glad you found this video helpful! Outdoor projects often seem daunting, but they really don't need to be. THANKS for taking the time to comment, and thanks for watching!

@sabrinadotson1382 8 ай бұрын

This is exactly the project I have been looking for.

@2thesunnyside 8 ай бұрын

We're SO glad you found this video helpful! We'll be releasing more easy outdoor projects next spring.

@veirnon3822 2 ай бұрын

This is exactly what I was looking for. Even addressed the root problem which I didn’t know what to do with. Thanks so much!

@2thesunnyside 2 ай бұрын

We're so glad our video was helpful for you! Thanks so much for watching!

@jefff6167 10 ай бұрын

Your narration is wonderful. 👍🇺🇸

@2thesunnyside 10 ай бұрын

You're so SWEET ❤️ Thank You, we appreciate you watching our video!

@rosablancas9349 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation, and visual of how to create these garden steps. This has to be one of the best videos we've seen on how to do this. I'm a visual person who has to see step by step how to do something I've never done before, so great job on behalf of people like myself. 🙏💚👍

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

Oh my heavens Rosa, you're the sweetest! Thanks for your kind words! We're so glad you found this video helpful and wish you luck on your project! THANKS for watching!

@pathwayconnect9580 Жыл бұрын

This is a great tutorial! I love the 'step-by-step instruction! You make it clear as to what to do and showing as you do it nails it. Thank you! 👍🙂

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

We're so glad. you found this video tutorial helpful! Thanks so much for your support, we appreciate you taking the time to watch our channel ❤️ Let us know if you install stone steps in your yard, and how it goes. Have a great weekend!

@TheLostLibrary 2 жыл бұрын

I found your video helpful and now I finally have a good idea on how to build my sloped path, thanks! 👍

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching, and good luck with your project 🙌🏻

@chuffa1130 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, this is very creative and natural looking, you definitely help me stop over analyze the steps I'm working with in my yard plus you got way more no need to make it complicated

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

We're glad this tutorial was helpful 🙌🏻 It really is a simple concept. Good luck with your project.

@drewfogle Жыл бұрын

Love this video, and I plan on using your tips this summer, so thank you!

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

We're so happy to hear that Drew! Good luck with your project. Be sure to let us know how it turns out.

@nikkishawnreece5395 3 ай бұрын

Geeat🎉🎉 just great👍🏾👌👍🏾

@2thesunnyside 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! We're glad you enjoyed it.

@future7ify Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video! It is exactly what I was looking for! ❤️❤️😍😍

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

We're so glad this video was helpful for you! Sometimes (ourselves included) I think we over complicate things. But this really was a simple way to add steps, and they've held up great! You'll have to let us know if you give this a try in your own yard 🙌🏻 Have a great weekend!

@marigold7117 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This was so helpful! I might have to use ugly cinderblocks but now I understand the method.

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! Even if you have to use cinderblocks it can still be beautiful especially if you plant vegetation around it.

@itsgmani 2 жыл бұрын

Great diy

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! We're glad you liked this video and DIY project!

@StacyForest738 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. I didn't know where to start, I now know to start with bottom step, makes sense.

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

We're so glad you found our video helpful! Good luck on your own project!

@debhickey383 Жыл бұрын

Great job !

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

You're so sweet Deb! Thanks so much! We appreciate your support watching our channel. ❤️

@raffles288 9 ай бұрын

Good tutorial. You make it look easy enough for me to try. Thank you.

@2thesunnyside 9 ай бұрын

We're so glad you enjoyed this video! It really is simple enough anyone can do. You'll have to let us know if you give it a try.

@marianstallings7344 Жыл бұрын

I’m thankful for your video on building step stones. I have a slope that is a little steep and slippery when wet. I’m in my late 60’s and I need to avoid slipping down the slope.

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching our video. We’re glad you found this tutorial helpful. Yes, anything to help make it safer to walk on a slope is a must! Good luck with your project!

@caroltellier7048 2 жыл бұрын

I love this!! It’s more natural looking and something an amateur can do, like me 🙂

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Carol! YES! You're right, anyone can tackle this project.

@Ghost7Echo Жыл бұрын

I found this video very helpful. I had already started making some stairs on my property and wanted to see other ideas. Thank you and well done

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

You're so sweet! Thanks so much for your kind comment and for watching. We're grateful for your support watching our channel.

@Ghost7Echo Жыл бұрын

@@2thesunnyside yes! Thank you for sharing with the KZfaq community. I greatly appreciate your video Sunny Side Design!

