Where concrete steps are needed
Front entries. Raised period homes in Brighton, Elsternwick and Caulfield South often sit well above the garden, with steps up to a verandah or porch. Original steps may be brick, bluestone or concrete that has cracked or settled. Replacements must respect the house while meeting today's expectations for safety.
Back doors and decks. Many renovated homes have a new living area with doors that open a step or two above the garden or patio. Wide, shallow concrete steps can double as seating.
Garden level changes. Bayside is mostly gentle, but parts of Black Rock, Beaumaris and Sandringham have sloping blocks near the coast. Garden stairs connect terraces and retaining walls.
Side paths and driveways. Where a side path drops to a lower backyard, or a driveway meets a front door at a different level, a few steps and a landing make the transition safe.
Getting the geometry right
Comfortable, safe steps have consistent risers (the height of each step) and goings (the depth of each tread). In Australia, the National Construction Code sets limits for stair geometry, including riser and going ranges and the relationship between them, and requires handrails and balustrades in certain situations. As a general guide, NCC housing provisions limit risers to between 115 mm and 190 mm and goings to between 240 mm and 355 mm, but requirements depend on the situation, so check with a building surveyor for stairs that form part of a building or need a permit. Above all, every riser in a flight should be the same height: even a small difference is what makes people trip.
Landings, handrails and balustrades
- Landings give a resting point and a safe place to open a door. A landing at the top of entry steps should be deep enough to stand on while the door swings.
- Handrails make steps safer for children, older visitors and anyone carrying shopping. Footings or fixing points are easiest to plan before the pour.
- Balustrades may be required where there is a drop beside the steps or landing. Again, a building surveyor can confirm what applies.
Finishes and grip
- Broom finish: simple and grippy; ideal for plain steps.
- Exposed aggregate: matches aggregate paths and driveways and offers excellent grip.
- Contrasting nosings: a different colour or texture on the front edge of each tread helps people see the step, which is useful for visitors with poor eyesight and at night.
- Honed or smooth finishes: look sleek but need anti-slip treatment outdoors.
- Tiled or stone-clad steps: concrete can be formed as a structural base for a tiler or stonemason to finish.
Building steps that last
Footings
Steps need a solid footing so they do not settle away from the house. Where they meet the house, an isolation joint lets them move independently.
Formwork
Each riser is formed precisely. Small errors in formwork become permanent trip hazards.
Reinforcement
Steel ties the flight together and, where specified, into footings or the landing.
Pour and finish
Steps are often poured in stages, with edges and nosings finished carefully.
Curing
Formwork stays in place long enough for edges to harden, then the steps are cleaned and sealed if required.
Steps near the coast and in shade
Steps take more foot traffic than almost any other concrete surface, and their edges are the first place damage shows. Near the bay, salt air can attack thin edges on unsealed steps, so a good finish, adequate cover over steel and a sealer help. Steps on the south side of a house or under trees stay damp and can grow moss and algae, which turns any finish slippery. In those spots, choose a textured finish, keep gutters and downpipes from spilling onto the treads, and clean regularly. Lighting is worth considering too: a step light or a path light at the top and bottom of a flight makes a big difference to safety at night.
Ramps as an alternative
For a small level change, a gentle ramp can be more practical than steps, especially for bins, bikes, prams and visitors with limited mobility. Ramps need more length than steps to climb the same height, so space decides whether they work. Some homes combine a few wide steps with a ramp alongside.
Replacing old steps
Original front steps on Bayside period homes are often bluestone, brick or early concrete. Some are worth restoring rather than replacing, particularly where they contribute to a heritage streetscape. Where concrete steps have cracked, separated from the house or developed uneven risers, replacement is often the safest option. The old steps are broken out carefully to protect the verandah, tiles and walls, and the new flight is set to the existing door and path levels.
What affects a steps quote
- number of steps, width and any landings
- the levels and whether retaining is needed alongside
- removal of existing steps
- footings and reinforcement
- finish, nosings and sealing
- handrail or balustrade fixing provisions
- access to the area for concrete
There are no prices on this site. A free site look gives you a written quote.
Steps around Bayside
Entry steps are a common job on period homes in Caulfield South and Elsternwick, while garden stairs and terraces feature on sloping blocks in Black Rock and Beaumaris. Steps often go hand in hand with retaining walls, paths and patios.
Concrete steps FAQs
Risers must be consistent and within the limits set by the National Construction Code. A building surveyor can confirm what applies where steps form part of a building.
It depends on the number of steps, the drop and how they are used. Handrails are a good idea for safety even where not strictly required.
They can meet the house but should be separated by an isolation joint and must not block weep holes, vents or the damp-proof course.
A broom finish or exposed aggregate gives good grip. Contrasting nosings help people see the edge of each step.
Yes. The concrete can be formed as a base for tiles or stone, with the finished heights calculated so each riser ends up equal after tiling.
Often, yes. Restoration may suit heritage homes. Steps that are unsafe or have moved significantly may need rebuilding.
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Get a steps quote
Send photos of the area and the doors or paths the steps connect. We will arrange a free site look and a written quote.