Calculation, installation, pouring and finishing of concrete stairs with your own hands. A guide to making a monolithic concrete staircase with your own hands How to pour a staircase with your own hands

Of all the architectural structures that are encountered in the construction of two-story houses, one of the most complex is the staircase. Firstly, it should be noted that this element of the room must be highly reliable, meet certain standards for its safe operation, be beautiful and comfortable. Secondly, the most complex of all the proposed structures is the concrete staircase to the second floor. It would be easier to install wood or metal.

Why is this option better than others? Let's start with the fact that concrete tolerates intensive use better than all other materials. Such a staircase does not creak and does not dry out over time. It is possible to implement the most original and non-standard options using concrete mortar.

These can be classic flights of stairs, screw structures or any other composite variations. A wide variety of finishes can be used. Plus, it is a monolithic structure.

As mentioned above, there are many models of staircase structures. Anyone who decides to build this architectural element with their own hands must understand that complex stairs require experience in carrying out this type of work. This is especially true for formwork. It will be very difficult to assemble it exactly according to the shape and geometry of the structure.

Therefore, beginners are recommended to make single-flight stairs to the second floor. But when you master this option, and the end result fully meets the operating requirements, you can move on to more complex designs. For example, to double-flight, screw, and so on.

Photo gallery

Construction stages

Pouring a concrete staircase to the second floor is divided into several stages. Each of them has special requirements.

Calculation

There are certain standards for flights of stairs, determined by SNiPs:

• minimum march width 90 cm;
• height of steps 17 cm;
• step width is 30 cm, this size ensures comfortable climbing the stairs;
• the angle of inclination of the structure itself is 30º, for non-standard solutions, for example, to reduce the size of an architectural element – ​​45º;
• the height of the staircase itself is determined based on all layers (thermal, waterproofing, finishing) on ​​the first and second floors.

There are certain standard ratios of step sizes. In this case, it is believed that the two heights of the step plus its width should vary from 60 to 64 cm.

Concrete stairs are a very heavy structure. Even a small one will weigh at least 1.5 tons. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the structure and build a reliable foundation for it. The calculation here is as follows: the entire structure in the form of a monolith must create a pressure of 1 kg/cm².

The best option is to pour a 10 cm thick concrete screed onto well-compacted soil. If the weight of the structure exceeds 2.5 tons, then it is recommended to pour a separate foundation under it.

This is the most difficult operation in the entire process. To construct the formwork you need:

• boards 30 mm thick or moisture-resistant plywood 20 mm;
• timber 100×100 mm;
• plywood 9 mm thick to create curved surfaces.

If the concrete staircase going to the second floor rests on one of the walls, then this simplifies the assembly process itself. To do this, the contours of the future structure are drawn on the wall exactly according to the dimensions planned by the project and calculations. Beams are installed along them, which are attached to the wall with dowels. The strength of the fastener is very important here, so you can’t skimp on it.

Exactly the same contour is assembled from the wall to the width of the span, which is installed on racks made of timber. After which the two contours are connected along the lower planes with plywood or boards. Next, the contours themselves are connected to each other from above by crossbars made of wooden slats. That is, a rigid structure is assembled without cracks or gaps. Some craftsmen install additional racks under stepped spans, thereby increasing the strength of the wooden structure.

There is a simplified version of formwork construction. To do this, it is necessary to cut stringers from the boards, one of which is attached to the wall, the second is installed on racks. Here it is important to install both elements exactly in the same plane. The bottom of the stringers is lined with plywood.

Stringers are elements of a staircase (also load-bearing) in the form of a comb, if you look at them from the side. The shape of the stringer determines the shape of the steps of the staircase.

Laying the frame

Any concrete structure, including stairs, must meet certain requirements for the strength of the concrete being poured. Therefore, a metal grid must be installed in its monolith, which will serve as a reinforced frame. It is made from reinforcement with a diameter of 8-12 mm.

There are two ways to lay the frame:

• for the entire span;
• in sections, fastening the gratings together with binding wire.

The first option is a little more complicated in that installing the grille is simply inconvenient. You will have to involve several assistants. If a staircase to the second floor is being built from several flights, then only the second option is used. To increase the strength of the structure, you can install a double lattice: one along the lower edges of the stringers, the second along the steps.

Before pouring the stairs to the second floor, it is necessary to form the steps. To do this, strictly in size, it is necessary to install crossbars from boards 30 mm thick, which will represent the sidewalls that determine the height of the step.

