This weekend I am going to rebuild the timber steps pictured in the attached files. Any advice on how to proceed? I was considering creating a lap joint on the 6×6 tread and the 6×6 runner. It would be a bit more work, but I thought it might look a little more finished. Also, the original timbers are actually 6″ x 6″, while the replacements will be 5 1/2 square. I don’t want to add an extra step. What is the best way to make up the difference? Thanks!
BTW, between the timbers is field stone.
Edited 8/18/2004 4:03 pm ET by kbranch
Replies
Don't know if this will help you too much, but we used to use the landscape timbers that are rounded on the inside and outside and flat on the top and bottom (I think they were 3-1/2" thick) and we'd alternate them with regular PT 2X4's and overlap the 2X4's at the corners on the lower landscape timbers. (Like a log cabin, alternating the two kinds of lumber and making like a finger joint (must be a better term for it--like dovetails only no taper) at the corners. Don't know how this would work for something only 6" deep. But the 2x4's made a nice shadow line between the landscape timbers and gave the corners strength by being overlapped.
This is the way I do it - see attached pic.
Aha, pic helps--that's what I was talking about, only I was proposing rounded 4x6 instead of square 4x4's.
I started demolition on the steps last night. I was expecting the foundation for the steps, and more specifically the 6x6s, to stay intact so I wouldn't have to do a lot of foundation repair. I knew I would have to reset the flagstone, but what I found is that most of the 6xs are rotten and it is basically just loose soil underneath. When I pull out the 6xs it all colapses.
I am rapidly approaching doing the demo myself and hiring someone to put in the steps. Replacing like for like would not have been too difficult if the ground held together a bit more, but I will basically have to start from scratch. I can see the $$$ adding up. For now I have cancelled the order of timbers I placed. I'll post some pictures of what I am now thinking of having someone else do!
Too bad that the steps are in such bad shape--always seems to be the case that things are worse than you imagined once you really get into them! Good luck! You did see the picture posted by another guy, (dirishinme) right? That'd be the way to do it. Demo should be easy--easier than you expected! Maybe someone else can advise you on foundation for them, but it seems like it could still be DIY--if you have the time to monkey with it. That's usually my probelm--finding the time. ('Course, I do spend a lot of time on this website!)
Edited 8/19/2004 4:00 pm ET by Danno
You got it right - time is the issue, but also materials. Now that I need to repair the foundation we are dealing with a lot more digging, replacing dirt with crushed stone, getting rid of the dirt, how much crushed stone do I need? I was originally planning to work on this the whole weekend from start to finish, but there are too many unknowns for me.
Someone mentioned looking into different materials - Since I probably won't be doing it myself at this point I may consider other options - like stone.
Use VERSA-LOK retaining wall units. Exactly 6" tall- will make for an easy transition. Done right, you will never have to replace or fix them. And they look so much better than PT wood. You can use your existing flagstone or use pavers in between each.
Versa-Lok looks very promising. Thanks for the tip. I have a couple of landscapers coming over to give quotes. We will probably change the layout of the steps since we are having someone else do it. This project just got very expensive!
I will update you on the progress.
Yeah, the dreaded project "creep". Happens a lot. Like the time I was going to replace some bad caulk around a window and a week later I've finally finished reframing the window opening, flashing it the way it should have been done in the first place and replacing the trim inside and painting.
Actually they are 6x6s, not 4x4s, athough I guess it could be done with 4x4s. Sorry, but, IMO those rounded on the sides 4x4s are cr@p...
Anyway, the whole thing can be a lot of work. I did one such project using railroad ties. What a mess - that black creosote, all over me, gumed up my chain saw, and any other tool that came near - never again. And the rail road ties were not uniform in size, which made it even worse. Matt
I know a lot of people hate those rounded timbers I call "landscape" timbers. They do seem to rot out fast, even though treated. When I was a framing carpenter we used a lot though and they seemed pretty good (haven't gone back to check how they're fairing though). Maybe we just got some good ones. Anyway, they did look nice, especially with the narrower board between.
Since the existing wood has failed look into other materials for a solution
just to had more ideas:)
mike
No good deed goes unpunished