@stefanotroncarelli7232 2 жыл бұрын

Idea molto carina complimenti, credo che lo metterò in atto nel mio giardino 👏👏👏

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! We're glad you liked the video and will be using this idea in your own garden.

@antoniobrown3219 2 жыл бұрын

Very Nice! I'm gonna do something like this with Cinder Block but very similar prnciple. Your vid helped alot!

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Antonio, we're glad the video was helpful! Good luck with your project, and be sure to come back for more DIYS 🙌🏻

@marigold7117 2 жыл бұрын

Do you think the holes in the block should be vertical or horizontal? I was thinking if vertical I'd fill with dirt or gravel and possibly anchor with rebar but would the freeze thaw cycle crack them?

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

That's a great question! You may just have to try and see what happens. They're built for outdoor use, maybe they'd be ok? You could always get an opinion from the place you buy them from or the manufacturer, they may be able to provide you with better info.

@AthSamaras 7 ай бұрын

E X E L L E N T ... !!!

@2thesunnyside 7 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@actionanimations4879 10 күн бұрын

Rain and snow overtime will bury both the stones and gravel into the dirt. Would be better to get big flat slabs of stone then use that. Being I give it 2 years tops before the gravel is no longer visible. while the stones will be lopsided and and unevenly stuck into the dirt. If you want to prevent that. You can tarp the pathway first. Throw some sand and gravel on top. Then set the stones on the path. If you want a bit of an Earth feel you can sprinkle dirt on the side so it blends in. Yet tat is way better than just sitting it on the dirt. Only logs/wood will only stay afloat.

@cris_balm7460 2 жыл бұрын

Love this... perfect for our garden. The other videos all were too complicated and not very aesthetic

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

We're so glad you liked this idea! Thanks for watching! You'll have to let us know if you give it a try in your garden.

@cecilelaforce3686 Жыл бұрын

Hi, and thank you for the video on stone steps. Can you please show how to make the mortarless stone walls on your property?

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching our channel. Unfortunately the wall was installed before we started our KZfaq channel so we don't have any video footage. We do have some still photos though. We'd be happy to send some to you via email if that would be helpful.

@gabybravo7110 Жыл бұрын

Super beautiful and looks doable by a non professional like me.

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

THANKS so much for your kind words! It really is pretty simple, you can definitely do this!

@banjo-beard Жыл бұрын

That's a great project and looks good too! Thanks for the comprehensive video. Do you have any concerns over how the soil might move in a heavy rain?

@2thesunnyside 11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. It means a lot to us. And that's a great question! These have now been installed for 2 years, and we experienced the wettest winter on record last year, and have had a lot of rainfall this spring. The soil is holding up just fine. We haven't noticed any shifting or movement of any kind.

@moxee33 2 жыл бұрын

So much better than my steep steps

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks moxee33. They're definitely way easier to walk up than steep steps.

@superdoov Жыл бұрын

Awesome vid 🥳 I've been doing the same thing in a ravjne in our hunting land. Good news? In the 'driftless zone and FILLED with rocks for steps...bad news/good news? The ravinesides are clay! A real bear to hack through. But a fun project. Again - well done on your stairway!

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching our video Mike! Glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like there's a bit of work cut out for you! Clay is the worst! The soil at our first home was pure clay I swear! It's awful to dig through! You'll have to let us know if you come up with any hacks for breaking through clay any easier. Good luck and have fun with your project!

@barbaraburnam1748 2 жыл бұрын

What an ambitious project! However, the hard work was worth it. The steps and landscaping are so pretty; I also noticed some lighting on the steps , that is so important for safety. You ladies will try anything. I am always anxious to see what is next. I also am impressed how dry your area is; Missouri has had more than enough rain ! Take care! 👍🏼

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

I guess you can say that's a weakness my mom and I have...we'll try just about anything to get the look we want if it saves us money 🤣🤣 Many times our husbands just roll their eyes at us and ask "why?" Yes, the lighting is perfect for these steps! YES, we're in the worst drought Utah has seen in 50 years! We definitely NEED rain!

@christapeterson2484 9 ай бұрын

This is what I want to do with the hill next to our parking area.

@2thesunnyside 9 ай бұрын

You'll love it so much! It makes a world of difference in the functionality of the backyard for us!

@meganpeterman335 Жыл бұрын

Do you think something like rubber mulch would work instead of the flagstone chips? I love how this turned out! Thank you so much for the video. I have a slope that I've been mulling over in my head for years on how to do steps on it and really like this idea.

