Garden steps that people actually use safely

Steps are where sloppy work becomes both visible and dangerous. They are also where good work reads as expensive.

Consistent risers

Every riser in a flight should be the same height. The human foot calibrates to the first step; a riser that is 20 mm different three steps up is exactly how people fall.

Generous treads

Outdoor steps take a deeper tread than indoor ones. Shallow treads on a wet stone surface in October are unpleasant at best.

Landings

On a long run, a landing breaks the climb and gives somewhere to stop. It also gives the design somewhere to change direction without a awkward wedge cut.

Water

Treads need a slight fall forward so water sheds rather than sits. A tread that holds water is a sheet of ice for four months of the year.

Lighting

Side-mounted or under-tread lighting on any flight used after dark. It is cheap during the build and awkward afterwards.

Steps and walls