- Details
- Written by: Garry Reisky
- Category: Hardscape & Landscape
The purpose of steps is to allow people to pass from one elevation to another, with as little difficulty or inconvenience as possible. Steps need to be constructed properly, the rise and the run has to be within a certain a certain range or they just won't feel comfortable. The materials should feel solid and not feel hollow or wobbly. There are many factors that are considered when we design and set of steps and what materials will be used for their construction.
Retaining wall block
This method for step construction can work extremely well. They look great and integrate extremely well within a hardscaping project. These type of steps are susceptible to settlement if installation is not meticulous when it comes to the base and thorough compaction. With 20 years of building these type of steps we've learned a thing or two on how to avoid future settlement. The first is to fill the middle of the steps with an open graded aggregate. This makes it much easier to achieve 98% Standard Proctor Density. The second item that we add in is generous amounts of geosynthetics, namely geogrid. Geogrid helps lock all the base together in such a way that the steps move monolithic-ally and not independently.
Retaining wall block can be used for the base row of the steps and a different coping can be used for the step part. Bullnose copings or pitched (rockfaced) coping can replace the standard retaining wall coping. For a bullnose coping Brussels fullnose is the product of choice and a very nice pitched coping, that's Ledgestone. One last coping option is natural stone. With this amount of choices for materials and design possibilities using retaining wall block for step construction will always be a popular option
Slabs - Natural stone steps
Large slabs of stone, 6" thick and 6' wide, monolithic step construction at it's best. With the potential for settlement some clients prefer , slab steps. These steps can range from 3' - 10 wide, and from 5" - 8" in height, and 12" - 16" in depth. Depending on where the steps were quarried they could be sandstone, limestone or granite. Our favorite steps to install are Brown Wave sandstone, Silver Valley Grey limestone and Jet Black granite. There are many other varieties available. Watch the video below as I tour the stone yard.
Slabs - Concrete
Similar to their natural stone cousins they come in large slab formats. Generally speaking the concrete varieties will be 4' wide, 6" thick and 12" in depth.
Examples of steps
- Details
- Written by: Garry Reisky
- Category: Hardscape & Landscape
Materials Specified on this project:
Patio: Unilock richcliff, smoke shale. Copthorne 3 colour mix.
Retaining Wall: Oaks modan, marble grey.
Design plays a pivotal role in any successful hardscape or landscaping project. I don't know how many appointments I've shown up to and walked away with the client's drawing. I can be hand drawn or sometimes computer drawn, the point is that the client has been thinking about their project and what they want. This is a great place to start because it makes the design process a lot easier.
Our process begins at this point, a 3d rendering will be produced and sent off for approval. Our current process uses computer generated images. An immersive environment certainly makes landscape come alive, Water, fire and lighting effects can be added. Below are some examples of previous renderings.
- Details
- Written by: Garry Reisky
- Category: Hardscape & Landscape
Flagstone, (flag) is a generic flat stone, usually used for paving slabs or walkways, patios, fences and roofing. It may be used for memorials, headstones, facades and other constructions. The name derives from Middle English flagge meaning turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga meaning slab.
There are two categories of flagstone. There is Square cut flagstone or Random flagstone. Within the two categories there is a wide variety of colours, finishes, sizes and textures. Many stone suppliers carry over 40 styles, just in square cut alone. That's alot of choices.
Stones can be imported from China, India, Brazil, United States and don't forget we have alot of good stone right here, locally from Ontario. Sizes can vary from stone to stone but generally speaking, the imported stones are available in 12"x24", 24"x24", 24"x36". Ontario limestone come in a real nice assortment of mixed sizes. Sandstone, Limestone, Slate and Granite, it's all available.
Here are some flagstone projects that we have completed.
- Details
- Written by: Garry Reisky
- Category: Hardscape & Landscape
Repairs and Maintenance
Do you have an existing interlocking paving patio driveway or walkway that has settled? What about your retaining walls? Are they falling over do your old paving stone driveway have ruts from years of vehicular traffic? Don’t replace your old and settled interlocking stone, with Terraform Contracting repairs and maintenance program we can make your old pavers look brand new again! By lifting the effected areas and repairing the base we will bring your driveway, patio or walkway back to life with a fraction of the cost to replace it. From 10 sq ft repairs to a complete driveway pickup and relay, we can repair a wobbly walkway or leaning retaining wall.
Repairs can be challenging. Specific patterns with circles and fans. No extras from a discontinued product. What about replacing stones and colour matching? Why trust your repair to a "handyman". As one of the few hardscape contractors that enjoys doing repairs.
I'm told every year when I sign up on the Unilock Authorized Contractor program. Very few if any of the other contractors want to do repairs. Why? I find repairs to be very educational. It really shows what techniques and materials work over time.