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

We're so glad you found this video helpful Megan! Yes, using rubber mulch should work as well. It may tend to move around a little, which is why we chose the flagstone chips. They're almost cement like once in place. Good luck with your project. You'll have to let us know how it turns out! 🙌🏻

@meganpeterman335 Жыл бұрын

@@2thesunnyside That's good to know about the flagstone chips. I may have to consider those instead. I really do like the look of it. Thanks for the reply back!

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

You bet! You'll have to let us know what you decide to go with and how it turns out.

@roosenlodewijkwiggers4594 Ай бұрын

If you live in an area where there can be massive rain in a short time, this style of stairs will become gullies and wash away. You could already see what the water you sprayed on did, form a small stream down on the inner corner, in no time it will deepen and start eroding the soil underneath the stones. Putting gravel on the soil where the water will go can slow the erosion down.

@2thesunnyside Ай бұрын

Thanks for pointing that out. We do live in a dessert. But when we do get rain it can come down! So far we haven't had any problems with the steps eroding or shifting.

@fairladyzed3157 Жыл бұрын

Can you do I video of that retaining wall on the fire pit area? I have a back yard on a slope that's similar and I'm trying to find some ideas on how to make it level and secure

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

That's a great idea! We'll have to put that on our list of projects! I'm sure there's another spot in my parents yard that could use a little leveling off with a rock wall.

@carresteigerwald3278 10 ай бұрын

I have a very very steep hill that I am going to attempt to do this with. It in an area that hasn't been used much so the hill is extremely overgrown with weeds and such. Really need steps there

@2thesunnyside 10 ай бұрын

Sounds like the perfect area to try this method! Good luck with your project and let us know how it turns out!

@alexanderchuyko4889 2 жыл бұрын

This is a nice idea in case if we build an entrance steps over sewerage/pipeline under ground! These steps can be easily removed and placed back if something happened with plumbing and access is needed. All the rest cases are look like not that nice for using this design. It`s a temporary relief only. Rain water will destroy this in a few years.

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, we're glad you liked this method. Let us know if you give it a try and how it works in your yard.

@madrush24 9 ай бұрын

How do you keep the area where you cut into the hillside (just left of the stairs) from eroding onto the stairs you built? Oh, I see. You built a small retaining wall with smaller stone.

@2thesunnyside 9 ай бұрын

I see you found the answer. We're working on another video in this yard. We'll include some footage walking up these steps to show they're still holding up well.

@Electriophile 2 жыл бұрын

How do you prevent the stones from shifting over time?

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

They’ve stayed in place 4 years so far just with the dirt holding them in place. Haven’t had any issues with movement at all.

@mikepi660 3 ай бұрын

I love the "we" did this and "we" did that,, I hope I can find a "we guy" like Steve ha ha ha

@2thesunnyside 2 ай бұрын

😂 I'd like to find a "we guy" too! Sadly, filming this project was an afterthought so my mom thought to film my dad working and didn't think to set the tripod up to show herself working. The "we" in this video is both my mom and dad. We're always hands on during all the projects we do here on our channel. Occasionally we do get some help from my dad and sometimes my husband. And we're trying to be more conscious of this more in future filming projects. We try to keep it as real as possible, and if we do get some help, we will admit that.

@cheryljones6462 10 ай бұрын

Do you think I would be able to use cinderblocks?

@2thesunnyside 10 ай бұрын

Great question Cheryl! Yes, absolutely!

@lydiahubbell6278 2 жыл бұрын

What about using small logs and wood chips?

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Lydia. Yes, logs and wood chips would work well also

@roxannrodriguez4990 27 күн бұрын

Start at the bottom??

@2thesunnyside 24 күн бұрын

I guess you can start wherever you'd like, but starting at the bottom worked great for us.

@catiesmith9166 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate your effort to provide landscaping ideas. I just wanted to say that the method that you showed is not considered a safe installation and it has several safety issues. If you are a diy then no one is looking over your shoulder. If you are a business there is a legal risk.

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your feedback. We're always trying to improve and better ourselves to provide valuable content for others.

@dhl4102 2 жыл бұрын

Where do you get the stone?

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Great question DH L. They found them on the online classifieds in our area. Not sure where the original owners got them. You could probably call around to your local landscape companies to ask where they source material like that. Or maybe even get lucky finding something similar on the classifieds near you. Hope that helps.

@cris_balm7460 2 жыл бұрын

Can I ask a silly question but… why turn the stone on its side rather than the wider side? 🤔😁

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Cris_balm! Not a silly question at all! The stones were tipped to whatever side made the best step top. Some were more flat than others.

