topic Re: The stairs project! in Garden

The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 15:06:54 GMT

@JustJazzmom@mousiegirl@ Lulu@Kachina624@PINKdogWOOD,...here we go with the stairs.

I tried to to call out to my regulars here but couldn't get a match so sorry to those I missed...couldn't get tedEbear, jklz and more.

Started this morning. First step smaller to stay away from tree roots. Will camouflage as part of the finishing touches. These will get done today...

The operator is good. I don't think I will have plant damage. With th birch it is a wait and see as they are so fussy.

More later,

Re: The stairs project!

JustJazzmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 15:11:42 GMT

That is one big job!

Re: The stairs project!

Kachina624 — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 15:21:40 GMT

Thank goodness for machinery that can handle that load. I'll bet you'll be elated when the steps are finished and you can start planting around them.

Re: The stairs project!

PINKdogWOOD — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 17:17:48 GMT

@Lilysmom Nice job your crew is doing. Jobs like this can be monumental and it's only as good/great as the men doing the work. Too bad we don't live near you, my husband & his guys could do such a job for you!

This will be great once it's completed.

Re: The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:29:02 GMT

Job done. Twelve steps. Five, landing and then seven. The riser is 6" so they are easy. Five feet wide, 16 inch tread.

The cleanup will begin soon. We are very fortunate to have had dry weather before this job.

@PINKdogWOOD, how lucky are you that your DH can do jobs like this! LM

Re: The stairs project!

JustJazzmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:34:37 GMT

I'm amazed! No railings either!

Re: The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:40:56 GMT

@JustJazzmom, et al, what do you think about railings? I am not inclined to do them but would appreciate your thoughts. The steps are very wide, great depth and small riser. LM

Re: The stairs project!

JustJazzmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:48:44 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
@JustJazzmom, et al, what do you think about railings? I am not inclined to do them but would appreciate your thoughts. The steps are very wide, great depth and small riser. LM

I would say at least railings on one side of the stairs. We all get older unfortunately. I have PVC railings over my paver bricks in the steps and stoop areas. They match my khaki picket fences even though not made by the same company. They are low maintenance, no need to paint like wrought iron and some Spic & Span or Fantastic in a pail with water and a washcloth is all you need.

I'm not a fan of white PVC -- too stark in nature.

ETA: these are mine-- the standard with square balusters.

http://fairwaybp.com/fairway-railing/fairway-standard-vinyl-railing/

Re: The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:49:44 GMT

@JustJazzmom, thank you. I will check this out. Definitely low maintenance is the way to go. LM

PS do you have a photo?

Re: The stairs project!

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:26:32 GMT

@Lilysmom...I love your new steps!. We have a lot of stone (not the size of our steps!) in our back yard love it!!

Re: The stairs project!

JustJazzmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:28:47 GMT

I do but it's on my desktop. DH is Skyping with his sister right now so I can't get access.

Will post later.

Re: The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:37:09 GMT

@Mom2Dogs, DH was not sorry to give up mowing that bank! LM

Re: The stairs project!

JustJazzmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 22:20:16 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
@JustJazzmom, thank you. I will check this out. Definitely low maintenance is the way to go. LM

PS do you have a photo?

@LilysmomHere are some photos taken right before the skies opened up with an inch and a half of rain.

Front Stoop with khaki railings:

Railings leading to driveway:

Railings leading to public sidewalk:

Front Porch:

Re: The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 22:30:47 GMT

@JustJazzmom, just beautiful. I love the clean look. Thanks for posting. LM

Re: The stairs project!

Kachina624 — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 02:36:55 GMT

@Lilysmom @JustJazzmom I like the khaki a lot better than stark white. We have a lot of brown here; brown dirt, gravel, Adobe or stucco. To plop a white fence that looks like colonial Williamsburg in the middle of it looks out of place.

I second the need for a rail. I don't do steps without anymore.

Re: The stairs project!

JustJazzmom — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 02:46:20 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Lilysmom @JustJazzmom I like the khaki a lot better than stark white. We have a lot of brown here; brown dirt, gravel, Adobe or stucco. To plop a white fence that looks like colonial Williamsburg in the middle of it looks out of place.

I second the need for a rail. I don't do steps without anymore.

Yes, white looks too sterile IMO against the grass and the pavers we used. The khaki softens the look. But on the downside, it costs more than the standard colors that are available like white or black.

Re: The stairs project!

violann — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:57:36 GMT

What great ways to simplify non-flat space! Congrats!!!

Re: The stairs project!

lulu2 — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 19:27:43 GMT

@Lilysmom

Of course it's lovely, it's at your beautiful hide-a-way.

As for railings, our home owner's insurance requires a railing for 2+ steps. There was not a grandfather clause so for years we did not have railings. After Sandy destroyed our ground floor, the rebuild required railings. I'm finally getting used to seeing them. (but still preferred without)

Re: The stairs project!

DiAnne — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 18:51:51 GMT

@Lilysmom

Love your steps. Can't wait to see your pics after it is planted.

Re: The stairs project!

Lilysmom — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 20:34:11 GMT

@lulu2, thanks for the comments. I am mulling options over in my brain. I want to think about this before I finally decide. The good thing is that the stairs are five feet wide and have a wide tread. One of the workers wore size thirteen shoes and he had room to spare. The stairs weigh 500 lbs each so they aren't going anywhere. My off the cuff response would be no railings. I do realize that this can become an issue as we age and we certainly have friends and family to consider as well.

Whatever we decide to put up, it will be no/low maintenance. That is one thing I insist on. We have enough work in the gardens without adding more! LM