Everything is ready, you can pour the concrete solution. For stairs, concrete grade M150 is most often used, which contains cement, crushed stone and sand. The ratio of components may be as follows.

As in the manufacture of all concrete structures, the stairs must be compacted after pouring the mortar. Since the process is carried out at home and with your own hands, you can simply pierce it using a trowel.

Maintenance of the structure after installation

In this condition, the semi-finished staircase should last seven days. After which you can remove the formwork.

Hydration

If the air temperature in the room is high enough (for example, pouring is done in the summer), then it is recommended to water the concrete structure periodically. In some cases, it is even covered with burlap or plastic film.

The thing is that the moisture inside the concrete solution plays a very important role. It is this that creates the necessary strength of the concrete itself during the evaporation process. But it should evaporate slowly.

Grinding

After removing the formwork, you need to grind the surfaces using a sander. But there is no need to rush with this operation. To test, try sanding a small area hidden from view. If the crushed stone turns out during the grinding process, this indicates that the concrete has not yet dried well. That is, it did not gain the necessary hardness and strength.

But the flight of stairs can only be loaded after 28 days. It is after this period that the concrete mixture will gain its original strength.

Not a single residential or industrial building is conceivable without such a structural element as a staircase. A series of steps serves as a communication point between rooms located at different levels. She experiences considerable stress every day. Therefore, increased demands are placed on it in terms of comfort, reliability and safety. This article will talk about how to make a concrete staircase with your own hands.

Reinforced monolithic concrete stairs

• Staircase structures can be rectangular, rotary or spiral. But regardless of the type, the concrete architectural element has the following advantages.
• Resistance to moisture, temperature fluctuations and aggressive environments. Therefore, such structures are erected both indoors and outdoors.
• High strength is achieved by reinforcing the concrete mixture. The steps can withstand very impressive loads, which makes them incredibly reliable and practically durable.

Monolithic concrete stairs photo

• Concrete stairs provide ample opportunities for decorative finishing. Here you can use porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles, wooden planks (parquet, laminate) and other materials.
• The steps do not require special care or regular impregnation. If a defect occurs on the surface, it is enough to re-fill the area to be restored with concrete.
• The construction of the structure is carried out on its own without the use of special or expensive building materials, as well as without the involvement of special equipment and specialists.
• Filled steps are ready for use within 7-10 days. This allows you to use them at all stages of construction, carry tools, materials, etc.
• Since the staircase is erected simultaneously with the construction of the house, in addition to its direct purpose, it plays another role - constructive.
• Among the disadvantages are its impressive weight, massiveness (takes up a lot of space) and solidity - the staircase cannot be dismantled, rearranged or modified.

Concrete grade for staircase structures

• To make concrete stairs, ready-made mortar M200 class B15 or M250 class B20 is usually used. This material is based on fine crushed stone, with the addition of binders, modified additives and other fillers.
• When choosing concrete for the construction of external stairs, it is important to pay attention to the frost resistance (F) and water resistance (W) indicators.

To mix concrete mortar Mark 250 on your own, use the following proportions:

• 1 part concrete M400;
• 2 parts washed sand;
• 4 parts of crushed stone fraction 10x20 mm;
• about ½ part water;
• 0.7% by weight of cement plasticizing additive C-3.

Mixing the mortar the old fashioned way, using a pallet and a shovel, is incredibly difficult, especially since filling the steps must be done in one go. Therefore, it is recommended to borrow a compact concrete mixer from your neighbors or rent it from construction crews.

First, sand and crushed stone are poured into the device, and the bulk materials are mixed for at least 2-3 minutes. Then a plasticizer (in dry or concentrated form) and water are added. All components are mixed for at least 5 minutes.

Important! Poor mixing of all components reduces the final strength of concrete by 20%.

How to make a concrete staircase with your own hands

Staircase design

• If work on the construction of a staircase is carried out independently (without the involvement of specialists), then the project on paper is drawn up on its own. The plan calculates the dimensions of the room, the slope of the structure, its length and width, and also takes into account the presence of doorways, the method and direction of opening the doors.
• The construction of concrete stairs requires special attention to the angle of inclination. The optimal value of this parameter is in the range of 26-37º. A staircase that is too steep can become life-threatening, while a staircase that is flatter will take up a lot of usable space, and it is not particularly comfortable when ascending/descending.

• When developing a project, you must act consistently. First, the number of steps is calculated, then their length, width, angle of rotation, platform parameters, etc. Only with the right approach can we talk about the safety and convenience of the design.

