Concrete stairs are strong, last a long time, and don’t need much upkeep. They are great for outside use. If you’re thinking about getting concrete stairs, think about how much you want to spend, how you want them to look, and the weather where you live. Concrete stairs do have some downsides, like cost and possible cracks. Let’s look at the good and bad sides to help you decide.
Pros Of Concrete Outdoor Stairs
Concrete is very strong and tough. It can handle bad weather like rain, snow, and hot sun without breaking or rotting. Stairs made of it are very sturdy and can handle heavy weights, making them suitable for areas with lots of foot traffic. This makes it great for outside.
Once they are put in right, concrete stairs don’t need much care. You just need to clean and seal them sometimes to keep them looking nice. They don’t get damaged by bugs like termites, which can hurt wooden stairs.
You can shape concrete into different forms and sizes to fit your design ideas. You can pick from different finishes and colors to match your home. Concrete also looks great in modern and simple outdoor spaces.
With good care, concrete stairs can last for many years, often longer than wood or metal stairs. This long life can make them a good investment.
Concrete does not catch fire, which is important for outdoor stairs that might be near wildfires or open flames.
A terraced garden with concrete garden beds and stairs is a modern solution for a small backyard, thanks to the various levels it can provide much more space.
A light-colored concrete staircase stands out in the backdrop of black mulch and some greenery around it will grow and cover this space with time.
A pre-cast concrete staircase is always a nice and budget-friendly idea, lining it up with rocks, gravel and greenery it helps to incorporate it into the landscape.
A sturdy concrete staircase with an edgy look softened with grasses, blooms and lit up with small outdoor lamps.
Tall black garden planters with shrubs, a recast concrete staircase and a green lawn create a contemporary and clean look in the garden.
Brushed precast concrete steps add interest and texture to the side yard, and a green lawn softens its look.
A side yard with light-colored concrete steps and ornamental grasses along them compose a modern scenery.
Floating concrete steps buried into green lawn, trees, bamboo create a super modern and edgy look with plenty of style.
You can always soften the look of your concrete steps with some groundcovers or shrubs like that in between.
Concrete stairs, concrete raised garden beds with lights, shrubs and greenery add curb appeal to the house and make the yard look stylish.
A concrete staircase is refreshed with a whole succulent garden growing between the steps and along them.
A refined modern floating concrete staircase paired with glass banister, with lights and white pebbles to form a chic and beautiful yard.
A desert space done with creatively arranged concrete steps with lights, lots of succulents, rocks and some trees.
A modern tropical garden with a concrete staircase that is perfect for such climate conditions, greenery and tall bamboo.
Concrete steps don't bring much texture but you may add wood, grass and various rocks and plants to them them look cooler.
Concrete stairs accented with bright mini succulents between the steps, with ornamental grasses long them.
Concrete stairs with built-in planters are surrounded by lush greenery, including various types of plants and shrubs.
A modern terrace yard with black metal garden beds and grasses finished off with precast concrete stairs, with lights, a metal railing and pebbles along them.
Concrete stairs with a built-in bench can match a modern or minimalist space, and red brick edging will add color and interest to the design.
Concrete steps sinking in lush greenery look stylish and modern and perfectly match the exterior of the house.
Cons Of Concrete Outdoor Stairs
Concrete stairs can cost more to put in compared to some other materials like wood. The price can change based on the design and where you live. However, you can find online guides to help you build them yourself for less money.
Even though concrete is strong, it can crack over time because of ground movement, freezing and thawing, or settling. Using good building methods and reinforcements can help reduce this problem.
Concrete stairs can be slippery when wet, which can be dangerous. To fix this, you can add non-slip materials or use textured finishes.
Building such stairs can take longer than using some other materials. It usually involves setting up molds, waiting for the concrete to dry, and finishing the surface, which can make the project take more time.
Concrete can feel very cold in winter, which might be uncomfortable if you want walk on the stairs barefoot.
Once installed, concrete stairs can’t be changed. If you decide to remodel your outdoor space later, it can be difficult and expensive to alter or remove the concrete stairs.
A minimalist backyard featuring concrete steps and edging, rocks and dark mulch, greenery along the steps is clean and chic.
Floating concrete steps accented with green shrubs along them are a cool idea for a contemporary or minimalist outdoor space.
A terraced garden of concrete, with raised flower beds and steps, with shrubs and greenery of various kinds.
A lush modern landscape with lots of greenery and shrubs and a light-colored concrete and gravel staircase that stands out.
A green thicket, a precast concrete staircase and a green lawn are a great combo for a modern and sophisticated garden.
A concrete terraced garden with raised flower beds, lights, steps and lots of various greenery, blooms and shrubs.
A bright garden with lots of greenery and colorful flowers, a precast concrete staircase, metal railing and a candle lantern looks magical.
A minimalist concrete terraced garden with raised flower beds, steps, metal railing and some greenery and bright foliage.
A simple and durable concrete staircase with built-in lights and metal railing will always be a nice solution for most outdoor spaces.
These creatively arranged concrete steps add interest and geometry to the garden, and small green grass will grow out to create a landscape around them.
Curved concrete stairs accented with rocks and greenery are amazing for a modern garden, and this curve adds interest here.
This concrete staircase is DIY and it's made using just one mold, this is a very budget-friendly idea.
A modern floating concrete staircase lined up with bold blooms and grasses and some trees is a nice idea for a front or backyard.
Floating concrete stairs with greenery and blooms along them are a perfect match for a contemporary facade of the house.
Floating concrete steps will built-in lights will add style and make walking comfortable and safe at any time.
A gravel path lined up with ornamental grasses and finishing in a concrete staircase with a planter on top for a modern garden.
Light-colored concrete stands out in the backdrop of the black house facade and matches the white wall.
A simple poured concrete staircase is accented with white edging and succulents in the garden beds along the stairs.
Poured-in-place concrete steps are a budget-friendly idea, here they are lined up with grasses and greenery.
Precast concrete stairs with metal railings and with lush greenery, shrubs and rocks along them to make them a chic and stylish part of the landscape.
A sleek concrete staircase wth shrubs and lamps along it is a cool solution for a contemporary or minimalist space.
DIY Outdoor Concrete Staircase
Building your own concrete staircase is possible. Make sure to work in favorable weather to prevent cracks. Here’s a short guide to help you get started:
Planning and Preparation
Sketch your staircase and determine the dimensions. Gather concrete mix, rebar, wooden forms, a shovel, and safety gear.
Building Steps
- Dig out the area and set up wooden forms to shape the stairs.
- Place rebar within the forms for added strength.
- Prepare the concrete mix and pour it into the forms.
- Smooth the surface with a trowel.
Finishing
- Cover the concrete to keep it moist and let it cure for at least 24 hours.
- Carefully take off the forms after curing.
- Apply a sealer and non-slip additives for safety.