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Landscape Design

Need advice re stone stair treads

15 years ago

At my house in New Hampshire, I have a set of concrete steps that are currently topped with bluestone. The grout has all given way and the bluestone needs to be replaced. The steps are flanked by rustic stone walls, and I would like to replace the bluestone with something that matches better. What other stone product can I use that will require as few seams as possible?

Also, it's a little off topic, but as long as I'm replacing the bluestone I'd like to replace the wrought iron railing, too. Any suggestions as to what would look good?

Below is a link to a picture. Thanks for any advice!

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (6)

tetrazzini
15 years ago
sorry, i don't know. but whatever you choose, make sure it's smooth. judging by my experience with a fieldstone hearth, i'd say it would be difficult sweeping or shovelling snow on an uneven stone surface.
laag
15 years ago
You can get 1" thick granite slabs. I think it is best to keep the treads as one piece of stone rater than several with mortar joints for safety reasons.
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ginny12
15 years ago
Definitely our native granite--same material as your stone walls. And definitely one piece per tread. Check out Swenson's Granite--I think in Amherst NH but any good stoneyard should have lots of it, especially in the Granite State!!
LisaH
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the advice! I had just pretty much decided on Swenson's Granite, Ginny. They have a 2-inch thick tread that should do the trick. My husband wonders about durability, though. I know solid granite steps will last forever--will the stone treads stay in place for us, and not break?
madtripper
15 years ago
Don't make it toooo smooth. It gets slipery when wet, especially in winter.
red_geranium
15 years ago
Just a thought......can you reuse the broken treads as risers? The installer should be able to cut them to right size and adapt the width of the tread (adjust so tread is deeper) to accomodate.

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