Calculation of stage parameters

• In addition to strength characteristics, such a design must meet operational characteristics. The selected parameters should be as comfortable as possible when ascending or descending while maintaining evenness of step.
• As for the width, it can vary from 0.9 to 1.5 meters. Undoubtedly, the wider the staircase, the more convenient it is, but the area of ​​the room does not always allow the construction of structures of the preferred size. Therefore, when designing, we take into account not only comfort, but also free squaring.

There are average indicators of stages that determine ease of use:

• height 190-220 mm;
• width 250-330 mm.

• To correctly calculate the parameters, use the simple formula 2a+b=640, where: a - step height; b - step width; 640 mm is the average length of a human step.
• Substituting the average data, we get: 2x190+280=660. As you can see from the example, the selected dimensions fully correspond to comfortable performance characteristics.
• Using the Pythagorean theorem, we calculate the length of the march. Here it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the decorative flooring. The result obtained is divided by the height of one step. For example: 3000/190=15.8, which means there are 16 steps for a 3-meter long flight.
• If during the calculations the tenth part is small (for example, it turned out to be 14.3 or 16.4), then it is recommended to take only the whole number as a basis, and distribute the remainder evenly over the height of all steps (the damage to the comfort of ascent and descent will be insignificant).

Important! When calculating, you should take into account the height of the tallest family member. So that when he gets up on the second step he doesn’t hit his head on the ceiling. Here it is necessary to add 400 mm to a person’s height (the average height of two steps without finishing material!)

Formwork for pouring concrete stairs

• Formwork assembly is one of the key aspects of construction. To make the concrete surface as smooth as possible, use moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of at least 20 mm. For the side walls of steps and the formation of risers, edged boards with a thickness of 30-35 mm are used.

• For the bottom surface, take a solid slab. Its installation at the desired angle is carried out using vertical bars or special telescopic racks, which can be easily rented from construction teams.
• Since the mass of the concrete mixture is quite large, it makes sense to use metal corners and bars to strengthen the formwork. It is recommended to attach additional reinforcing elements to the bottom of the formwork every 50-80 cm.
• Next, steps are formed using edged boards. During installation, the internal dimensions are taken as a basis, that is, when fixed, the external parameters of each step will be 30-35 mm (exactly the width of the lumber used) larger than the design parameters.
• Wooden elements must fit tightly to each other, the formation of gaps and cracks is not allowed. To prevent the solution from being absorbed into the lumber, before pouring it, it is generously moistened or the walls are protected with plastic film, as well as any waterproofing material.

Important! When assembling the structure, self-tapping screws are used. Their location should be only external, so that when dismantling the formwork there are no difficulties that could lead to partial destruction of the concrete surface.

Technology for reinforcing concrete stairs

• To give strength to the staircase structure and prevent the edges of the steps from crumbling, reinforcement is carried out. For the work you will need steel reinforcement with a diameter of 8 and 14 mm, knitting wire, as well as a tool for bending and cutting rods, pliers.
• Thicker steel rods are used for longitudinal reinforcement, and smaller diameter rods for transverse reinforcement. At a distance of at least 30 mm from the bottom of the formwork, 14 mm reinforcement is laid in increments of 150-200 mm. To do this, it is enough to place broken pieces of brick or ceramic tiles under it.

• Transverse rods are also laid out at a distance of 150-200 mm from each other. Fixation of the reinforcement in the form of a mesh is ensured by means of a knitting wire, fastened and tightened with pliers.
• For reliability, you can lay out the second row of the finished mesh with 150x150mm cells from 4 mm reinforcement. This layer should be positioned in such a way that the concrete layer covers the metal by 30-40 mm. To ensure such parameters, original chairs are prepared from metal rods.
• If the structure will rest on three sides (top, bottom and side), then reinforcement is laid in advance during the construction of the walls. As a result, the most durable fixation of the staircase from the side is ensured.

How to properly pour concrete stairs

• The concrete solution begins to be poured from the bottom step. The frame is filled in small portions. After filling, tamping is performed with an electric vibrator. This tool will help get rid of air voids that adversely affect the strength characteristics of the finished structure.
• In addition to the vibrator, you can gently tap with a hammer on all sides of the formwork. As a rule, the mixture will settle 2-3 cm from the required level; the deficiency is compensated by a new portion of the concrete mixture. Next, the tamping process is repeated.

