Concrete Steps & Stairs

Safe Access for Every Level Change

Concrete steps and stairs are essential features of your property. They provide safe access between different levels, from your front porch to your driveway, from your backyard to your basement, or from your parking area to your entrance. Well-built steps last for decades and require almost no maintenance.

Damaged or poorly designed steps create serious safety hazards. Crumbling edges, uneven treads, and missing handrails cause falls that lead to injuries. If your steps are in poor condition, you are not just dealing with an eyesore. You have a liability issue that needs to be fixed.

We design and build concrete steps throughout Culver City for residential and commercial properties. Whether you need new front steps, backyard stairs, or commercial entrance stairs, we build them to code with proper dimensions and safety features. Every project gets the same attention to detail regardless of size.

Building Code Requirements for Steps

Concrete steps must meet specific building code requirements for safety. These codes exist because improperly built steps are dangerous. The dimensions need to be consistent, the slope needs to be correct, and the surface needs proper traction.

Key requirements for safe steps

• •Tread depth must be at least 10 inches for comfortable footing
• •Riser height between 4 and 7 inches with no more than 3/8 inch variation
• •Minimum width of 36 inches for residential stairs and 44 inches for commercial
• •Handrails required for stairs with 4 or more risers at 34 to 38 inches high
• •Non-slip surface finish to prevent falls in wet conditions

The most important rule is consistency. Every step in a flight of stairs must be the same height and depth. If one step is different, people trip because their muscle memory expects uniformity. We measure and build precisely to ensure every step matches.

We also make sure steps have proper drainage. Water should flow off the steps, not pool on them. We create a slight slope to the front of each tread for drainage. This prevents ice buildup in winter and reduces slip hazards. If you need other concrete work like walkways or patios, we coordinate everything together.

Our Step Construction Process

Building concrete steps requires careful planning and precise formwork. Unlike a simple slab, steps have multiple levels and angles that must be exact. We have built hundreds of staircases and know how to handle the complexities.

How we build stairs that last

First, we measure the total rise from bottom to top. This tells us how many steps you need and what the dimensions should be. We calculate the riser height and tread depth to meet code requirements and create a comfortable walking rhythm.

Next, we prepare the foundation. Steps need a solid base just like any other concrete structure. We excavate, compact the soil, and create a stable foundation. For steps attached to a building, we make sure they connect properly to the existing structure.

Then we build the forms. This is the most detailed part of the job. The forms create the shape of each step, so they must be accurate. We use quality lumber and brace everything securely. We install rebar reinforcement to prevent cracking and add strength.

When we pour the concrete, we work from bottom to top. We finish each tread with a broom texture for traction. After the concrete cures, we can add handrails if required. The finished steps are strong, safe, and built to last. If you also need patio installation, we can schedule the work together.

Frequently Asked Questions