Will sandstone flags be suitable for use on a slope?
Discussion
We’re having some works done next week to the front of the house and are currently planning to install a sandstone flag path down the front garden to near the front door. Currently we have a significantly sized set of steps that aren’t pushchair friendly (one 15month old and twins due in 4 weeks…).
This path has to be usable all year round when my wife is on maternity. We were planning on sandstone flags but the builder this morning suggested they might not be grippy enough in the winter. The path is fairly short at about 7-8m, but will be moderately steep, rising about a metre, perhaps slightly more.
The manufacturer (Natural Paving) and supplier say they’re suitable for use on slopes (although I haven’t specified our gradient), but I’m just after some reassurance from those with easily more idea than me that they would be fine. Clearly the last thing we want to do is to install a path we can only use 6-9 months of the year.
Can anyone other any advice from their experience?
I can upload a pic later if that will help.
This path has to be usable all year round when my wife is on maternity. We were planning on sandstone flags but the builder this morning suggested they might not be grippy enough in the winter. The path is fairly short at about 7-8m, but will be moderately steep, rising about a metre, perhaps slightly more.
The manufacturer (Natural Paving) and supplier say they’re suitable for use on slopes (although I haven’t specified our gradient), but I’m just after some reassurance from those with easily more idea than me that they would be fine. Clearly the last thing we want to do is to install a path we can only use 6-9 months of the year.
Can anyone other any advice from their experience?
I can upload a pic later if that will help.
The path will be too steep. Recommended gradient is 1 in 20. By the time you've knocked of a landing area top and bottom your's will be 1 in 6 from what I can make out.
You could go parallel to the road, set back say a metre, for about 4m from the bottom landing, then have a hairpin landing and return 4m then up to the door. That will give about 1 in 12 I think. Tkae some measurements and play about with the numbers.
You could go parallel to the road, set back say a metre, for about 4m from the bottom landing, then have a hairpin landing and return 4m then up to the door. That will give about 1 in 12 I think. Tkae some measurements and play about with the numbers.
TA14 said:
The path will be too steep. Recommended gradient is 1 in 20. By the time you've knocked of a landing area top and bottom your's will be 1 in 6 from what I can make out.
You could go parallel to the road, set back say a metre, for about 4m from the bottom landing, then have a hairpin landing and return 4m then up to the door. That will give about 1 in 12 I think. Tkae some measurements and play about with the numbers.
Too step for what? If it was a new build it would have to comply but as a retro fit? Although it does look steep, and the reality is the OP is seeking to fix a relatively short term problem as in a few years there will be no need for the pushchair as the kids will be able to walk!You could go parallel to the road, set back say a metre, for about 4m from the bottom landing, then have a hairpin landing and return 4m then up to the door. That will give about 1 in 12 I think. Tkae some measurements and play about with the numbers.
I would be inclined to look at leaving the steps in situ placing a temporary path on the grass next to them, maybe using the hexagonal things that sit in the ground and filling them with gravel. Then it can be ripped out easily when no longer required.
Thank you for the advice so far. We're aware it's fairly steep but on a rainy day with one child and shopping going back and forth to the car up the steps quickly wears thin, let alone with three!
Would concrete slabs be any more suitable? I'll take a look at the bar faced tiles, I'm presuming they're something like found by pelican crossings etc (not able to look at the moment).
For what it's worth it is riven sandstone we're looking at, not the beautifully smooth sawn stuff you can get.
I'll get the order in for the funicular...
Would concrete slabs be any more suitable? I'll take a look at the bar faced tiles, I'm presuming they're something like found by pelican crossings etc (not able to look at the moment).
For what it's worth it is riven sandstone we're looking at, not the beautifully smooth sawn stuff you can get.
I'll get the order in for the funicular...
Personally, I'd be tempted to have a go at boarding over the existing steps to create a grippy ramp with some non-slip decking like this:
http://www.gripsure.co.uk/products/gripsure-boardw... Heritage
If you're a competent DIY'er it would be a pretty simple job to make a few timber carriages that the decking can then be screwed to.