• If the solution no longer settles, then the surface is finally leveled with a trowel or rule. Between concreting each step, a break of 10-15 minutes should be maintained, during which time the pressure of the solution drops slightly.
• To move upward, you can lean a standard wooden ladder on the frame or use ordinary boards. After completion of the work, the concrete is covered with plastic film, which prevents it from drying out prematurely.

Important! During the first 2-3 days, the polyethylene is periodically removed, and the concrete surface is wetted by spraying; a direct stream of water should be avoided.

• The frame is dismantled after 3-4 weeks; it is during this period that the concrete mixture will gain at least 80-90% strength.
• The undoubted advantage of concrete surfaces is their absolute maintainability. Therefore, if any defects are found after drying, they can easily be corrected by partial “patches” or re-filling. However, in order to avoid financial and time costs, it is better to do it once according to all the rules, putting in more effort and effort.

Decoration Materials

• It is not recommended to leave a concrete staircase without further finishing. After some time, the edges of the steps will begin to crumble. And the appearance of the staircase leaves much to be desired, although many modern styles welcome concrete structures in their original form.
• Depending on the style direction, the steps are lined with porcelain stoneware, ceramic mosaics, and wooden planks. The side walls and bottom surface of the stairs are usually plastered and then painted.

• For safety of movement, the staircase structure is equipped with fences. Balusters and railings are made of wood and chromed metal. Forged products are distinguished by high decorative qualities, which can be called real works of art.

Almost any modern building is built with interfloor passages or porch steps. Based on the strength characteristics of the material, monolithic concrete stairs are most often poured. Such structures can have different shapes, carry different physical loads and be located both inside the building and outside.

In our article we will tell you what you should pay attention to when constructing a staircase made of monolithic concrete, how not to make mistakes with calculations during the design process, what shape of steps should be preferred in various conditions, and we will also describe the stages of constructing the structure.

Concrete stairs vary depending on:

• the method of their manufacture,
• span structures,
• places of the march.

Preparation method

During construction, factory-made ready-made march structures can be used or the formwork can be poured directly on site. Factory designs guarantee the strength of the building element.

If you choose the method of making a flight of stairs yourself on site, you should carefully consider mixing the solution and following the pouring technology.

Marching stairs

This is the most common type of design. Their advantages include simplicity in design and safety in operation.

A transition can consist of one or more marches and be connected in various ways:

Marching concrete monolithic stairs usually rest on the wall of the building on at least one side, so the reinforcement of such steps is mounted against the load-bearing part of the building.

Screw designs

Construction technology

Work on the installation of a flight of stairs includes several stages:

1. choice of design type,
2. calculation and design,
3. installation of formwork panels,
4. reinforcement of the future span,
5. pouring concrete mortar.

In addition, it must be taken into account that a reinforced concrete monolithic staircase requires mandatory decorative treatment, which will simultaneously perform a protective function. Concrete has a porous structure, so in direct contact with the external environment, untreated elements will begin to deteriorate over time.

Construction type

If you decide to install monolithic concrete stairs in a private house, you should start with careful calculations and drawing up projects. Concrete pouring, being the most cost-effective, does not forgive mistakes.

If a mistake is made during the design, correcting inaccuracies and shortcomings during the construction process will entail quite significant costs. Everything will have to be redone, starting with the formwork panels. At the same time, it is practically impossible to reuse the material.

Monolithic concrete stairs: fabrication of structures on site by pouring into formwork should begin with careful measurements of the existing building. If the staircase is installed simultaneously with the entire structure, the first two stages are closely interconnected.

The choice of design option is often limited by its installation location. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account certain requirements for the dimensions of the steps in order to make using the stairs comfortable.

On a note! In the limited small space of a residential building, the possibility of forming a spiral staircase should be considered. Reinforced concrete monolithic stairs along stringers are suitable for tight spaces. Visually, this design looks light, without cluttering or weighing down the space.

If the size of the room allows you to place a flight of stairs with a comfortable level of slope, preference should be given to simpler, straight flights.

Design

When drawing up a project, you should take into account building codes and dimensions developed and adopted taking into account standard loads.

Instructions for designing a reinforced concrete staircase, regardless of the type of structure and its location, involve determining the main dimensions of the structure as a whole and all its elements:

• Slope. This indicator mainly depends on the size of the room. The most convenient for use are steps located at an angle of 30-350. At the same time, the slope of the stairs may be different. But it is necessary to take into account that the steeper the staircase, the more difficult it will be to use. This indicator is especially relevant for premises that will be used by children and the elderly.
• Width of stairs and landing between flights. Even at the design stage, it should be taken into account that for the comfortable passage of one person, this figure must be at least 0.9 m. At the same time, designs with winder steps require a larger width, since not the entire area of ​​the step is suitable for movement, but only its distance from center part.
• The tread or horizontal surface of a step, as a rule, is in the range of 25 - 30 cm. When designing and calculating the slope, the net size is taken into account. For a comfortable step, the tread can be increased by providing an overhang. In this case, this indicator should not exceed 30 mm.
• The riser or vertical part of the step should be between 13 and 19 cm.

