Georgia is famous for its hills, and this property had a steep descent from the driveway to the backyard fire pit. The homeowner wanted a path that felt “solid” and wouldn’t wash away during Atlanta’s heavy rains.
Project Plan
We skipped the thin pavers and went for the “heavy hitters.” We installed solid stone steps measuring 18 inches deep by 3 feet wide. These stones are so massive they required a three-man team just to set each one in place.
Results
A grand, permanent stone staircase that leads to a custom-built fire pit and seating wall. We finished the area with slate gravel—a “barefoot-friendly” alternative to mulch that stays level and provides excellent drainage.
For more examples of our hardscaping and outdoor living projects, visit our projects gallery.
How We Build Stone Steps That Last on Steep Lots
Installing stone steps on a slope in Atlanta starts with the footing, not the pavers. The footing has to hold up when the clay under it freezes and thaws through the winter. The stones have to be heavy enough that water running down the hill can’t move them. Each one has to sit dead level so the descent feels solid underfoot.
These stones are 18 inches deep and three feet wide. They weigh enough that it takes three people to set each one. That’s not a marketing number. A stone that big actually weighs that much, and that’s why the staircase still feels solid years after install.
Learn more on our Stone Walls, Stone Patios, and Fire Pits & Fireplaces service pages.
Related Slope and Hardscape Projects
Three other projects that deal with similar challenges:
The Buckhead Backyard Transformation — tiered retaining walls with a mosaic Old-World stone face and wide hand-laid stone steps with LEDs embedded in the risers.
Custom Fireplace in Sandy Springs — a floor-to-ceiling dry-stack stone fireplace built as the centerpiece of a home addition.
The $85,000 Backyard Transformation — a month on-site in West Cobb with a flagstone floor, 80-foot stone wall, and outdoor kitchen.
Serving Atlanta’s Hill Country
A lot of Atlanta-area yards have grade changes steep enough to need more than a dirt path and some railroad ties. Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell, and parts of Marietta are full of lots like this one, with driveways up top, living space below, and a descent in the middle that can either be dealt with properly or fought every winter.
We’ve built stone staircases, retaining walls, patios, and fire features across Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, and Johns Creek. See our full service area for the list of cities we cover.
Get A Quote Today
Looking to tame your steep yard with a permanent stone solution? Contact us here today for a hillside assessment, or view our other services to see our full range of hardscaping.