Marble Steps: The building was constructed according to Greek methods, almost no iron was employed in the construction, and it took seven years to complete (1833-1840). Though in use for more than a century, the building is still sound. The Governor's Mansion (1883-1888), built in Queen Anne style, is of brick and sandstone, with white marble steps.
Wood or marble graining always ends with each separate piece of wood or marble. In the adjoining piece the graining commences in a different pattern or direction.
To be in good taste, painting made to imitate wood or marble must create a complete illusion, and the work must be very realistic.See Also Take Steps To Deepen:(See Chapter 4). Should your land lie low be¬side a lake, pond or other body of water so that a Tile drainage system is impractic¬able (because a sufficiently low outlet can¬not be found for the water from the drains) then regrading may be necessary. (See Chapter 3).
If you have less than seven or eight inches of fairly good topsoil add more, take steps to deepen it by the practices described
Steps can be built of a variety of materials including paving, bricks, wood and sections of tree trunk. If you have a collection of pieces of stone, all different sizes, you can use them to make crazy-paving steps (top left). If using logs, you can either cut them into disks (bottom left) or use them whole with stakes in front to keep them firm (bottom right). You can also use planks and lengths of square wood (top right); if you can find them, railroad ties make attractive steps.
On The Other Hand See Flight Of Steps:Steep flights should include a handrail—at about hand height, 2%ft—on each side, which extends about 12in beyond the flight, where it might possibly be linked with existing fencing or railings for a more unified scheme. Alternatively you might prefer to build a Wall (at handrail height) at each side of the flight.
Flights comprising more than 10 steps should be broken halfway with a landing which provides a good resting place and can also break a fall. Take this into account when calculating the number of treads that you require.
The treads should slope slightly toward the front—a pitch of about lAin is adequate —so that rainwater will drain off rapidly. This is particularly important in winter, when ice could make the steps slippery and dangerous. For the same reason, choose only block treads with non-slip textured faces.
Masonry steps can appear incongruous in an informal garden and wooden steps are often more appropriate. Cut-in steps are more suitable for this type of garden, and using sawn logs as the risers is a quick and easy way to form an attractive flight.
Garden steps need not always conform to a straight format. Where you have enough space, consider creating a flight composed of circular or segmental treads to scale a graceful shallow rise in the ground, perhaps leading to a formal terrace beyond.
Mark out the shape of the steps with an improvised pair of compasses made from a length of wood attached to a stake with string. Cut out the rough shape of the circular treads and cast cement block foundations beneath. There is no need to make the foundation block round; just cover the corners with soil after you have built the steps.
Use bricks or blocks laid on mortar to form the curving front edges of the treads, and fill the circles with gravel or cobblestones. You could even lay turf for a grassy flight of steps, but it is important to bear in mind that these would be very difficult both to maintain and to mow satisfactorily.
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