On a note! At the design stage, the number of steps is determined. It is recommended to calculate the size of the steps so that there is an odd number of them in the flight. It is more comfortable to start and finish going down or going up stairs with one foot.

Formwork and reinforcement

Depending on the type of structure, the order of work may vary. Most often, the sequence of events is as follows:

• install the lower formwork panels;
• reinforcement of a monolithic reinforced concrete staircase is laid;
• The formwork of the upper boundaries of the steps is installed.

Shields must be made of moisture-resistant material. It is necessary to fasten the formwork so that it can be easily removed at the end of the work.

Typically, self-tapping screws are used for fastening, which can be easily unscrewed. All structural elements are precisely adjusted to the size of the steps and installed without gaps to prevent leakage.

A staircase made of monolithic reinforced concrete must have volumetric reinforcement. The lower longitudinal and transverse rods should not touch the bottom; there should be a distance of at least 20 mm between the shield and the reinforcement.

The rods are welded or tied together, depending on the type of reinforcement. Structurally, the reinforcement of the stairs should be tied to the load-bearing walls of the building. To do this, rods are driven into the walls to a depth of 20 cm with a step equal to the size of the tread.

On a note! At this stage, you should strengthen the edge of the steps with reinforcing mesh and install embedded metal parts for attaching the railings.

Concrete pouring

A monolithic concrete staircase is poured in one step - this is the basic rule and the key to long and successful operation of the structure. When pouring it yourself, it is better to purchase the required amount of ready-made solution from a specialized organization.

Mixing the solution in the required quantity and pouring it into the formwork at the same time is quite problematic. Concrete is poured from the top step, equalizing the plane of the tread as the pour progresses. When pouring from the bottom step, you will not be able to move up without compromising the integrity of the lower steps.

After the entire volume of the stairs is poured, the concrete is left to dry. It is very important to avoid excessive evaporation of water from the solution. To do this, cover the fill with film, periodically moistening it during the drying process for an average of a week.

After the concrete has gained initial strength, the film is removed and the upper formwork panels are twisted. It is recommended to remove the lower part of the formwork no earlier than after 21 days. By this point, the concrete will gain up to 90% strength. You can learn more about how to build monolithic concrete stairs yourself by watching the video in this article.

Conclusion

When deciding to install marching or spiral reinforced concrete monolithic stairs in your house, you will definitely get a reliable, stable and safe structure as a result. At the same time, the price of such a staircase is the most budget-friendly in comparison with similar designs.

If the dimensions of the steps are correctly calculated and the filling technology is followed, the structure will last for many years. And the possibility of using decorative finishing with almost any material will allow you to create an interior of various styles.

Modern private houses, with rare exceptions, are built on two or three floors. According to this format, a private house is equipped with two or three staircases - an entrance staircase and one or two interfloor structures.

The best, simplest, inexpensive and at the same time durable option is a concrete staircase, which can be made on your own without the involvement of expensive hired labor.

Construction stages

In general, the work on constructing a concrete staircase consists of the following main stages:

• Determination of the type of staircase: single-flight, two-flight, spiral.
• Design calculation: number and dimensions of steps, width and length of the structure.
• Production and assembly of formwork.
• Installation of reinforcing belt.
• Pouring concrete.
• Dismantling of formwork.
• Finishing concrete stairs with wood, artistic forging, ceramic tiles, mosaics or other available materials.

A two-flight and spiral staircase made of concrete is a rather difficult project to implement with your own hands. The flights of two flights of stairs are erected at an angle of 90 degrees, with an intermediate platform, winder steps and other features.

A spiral staircase requires a complex special calculation of the spiral line and the subsequent manufacture and correct installation of curved formwork. Therefore, it is better to trust the construction of these types of stairs to experienced professional builders. Within the framework of this article, an option will be considered - a single-flight concrete staircase to the second floor, which you can make with your own hands without experience or special education.