@cris_balm7460 2 жыл бұрын

@@2thesunnyside oh right… thought there was some science to step building I wasn’t aware of. Lol

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

No worries! I wasn't actually helping with this particular project and had to ask my parents if there was a reason 😜 so we both learned on this one!

@lindabowdersshort1580 7 ай бұрын

How long did it take you to build these steps?

@2thesunnyside 7 ай бұрын

Great question! You can do a set in a day. It really goes at a decent pace once you get in your groove and get going.

@Linda-pg3so 10 ай бұрын

👍🏻🇦🇺🤗

@2thesunnyside 10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching!

@MarcCardwell Ай бұрын

about how heavy are those steps?

@2thesunnyside Ай бұрын

Hmm, I'm guess maybe 20lbs

@MarcCardwell Ай бұрын

Not that bad!

@MarcCardwell Ай бұрын

@@2thesunnyside Thanks! Not too bad, at first.

@boopah8189 2 жыл бұрын

I'm confused. The first step was flat and the rest appear to be several inches high. Why did you start with a flat stone?

@2thesunnyside 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Boopa, we're sorry you're confused. The stones we used came in various shapes and sizes. The first stone we used just happened to be more flat and not set in as deep as the others. It may look even more shallow than the others if more dirt was pushed up in front of it as well. Hope that helps.

@arsewell 3 ай бұрын

Tip: play the video at the fastest speed - the woman talking repeats herself constantly and speaks very slowly. Good job to the man who did all the work!

@2thesunnyside 2 ай бұрын

Valid point, you do only see "the man" working here in this video. Filming and making a video was more of an afterthought on this specific project. I admit that I didn't help on this project, but both my parents did all the work. My mom thought to film my dad working, but didn't get the tripod out to film herself.

@oneyaker Жыл бұрын

Thumbs up to the actual guy who did it for you.

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

😂 I know, I know! My Dad did do a lot on this project and my mom filmed him. What you don't see is her working on it with him the rest of the time...she didn't think to use a tripod to film both of them.

@MrZOB89 Жыл бұрын

Lol the compacting tool should have been used to compact the dirt after wetting and before placing slabs not compact the stones together witht he slabs

@2thesunnyside 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips. We're always learning and trying to improve how to do things better.

@thomasalley4944 2 ай бұрын

Placed wrong...should be lenghtwise front to back...

@2thesunnyside 2 ай бұрын

You definitely could install them lengthwise. This is just another method.

@tedhenry4446 3 ай бұрын

I'd like to have seen steel-toed (safety-toe) shoes on your stone layer. From experience, all it takes is one accident and you are out-of-commission for quite awhile.

@2thesunnyside 2 ай бұрын

That's a great point! Thanks for commenting. I'd hate to learn the hard way from experience in that situation. 😬

@hinyhertz6091 2 ай бұрын

Good grief! Just say no and do it right. You shouldn't do this in Syracuse, Utah and one would never be dumb enough to think of doing it this way in Syracuse, NY. Geezum!!

@2thesunnyside Ай бұрын

🤷🏻‍♀️

@AdrenalineJunkie2323 Жыл бұрын

Pretty disappointed. I thought these woman were going to show other woman how to do a project without the strength of needing a man. Ugh... on to search some more. :( I need something I can do!!!

@2thesunnyside Жыл бұрын

I can see where your frustration is coming from. We aren’t out to be misleading or disappoint. We do so many projects that filming is often an afterthought. We did work along side the men, but unfortunately we weren’t in any of the footage. Having said that, this was a simple enough project that women can definitely tackle it themselves.

@TheAcenightcreeper 3 ай бұрын

Wherever theres a woman at the front accepting credit, theres one or men in the back who did all the work, sitting silently

@2thesunnyside 2 ай бұрын

I will openly admit that I didn't help with this particular project. When my mom refers to "we" in the video she's referencing herself and my dad. She did help with a lot of the work on this project...filming and making a video was more of an afterthought. So she quickly filmed my dad working and didn't think to set up a tripod to film herself.

@theresaburkhardt1524 Ай бұрын

You're an a**. They say they are Designers! And you can see they is a woman installing the flag stone chips.

@DOCDOCFLAMINGOS Ай бұрын

Ummmmmmm.... Misogyny Much??!!??

@DOCDOCFLAMINGOS Ай бұрын

@@2thesunnyside... Please don't feel you need to even bother explaining or justifying yourself to a lame comment like that !! It will only ever be a waste of your time!! Thanx for making the video and sharing it with us!!

@knittingbouvier 13 күн бұрын

theacenightcreeper - yeah, zero surprise this loser has this handle.