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Constructing Garden Steps by: Hege Crowton
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| Monday, December 29, 2008 |
Steps like a perfect opportunity to beautify the outside than any other item on the agenda of your landscaping. The materials that can be used vary from a round ball cut concrete, brick or stone.
Not the standard dimensions for the outside must be the same as for the interior of the measures, particularly in areas frequently used. The tread should be 10 inches deep and risers of 7 1 / 2 inches.
Treads should be 1 / 4 inch lower in front than in the rear to allow drainage. For anything other than a series of logs, a good basis is essential. The foundation should extend 6 inches below the frost line.
Concrete is a material often used for measurements, even if it is not always the most attractive. A simple form can be constructed from a series of boxes, lx 6 - or 8-inch lx scrap lumber, each box is the same width of 10 inches, but shorter than the box every step.
The boxes are placed on top of one another and held together by spikes outside lathing. The corners must be stopped. Use 1 part Portland cement to 3 parts 6 parts of sand and gravel. The cement is poured and the tops are not made using the flat edge of a board.
If you are using pre-cast concrete blocks, the need for forms of construction of the stage is eliminated. The cost is about the same as the construction of concrete measures, although employment, especially for a one-man operation is easier.
It is important to stick the blocks together and you can get a good appearance, with a thin layer of concrete aggregate.
Brick is not built in the same manner as concrete blocks, although more masonry skill is required. A layer of gravel is first placed on the basement as a foundation. The weak measures of bricks, many joints are necessary.
In the construction of stone steps, the main challenge is to find the stone. Although this is not a problem at all in some areas, in other areas, the stone must be purchased, and when this is true, stone steps are by far the most expensive type to build. They are also among the most attractive.
Stone steps can be constructed of masonry, without bail, if enough stones can be found. The principles of construction of dry stone walls which is applicable. If steps are independent, mortar should be used. The foundation must be established for measures of bricks.
The concrete used to make beds for the stones must be placed carefully to maintain a good structure. Grading must be done with precision (the chain is recommended).
It is best to remove the spilled mortar stones while still wet, because when it is dry, it presents a problem. Dry mortar, however, may be removed with hydrochloric acid.
Cup of roundwood from large logs make a beautiful and easy to package. The tour is set down in the earth, and next to cover partially, leaving a riser. The floor is completed as part of graduate and packed firmly, and this procedure is followed to the desired height.
Action of wood can be used for long slopes where there is no need for real action, but it is too steep for a path. Ramp steps can be made with large stone risers flags, logs or squared timber.
The paths that lead to action should have the same width as the steps. The ramps should not increase too rapidly, the largest increase of 3 / 4 inch per foot.
About the author:
Hege Crowton is a specialist writer.
She is known for doing research before writing his articles.
Many of his articles are published on www.ezinecrow.com
and has also done a lot of writing for www.CrowSites.com
Copyright 2005 www.GardeningCrow.com |
posted by neptunus @ 2:32 AM
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