Calculation of the design of a single-flight concrete staircase

The angle of inclination of the flight and the dimensions of the steps should be determined in each specific case, depending on the size of the room. Standard, commonly used tilt angles are 25, 35 and 45 degrees. The most preferable option is the march inclination angle - 45 degrees. In this case, the stairs in a concrete house are not only safe and convenient for climbing, but also optimal in terms of the cost of building materials.

Having determined the height and angle of inclination of the march, determine the height and width of the steps. The best option: riser height 160-200 mm, tread width 270-300 mm. The width of the march is also taken individually in each specific case.

If the stairs are located between two walls, the width of the structure is taken to be the distance between the walls. If the march on one side is adjacent to the wall, and the other side “hangs” in the air, the minimum width of the structure is 800-900 millimeters.

It is highly advisable to create a drawing or sketch of the future staircase for the correct calculation and installation of formwork parts.

Important point! When accepting a particular step height, do not forget about the possible finishing, the thickness of which can significantly change this size. For example, finishing with wood will raise the height of the step by at least 20-25 millimeters.

Formwork for concrete stairs

Assembly and installation is a very important stage of construction, on which the durability of the staircase depends. Even a small mistake and relying on the Russian “maybe” can lead to the destruction of the formwork during pouring or hardening of concrete with all the ensuing consequences. In general, the following materials will be required to assemble the formwork:

• Waterproof plywood with a thickness of 12-18 millimeters, or edged planed boards with a thickness of 25-30 millimeters on boards to form the steps, side and bottom parts of the structure.
• Beam 100x100 millimeters for supporting the lower panels (bottom) of the formwork and connecting sheets of plywood or boards.
• Steel corner and wood screws with a diameter of 3.5-4.5 mm for assembling panels.

The surfaces of the formwork facing the concrete must be perfectly smooth. You can achieve the desired result in several ways: sanding, covering with plastic film or using laminated plywood.

In general, the formwork assembly technology consists of the following steps:

• Installation of the lower part, made of panels assembled from sheets of plywood or boards. A combined option is possible: plywood + boards. The lower part is laid at the calculated angle of inclination on supporting bars. The pitch and number of bars coincides with the pitch and number of steps. The formwork elements are fastened using self-tapping screws rather than traditional nails. After the concrete has hardened, it will be much easier to disassemble the formwork assembled with self-tapping screws than a structure assembled with nails.
• The next step is the installation of the side part (if one side of the staircase is adjacent to the wall) or in two parts if one side of the staircase is “hanging in the air”. The side parts are assembled from plywood or boards, and on the outside they are reinforced with a belt made of timber.
• Formation of risers. In accordance with the estimated number and dimensions of risers, they are formed with boards or plywood secured to the side parts or wall using steel corners.
• Final stage of installation. To make it easier to finish a poured concrete staircase with one material or another, all joints facing the concrete should be thoroughly cleaned and smoothed using an angle grinder and putty with cement-sand mortar. The formwork is ready for installation of the reinforcing belt.

Installation and knitting of the reinforcing belt

In order for a concrete staircase in a private house to be strong and durable, its structure should be strengthened. In this case, you get monolithic durable concrete that will last as long as the building of the house lasts.

A span of several steps can be reinforced with a mesh of reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 millimeters laid along the bottom of the formwork at a height of at least 20-30 mm from the surface of the formwork facing the concrete.

To set a gap of 20-30 mm, use pieces of brick or special plastic stands. The pitch of the longitudinal and transverse rods is taken such that cells of 50x50 millimeters are obtained. The reinforcement is tied into a single unit with soft steel or copper “knitting” wire with a diameter of 0.7 to 1 millimeter.

To reinforce large-scale stairs, several longitudinal and vertical reinforcing meshes are used, which must be attached to the wall in one way or another. For example, using drilled holes into which pins of the appropriate diameter are driven.

Pouring concrete stairs

To fill the structure, heavy concrete grade M200 is used. Concrete is prepared either independently according to the following recipe - 1 kg of cement TsEM I 32.5N PC (M400), 2.8 kg of sifted washed quarry sand, 4.4 kg of granite crushed stone with a particle fraction of at least 10-20 mm, 10 milliliters of liquid soap (plasticizer), water 0.7 liters, or place an order for the finished material by contacting the nearest concrete plant. The first option has half the cost, and the second option is of higher quality in terms of the composition of components and more efficient in terms of construction time. Filling stages:

• Filling the formwork with concrete begins from the lower steps. Initially, 2-3 steps are filled, after which the concrete is compacted by uniformly bayoneting a piece of reinforcement over the entire area of ​​the poured structure.
• Using a trowel and spatula, the steps are given their final look - the plane of the treads is smoothed, achieving horizontality.
• The entire structure is poured, after which the treads are tamped and smoothed as in the previous case.
• The resulting structure is carefully covered with plastic wrap for 5-7 days. In hot weather, the film is moistened with water several times a day.