If you decked outside the front door with the same gear then you should have enough height to finish off the top step nicely.
In 3 years time, take it up!
http://www.gripsure.co.uk/products/gripsure-boardw... Heritage
If you're a competent DIY'er it would be a pretty simple job to make a few timber carriages that the decking can then be screwed to.
If you decked outside the front door with the same gear then you should have enough height to finish off the top step nicely.
In 3 years time, take it up!
I'm just in the process of having some smooth sawn sandstone steps fitted, replacing some old s
tty flagstones. 11 in all I think.
They are deceptively grippy.
These are the ones:
http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-steps/bullnose-...
Will put pics up when all the other landscaping work is finished.
tty flagstones. 11 in all I think.They are deceptively grippy.
These are the ones:
http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-steps/bullnose-...
Will put pics up when all the other landscaping work is finished.
Rosscow said:
Personally, I'd be tempted to have a go at boarding over the existing steps to create a grippy ramp with some non-slip decking like this:
http://www.gripsure.co.uk/products/gripsure-boardw... Heritage
If you're a competent DIY'er it would be a pretty simple job to make a few timber carriages that the decking can then be screwed to.
If you decked outside the front door with the same gear then you should have enough height to finish off the top step nicely.
In 3 years time, take it up!
I have to say, I'd be tempted by either this, or nothing at all. The amount of time, relatively speaking, that you will have buggies etc. is really very small and I wouldn't be spending too much money on something which is ultimately going to be less practical than what you have now.http://www.gripsure.co.uk/products/gripsure-boardw... Heritage
If you're a competent DIY'er it would be a pretty simple job to make a few timber carriages that the decking can then be screwed to.
If you decked outside the front door with the same gear then you should have enough height to finish off the top step nicely.
In 3 years time, take it up!
I also think you'll be surprised at how much effort it will be to get a double buggy up a slope that steep with no possibility of resting halfway up, which is the big advantage of steps. And, finally, you have to consider the risk of said buggy rolling down the slope - it may seem a bit nanny-state, but what is the first thing that an out-of-control pushchair will hit? A wall? The road? Something to think about, anyway.
Asked Jeremy... He punched me in the face. Odd chap.
I did rough calculations this morning and the gradient is just under 6.5 to 1. We can improve on that a little, but not materially.
We're happy to put in whatever works best. There can be a couple of shallow steps to help, but I wonder if a simple slope, even if steep would be easier. Our road is narrow and permit parking only, so removing the steps creates another parking space for us. I completely understand the points about safety etc though, it's definitely more than crossed my mind.
The steps present now aren't actually very practical, they're shallow and long (600mm by a 150mm drop), but still too much to constantly bump a pushchair down. Plus the look of them....
I'll speak to a couple of specialists at lunch and see what they advise
I did rough calculations this morning and the gradient is just under 6.5 to 1. We can improve on that a little, but not materially.
We're happy to put in whatever works best. There can be a couple of shallow steps to help, but I wonder if a simple slope, even if steep would be easier. Our road is narrow and permit parking only, so removing the steps creates another parking space for us. I completely understand the points about safety etc though, it's definitely more than crossed my mind.
The steps present now aren't actually very practical, they're shallow and long (600mm by a 150mm drop), but still too much to constantly bump a pushchair down. Plus the look of them....
I'll speak to a couple of specialists at lunch and see what they advise
Miocene said:
I did rough calculations this morning and the gradient is just under 6.5 to 1. We can improve on that a little, but not materially.
Unless you did what I suggested above: more gentle slope, using land that would not be used otherwise, great for scooters in future years and easy to convert back to steps in the future if so desired.Hang on is the plan to run the new slope in a different route to the existing steps, and convert the existing step to drive? If so you'll be over the 5 sq m rule won't you? In which case you'll need permission for the works and won't have to comply with the relevant standards, including amount of slope?
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