How To Build Steps with Landscape Timbers

Building outdoor steps with landscape timbers can revitalize your yard. While the project requrires some skill and effort, it’s feasible for DIYers with the right tools and techniques. In the video above, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates how to construct new steps with landscape timbers.

Planning Your Landscape Timber Steps

Before you get started, you’ll need to determine the number of steps needed, measure the area accurately, and gather all necessary materials.

Calculating the Number of Steps

Accurately calculating the number of steps ensures safety and usability:

1. Drive a wooden stake into the ground to establish the height of the finished staircase.
2. Use a 4-foot level and long straightedge to mark the height of the walkway at the top of the staircase onto the wooden stake.
3. Measure down from the mark on the stake to the driveway at the bottom of the staircase.
4. Divide this height by 5.5 inches, the standard height of a 6×6 timber.
5. Round to the nearest whole number for the total steps needed.

For instance, if the total rise is 22.5 inches, you calculate that you’ll need four steps (22.5 ÷ 5.5 = 4.09, rounded to 4).

Materials and Tools Needed

To begin, gather the following tools and materials: 

• 6×6 pressure-treated landscape timbers
• 1/2-inch rebar
• 12-inch timber screws
• Drainage gravel
• Wood preservative
• Shovel
• 4-foot level
• Layout square
• Circular saw
• Handsaw
• Drill/driver
• 3-pound sledgehammer
• 3-inch paintbrush

Preparing the Site for Steps

Before getting started, prep the area you’ll be working in. 

Excavating the Area

1. Mark the area designated for your steps.
2. Dig two trenches, each 8-10 inches wide and three feet long, along the staircase edges.
3. Space the trenches at least three feet apart, measuring from the outer edges.

Installing the Sleepers

Sleepers form the foundation of your steps. Follow these steps to install them:

1. Cut two 3-foot-long sleepers from a 6×6 timber using a circular saw. Make initial cuts on all four sides, then finish with a handsaw.
2. Treat the cut ends with a wood preservative.
3. Drill two 1/2-inch diameter holes through each sleeper, about 6 inches from each end.
4. Place the sleepers in the trenches and ensure they are level with the driveway.
5. Pin each sleeper to the ground by using a 3-pound sledgehammer to pound two ½-inch-diameter x 4-foot-long rebars through the holes.

Building the Steps

With the foundation set, start constructing the steps themselves.

Cutting and Placing the Timbers

1. Cut two timbers to length for each step, ensuring they span both sleepers.
2. Place two timbers across the sleepers to form the bottom step.
3. Cut and install two shorter 6×6 sleepers atop and parallel to the lower sleepers.

Securing the Steps

1. Use 12-inch timber screws to fasten the timber steps and shorter sleepers to the long sleepers below.
2. Drive one screw through each end of every timber using a drill.
3. Shovel gravel behind each step to enhance drainage and prevent erosion.

Completing the Staircase

Continue the process for each new step:

1. Cut two timbers and two short sleepers for each step.
2. Secure them with timber screws.
3. Add gravel behind each step.
4. Once the final step is in place, backfill around the staircase with well-compacted soil.

Finishing Touches

To ensure safety and longevity, consider these final steps:

Adding Traction

For safety, especially in wet conditions, apply anti-slip strips to the front of each step. Consider a textured paint or mix sand into paint for a non-slip surface. 

Sealing and Protecting

Extend the lifespan of your timber steps by applying a water-repellent sealer to all exposed wood surfaces. Reapply the sealer annually as the manufacturer recommends. 

Landscaping Around the Steps

To enhance your steps’ appearance:

• Plant low-growing shrubs or flowers along the sides.
• Add solar-powered step lights for safety and ambiance at night.
• Place decorative stones or mulch around the base.

Landscape Timber Step Maintenance Tips

Check the area annually to ensure it remains in top condition. Look for signs of wood rot or insect damage and check for loose screws or shifting timbers. Also, ensure proper drainage around the steps.

To maintain optimal condition, clean the steps regularly using a stiff brush and mild detergent. Replace any damaged timbers promptly, and tighten loose screws and add fasteners if necessary.

Addressing Seasonal Changes

Consider how weather affects your landscape timber steps. During winter, heavy snowfall can put extra weight on the steps, so you should remove accumulated snow promptly. For prolonged wet conditions, ensure that the drainage system is functional to prevent wood deterioration.

Enhancing the Space

Your landscape timber steps can serve multiple purposes beyond just providing access. 

Consider creating built-in benches adjacent to the steps. This may involve adding extra timbers and supports, but it provides a convenient resting spot and can enhance the aesthetic appeal.

Another option is to incorporate planters built with additional timbers alongside your steps. These can be great for growing herbs or flowers, adding vibrant life and color to your staircase area.