Dismantling of formwork

There is no need to rush through this stage of construction. After 5-7 days, carefully remove the side panels and riser formwork. If the concrete is still very wet and “live”, dismantling work should be stopped and wait a few more days.

The best option is to wait from 20 to 28 days (if the ambient air temperature is in the range of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and above). This is the estimated period of time during which concrete gains 70-80% of its brand strength.

Finishing concrete stairs

immediately after removing the formwork, all surfaces of the stairs are thoroughly cleaned with angle grinders equipped with the appropriate tools: Baumesser Beton diamond cutters, Long diamond discs for grinding concrete, BOSCH diamond discs for grinding concrete and other similar tools.

Then everything depends on the imagination and personal preferences of the developer. To finish the surface of the stairs you can use: valuable wood, porcelain stoneware, ceramic floor tiles, or natural stone. The side surface and bottom can simply be plastered and covered with water-based paint.

Readers of the article may be interested in the question of how the entrance staircase to a concrete house is built. Street stairs made of concrete are calculated and built , almost similar to the stairs to the second floor inside the house. The difference between the technology is the absence of lower support for the span and the need to build a foundation with a depth corresponding to the depth of the foundation of the house.

Now, knowing how to make a concrete staircase with your own hands, you can calculate it, purchase the necessary building materials and build this structure without the involvement of expensive hired labor from specialists.

Concrete stairs are the most durable and reliable. They have a number of undeniable advantages over other types of products.

• strength;
• durability;
• fire resistance;
• noiselessness;
• individual design;
• wide range of finishes;
• variety of forms.

Also, concrete is not afraid of moisture, and the steel reinforcement, which is the basis of the structure, is reliably protected from the negative effects of the environment.

Stairs made of reinforced concrete can be installed both outside and indoors. Thanks to their performance qualities and the variety of cladding options, the products can become not only a functional unit, but also an exquisite detail of the interior of a cottage, private home or office space.

Types and design of concrete stairs - choosing a design

Types of concrete stairs can be divided according to the manufacturing method:

• monolithic;
• prefabricated (from ready-made elements).

By type of construction:

• marching;
• screw.

At installation location:

• internal;
• external.

Before you start installing the structure, you need to decide in advance which concrete staircase device is best suited for a particular room.

Monolithic concrete stairs

Monolithic concrete stairs get their name because they are made by pouring cement into prepared formwork in such a way that at the end we get a cast frame. The product is installed in the place where it will be used.

Ready-made concrete stairs

External stairs can be made from ready-made reinforced concrete flights. The main thing is that the terrain allows you to install the product with the required slope.

Installation is made from ready-made elements made in the form of rectangular, corner or triangular steps.

It is best to lay the parts on compacted soil, which is compacted with large crushed stone. To do this, use a shovel to cut out treads and risers corresponding to the size of the slabs. You can compact the base of the first stage using embankments: 5 cm of sand, then 5 cm of crushed stone. The basis for the concrete slab should be high-quality cement mortar, 2-3 centimeters thick.

Concrete spiral staircase

The most popular these days, due to their convenience and compactness, are spiral staircases made of concrete. They are especially relevant in cases where a small private house is being designed, where it is necessary to carefully consider every detail in order to save living space.

Thanks to their unusual design, spiral concrete staircases will fit perfectly into almost any interior. And they do not require the installation of a special central column.

Most often they are installed in rooms where the design provides for the presence of solid monolithic structures that combine not only reliability, but also an impressive appearance.

Railing for concrete stairs
Usually made of steel or solid wood. Connoisseurs of elegance and style sometimes choose metal fences with elements made of high-strength glass.

Concrete flight staircase

In turn, a concrete flight of stairs also has a number of undeniable advantages. It has excellent visibility and is easier to manufacture. It is certainly installed in houses where elderly people or children live, because it is certainly safer. The only downside is that such a product takes up much more space.

External concrete stairs

In the process of creating an external concrete staircase, you can use standard models or create your own, individual form. In any case, it is necessary to pay special attention to the quality of the material, because outdoor products are subject to maximum loads. Therefore, when making a rough calculation, add a certain “reserve” amount that may be required for a better solution.

