Final details: Safer steps

After our new deck was finished last autumn, it was obvious that it was a bit higher than the old one; just enough to make stepping on and off of it awkward. The step we installed on two sides of the deck were stones that had been set with a bobcat back in 1998.

I suggested replacing them with a large limestone step. Mark thought that the old stones could be dug out and raised up enough to make them work as well as they used to. But he was unable to move them in the slightest degree.

Since we are about to have an open garden event to celebrate our redesign, we did not want to have to worry about whether people would find it difficult getting on and off of the deck. So Mark quickly made wooden steps to temporarily cover their stone predecessors. 

They're much easier to use and a great solution. Though you can see the stone underneath in these photos, you don't really notice them when you are using the wooden steps. 

I like this temporary solution so much, I suggested to Mark that we talk to the craftsman who built our deck, to see if he would make steps out of Ipe wood to match the deck. Stay tuned.

Comments

[Barbara H.]

Great idea! The "temporary" solution looks really good, though.

[Linda Brazill]

BARBARA — Thanks. Now that the garden is too developed to get a bobcat into it, moving big rocks is almost impossible. So I think this is good way to solve the problem.

[danger garden]

We've had a "steps project" in the queue for years (something to ease the transition from the shade pavilion to the patio)... glad you're moving faster than us!

[Kris P]

Good work! It fits in nicely even in its temporary form.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Very nice! And your shoes match it. :)

[Frank]

excellent solution and I hope the Ipe option also happens. That deck is beautiful :)

[Linda Brazill]

FRANK — It sounds crazy but we love that deck; beautiful and so well made. It curves around the big honey locust at the edge of it. And it looks like it's made of cherry when it's wet during a rainstorm.