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My daughter/husband want to put some steps going from back patio up to top of small hill...
Their back yard is long, narrow with a hill behind the house.
Any suggestions for materials, design that would be suitable.
At present, they are going to build wooden steps with a landing half way. I'm not sure they've researched enough!!
Thanks...by the way, they're in NC.
First off have them identify their budget.
That will immediately ascertain their material choices.
Second, look to the surrounding enviroment and architectural style of the home for clues as to what materials will link the landscape architecture to the homes architecture.
For example, a rustic wood timber stepway would be out of style for a modern styled home and would cause tension rather than unity despite the functionality of the step way.
When working on steps on a steep hill do not forgo the basic safety provisions and overlook that a constant rise and run must be maintained . Example : don't have one step be 7 inches wide and the next one 12 inches wide just because it fit the grade of the slope.
Designing and installing steps on a hillside takes time to calculate the rise and run in order to achieve a safe and code compliant set of stairs.
If this is a DIY project and the folks who are installing this are newbies, I suggest they do as much research as possible before putting a spade to the earth .
As the old saying goes - measure twice , cut once.