Making a concrete staircase with your own hands - instructions for use

Reinforced concrete stairs are installed during the construction of the building, in contrast to products made from other materials, which are installed after the main work has been carried out. As a result, you can navigate through them at all stages of building a house, which greatly facilitates the completion and finishing of the premises.

Of course, special attention must be paid to the construction process, because making concrete stairs with your own hands is a rather labor-intensive process, which, with a lack of experience, can turn into a problem and entail serious financial costs.

The technology includes many nuances that must be taken into account during operation, because even a small deviation from the norm can cause problems.

First of all, you need to carry out all the necessary calculations in order to clearly determine what height of the steps will not cause inconvenience when climbing. The thickness of the floor coverings is also taken into account, which will subsequently be increased by covering the steps.

Assembling formwork for concrete stairs

To make the structure smooth and beautiful, a rigid and durable formwork for the concrete staircase is created for casting the structure. Most often, to avoid cement leakage, waterproof plywood is used, to which planed boards are closely fitted.

A frame made of reinforcement is necessarily knitted into the formwork, which will subsequently become the “skeleton” of the staircase and will protect the product from destruction. The frame consists of metal rods welded together.

This applies to all types of products, regardless of whether we are manufacturing concrete spiral staircases or creating a marching structure.

Steel rods are laid along the trunks of the flight of stairs and load-bearing edges, which are securely fastened together with transverse ties.

Before pouring the solution into the appropriate places, it is necessary to install wooden plugs or metal plates, to which the railings will subsequently be attached.

After a long and laborious process of assembling the frame and formwork, it may seem that the work is almost finished, but this is actually not the case. The most important and difficult work remains - pouring the concrete stairs .

Concreting a flight of stairs should be done at one time, and it is necessary to start from the lowest steps. To ensure that the structure is not too mobile and the solution does not flow out of the formwork before it has had time to dry, crushed stone (fraction 10-20 mm) must be added to it.

Compacting concrete is a very important process, because if this is not completed, the strength of the product will be seriously affected. For this job, it is best to use an electric construction compactor. If there is none, use improvised means.

The grade of concrete used to pour a monolithic structure must be at least B15.

You can use the stairs only after the concrete has completely dried.

Video: DIY concrete staircase

The lining of the concrete staircase should be done at the time of final finishing of the room. If we are talking about an element intended for the street, it is advisable to cover it with corrugated tiles in order to avoid the formation of ice, moving along which can create a lot of inconvenience.

Methods for finishing concrete stairs

A monolithic structure in its “bare” form looks unfinished, and therefore will not fit into every room design.

To, first of all, you need to decide on the choice of materials. This decision is significantly influenced by the shape of the march. For example, any finishing materials are perfect for a straight staircase, while for a curved structure or a staircase with winder steps, tiles or stone will be completely inappropriate.

When considering all options, the issue of safety must be taken into account. For example, if elderly people or children live in the house, it is worth choosing a material that can absorb shock in the event of a fall. The best option would be to cover a concrete staircase with wood, laminate, or cover it with a soft, dense carpet.

An equally important criterion when choosing a coating is its sound insulation. Wood or modern fleecy “carpet” material is ideal. Ceramics and stone, in turn, look more expensive, but they will sound every step, so tiling the steps can lead to the residents of the house waking up at night from loud sounds.

Finishing concrete stairs with wood
A traditional solution that will make the room warmer and more comfortable, and also visually lighten the massive structure.

If the design of the room is more classic than modern, it is best to use stone as an element decorating the concrete staircase. Photo examples can be seen on the Internet. Most often, the choice falls on granite or marble. In order to maintain an attractive appearance, it is necessary to coat the product with special impregnates that will protect the surface from clouding.

The most budget options

The most economical way to decorate would be to simply paint the concrete staircase. Depending on the preferences of the home owners, this can be done in one or more colors.

The problem with this solution is rapid wear of the coating. The paint will remain unprotected from abrasion, and you will have to periodically “refresh” the surface.

Carpet is also one of the most inexpensive options, but not every covering is suitable. In no case should it be slippery, no matter how beautiful it may look from an aesthetic point of view. Therefore, in addition to an attractive appearance, finishing a concrete staircase with carpet requires the use of only the safest materials.

Video: concrete staircase that does not require additional cladding

Conclusion

To summarize, we can say that it is quite possible to make concrete stairs with your own hands. The main thing is to follow the basic recommendations. Facing requires special care. For a structure to last for many years, it must not only be properly manufactured and installed, but also properly cared for.