Welcome to our gallery of fabulous stone steps!
If your yard is on an incline you may have to manage multiple levels. An age old solution to multiple levels is the stair. Stairs are classic, easy, and rife with design opportunity.
You can build stairs out of so many different materials. One of the most versatile and timeless materials that you can use to build stairs is stone.
Stone can transform simple steps into a wide range of different styles. Stone can be both rustic and raw. Rustic and natural stone looks amazing surrounded by wild plants and when paired with creeping moss.
Stone that is well cut and organized can have a regal and royal look. These kinds of stone steps are perfect with vines and/or well kept mason vines. When using stone steps in this manner your design can harken back to the styles of old England and its castle stonework.
Stones can also have a simple clean, sleek look that is minimalist and unfussy. Stone is so versatile, it can range from rugged and natural all the way to finely cut and polished. There are stone steps that can accompany almost any style choice.
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Pros
- Long lasting – No matter which style or stone you choose to construct your steps, you are guaranteed to have a durable and long lasting set of stairs. Any stone that is suitable to build with will be able to withstand the traffic that will surely go through this space.
- Versatile look – Stone steps can accomplish a number of looks and styles. Each one of these styles has its own appeal. Nearly every space can accompany a set of stone steps.
Cons
- Heat – Stones in direct sunlight may absorb and reflect a great deal of heat. This make the stone warm or hot to the touch. It may also heat the area around it with ambient heat. While this may be nice on a cool night after a hot day, during the daylight hours it may make an area uncomfortably warm. Some stones are better at keeping cool, but all stones retain some heat.
Cost of stone can vary depending on quality of stone as well as the cut. For inexpensive stone you can expect to spend around $300 per ton. Stones on this end of the spectrum include stones like the Arizona flagstone. This stone is sturdy and manages heat well, but is porous and can absorb water. This can be an issue in rainy and winter seasons.
If you are going for a more expensive stone, you can expect to spend closer to $1,000 per ton. The higher end stones include Three Rivers flagstone.
This kind of stone holds up well under all weather conditions and is more hearty in general. However, this can be an issue as this type of stone is more difficult to cut and shape into desired shapes. (Source: Improve Net)
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Photos
These stone steps have a castle-like appeal. The walls nearby are covered in vines which adds to the regal and historic appeal. You will feel like royalty traversing these regal steps.
These stones steps are more rugged and naturalistic. They are surrounded by bushes which blends them into the surrounding nature. The uneven and rough surface of these steps really adds to the appeal.
Here is another example of rugged steps. These steps are surrounded by other uncut rocks, making it appear as if these steps were carved out of a trail of boulders. This is a fun and rustic look that brings character to your yard.
Here is a small set of stone steps. Rather than being constructed out of individual stones, these steps are carved from very large stones. The stones are partially covered by moss which gives them a good patina and blends them with the landscape.
These stone steps have both finely carved elements and rustic rough cut portions. This blends the two kinds of stone into an interesting design. The fine cut stone provides a good foothold that will help reduce tripping, while the rough cut stone brings character.
These steps are composed of many smaller stones crafted and put together. This collective look has a very natural appeal that brings both asymmetry and an organized form of nature to the set.
The massive stones here are carved to give way to these lovely stone steps. When there are stones this large lining your stairs you have automatic carved rails. These steps are guaranteed to be sturdy and long lasting.
These rugged cut stone steps have a very rustic and natural appeal. They are so roughly cut that they almost look as though the stone could have naturally formed like that.
This interesting set of stairs combines well carved, cleanly designed steps with rugged and rustic walls made from stacked stones covered in moss. Even though these two designs are different characteristically, they combine well.
These stone steps use rough cut stones buried in dirt as stepping stones. There are choices that can be had for a setup like this. If you keep up on pulling weeds and maintenance you can have a clean look, but you may also choose to let the plants grow for a wild and natural appeal.
This set of stone steps is very simple. Some simple slabs of stones laid along a hill makes for fantastic rustic and natural looking steps.
This style of stone steps is timeless and classic. These types of steps have been stylish throughout history and will last for many years to come. With fine craftsmanship you can be proud of your stone steps for a long time.
Here are some stone steps placed amongst a wild plant and rock garden. Rock and plant gardens can be a wonderful way to line your stone steps. The rocks seamlessly transition your landscape into steps.
One of the best combinations you can have for real natural looking stone steps is rough cut asymmetric stone and wild growth. These stone steps are coated in moss and plants giving it a wonderful natural appeal.
With well constructed masoned walls accompanying your stone steps you can build a very classy landscape. Great complimenting gardens to your stairway can be a thing to behold.
Stone steps can be quite modern as well. These stone steps have step lighting to make them safe at night. The clean design of these stairs is perfect for a modern and organized space.
If you have a well assembled stone staircase that harkens back to ancient Grecian construction you can let weeds and moss grow to create an aged look that has character and history.
Brick and stone work well together. Stone top steps on brick bases is a great look that is timeless and classic. This style fits with nearly any design choice.
Creeping vines and flowers are the best kinds of plants to build a wild look into your stone steps.
With the right types of stones, time will give your steps a great patina. These stones are beautifully aged. It gives this space quite a lot of character.
Stone steps look natural with stone patios. You can use accent stones to introduce and blend in an untamed and natural look.
See more of this home here. Designed by Andrea Schumacher Interiors
For simple and uncomplicated stone steps you may choose an iron railing. Iron railing is a fantastic, simple, and elegant accompaniment to stone steps.
Wooden railing also works great alongside stone steps. Raw and natural wood works particularly well with rougher cut and raw stone.
Here is a beautiful high end patio with sleek and finely carved stone steps. These stone steps are fantastic and will last for quite some time.
See more of this home here. Designed by ACM Design Architects
When you mix stones you can build an interesting and complex color profile in your stone steps. This is great for pairing with flower and rock gardens.
If you have a gorgeous stone work home like this one, your stone steps will match your home perfectly. Shrubs and bushes are fantastic partners for stone walls and steps.
Because stones can be shaped, there are few limits to what your stone steps can look like. These stones are curved to make a nice circular design.
Here are some fantastic stone steps with tall stone walls. These kinds of walls give your steps an extra bit of class.
Stone steps can lead to anything. They can connect gardens to patios or nice outdoor eating spots to the rest of the yard.
These stone steps combine well cut stone with rough textured stone. The stone steps lead through lovely flower bushes and a lush cropping of trees, creating a fantastic place to take a walk.
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