Granite Steps
Granite Walkway
Bluestone Steps
Granite Steps


"My original stairs were a lawsuit waiting to happen. The bricks had been shoddily repaired and they were falling apart. The height (rise) of each step varied. The railings and sidewalls of the staircase were collapsing outward. My mailman refused to deliver mail during the winter because the stairs were so dangerous. Tom designed a new granite entrance for my house. He demo'd the existing brick staircase and concrete walkway, removed all debris, supported the portico, refinished the columns, then set my granite stairs and landing. He replaced the concrete walkway with granite pavers.

My house looks phenomenal thanks to Tom's work. My neighbors are still talking! Tom's precision, cleanliness, punctuality and work ethic made a lasting impression on all who watched him work. I would not entertain work from another contractor. Tom will be back to work in the spring to give me a patio. He is very professional, insightful and dedicated to creating a thing of beauty. He loves his work and it shows."

- Elisabeth Wallace -

 

Look around at the older homes in your neighborhood, and they will likely serve as a testament to the beauty and durability of entrances and steps constructed of natural granite.

Granite is the premier material for steps and landings, for several reasons:

  • as a natural stone, it doesn’t hold water (unlike concrete)
  • properly installed granite is set dry, without any mortar, so there is nothing to come apart through the winter freeze/thaw cycle
  • it’s so heavy, it will remain in place forever if properly installed
  • seven-inch thick granite is non-skid, wear-resistant, and immune to damage from de-icer
  • indigenous to New England, granite is inherently beautiful
Granite Planters
Granite Landing
Curved Granite Steps

Slopes and elevation changes at the entrance to your home are often viewed as problems to be overcome. Likewise, cracked concrete or crumbling brick steps can prompt a call to the landscaper. In both cases, the project can be viewed as an opportunity to create a beautiful set of granite steps.
 
Construction expertise:
Properly installed steps and landings should be attractive, comfortable to traverse, and should last a lifetime -- so even in the design phase of the project, we address all critical details. If the previous structure failed, for example, we would investigate why. We then measure the slope, exactly, with a transit in order to determine the step tread width to best match the slope. If the steps curve, we also produce a spreadsheet with all the measurements needed for construction.
Bluestone Walkway
The careful execution of a granite step installation does not lend itself to a large crew. Instead, Tom prefers to handle the job himself in order to maintain a high level of quality control. He installs the steps one at a time, beginning at the bottom, making sure each step has a properly compacted foundation. He uses a Bobcat to transport each step to its approximate location, then uses rollers and levers to position it precisely by hand.

Since the steps weigh between 400 and 1600 pounds, the installation is both rewarding and impressive. There is always great feedback from the homeowner!

Please scroll down for examples of our work.
Click on the photo to see a larger image.
 
Sweeping Granite Staircase
 
Full color, natural cleft bluestone with a granite
landing provide both an entrance and a sitting area.
 
- After -
- Before -
     
Granite adds elegance to both the steps & walkway.
One step is moved into the walkway to break things up.
 
- After -
- Before -
     
Curving granite steps with bluestone stepping
stones replace the rotting wooden steps
Granite Steps after
  
Granite Steps before
- After -
- Before -
     



 
 
©2008 Natural Path Landscaping, LLC