Bilgola Beach
Sandstone fireplace and garden walls
A floor-to-ceiling sandstone fireplace under a raked ceiling, with sandstone block garden walls, steps and a crazy-paved path outside.
View projectSandstone Steps
Sandstone steps and staircases on the Northern Beaches
Northern Beaches blocks are rarely flat, so good steps matter. We build sandstone steps that sit right in the landscape, feel solid underfoot and keep the same rise from bottom to top.
- NSW licensed stonemason Lic. 328680C
- Working with stone since 2004
- 98% recommend us on Facebook
In short
Sandstone steps are stairs built from solid sandstone blocks or sawn treads on a footing, from short garden flights to curved staircases, or stone fixed over sound concrete stairs. Under the National Construction Code, rises and goings must stay the same through each flight, and handrails and barriers are needed where a person could fall 1 m or more.
From a short run of block steps up to the lawn to a sweeping staircase between rendered walls, Northern Beaches Stone builds stairs in sawn, split-face and recycled Sydney sandstone, as well as bluestone and travertine. Every flight is set out before a stone is laid, so the rises and goings are even and the stair is comfortable to use. See a curved sandstone staircase we built.
Blake Cooper has been learning the craft since 2004 and holds NSW contractor licence 328680C in the Stonemason class, which covers stone staircases. We work across the Northern Beaches and the North Shore.
What we build
Entry steps
Sawn sandstone front steps and landings that lead up to the door, with fixings allowed for a handrail where one is needed.
Garden and side-passage stairs
Stairs between terraced beds, down a steep side passage or from the deck to the lawn, built to suit narrow access.
Block steps
Solid sandstone blocks laid as steps, often built into a retaining wall so the wall and stair read as one piece.
Curved staircases
Sweeping stairs with sawn sandstone treads between curved rendered walls finished with sandstone coping.
Bullnose treads
Treads with a rounded front edge for a softer, traditional look that is kind on bare feet near pools and lawns.
Cladding existing stairs
Sandstone treads and risers fixed over sound concrete or masonry stairs to give them a new stone finish.
Even rises, solid footings
A stair is only comfortable when every step is the same. For stairs serving a house, the National Construction Code (NCC) limits riser and going sizes and requires them to stay constant through each flight. We set out the full flight from the top and bottom levels before we start, then adjust the number of steps so the dimensions work.
Each stair sits on a concrete footing or a compacted, well-drained base, depending on its size and the ground. On many Northern Beaches sites we hit sandstone bedrock close to the surface, which can make a very good base once it is cut to level.
- Consistent rise and going through each flight
- Treads laid with a slight fall so water runs off
- Footings or compacted bases suited to the soil and slope
- Handrail and barrier fixings allowed for where the height calls for them
Grip, leaf litter and mould
Sawn sandstone has a naturally gritty surface, and we can give treads a textured finish where extra grip is needed. Polished or honed finishes do not belong on outdoor stairs. The real slip risk on Northern Beaches stairs is shade, leaf litter and the green mould and lichen that grow on damp stone.
We think about drainage and sunlight when we design a stair, and we use a breathable penetrating sealer where it suits the stone. A stiff brush and an occasional clean with a stone-safe product keeps most stairs safe and looking good.
Sandstone Steps: our work
Recent sandstone steps by our team. Tap a photo to see it larger.
How we work
How we build sandstone steps
Site visit and measure
We measure the total rise and run, check access, drainage and ground conditions, and talk through stone and finish options.
Set out the flight
We calculate even risers and goings, mark out landings and confirm the design with you before work starts.
Footings and base
We excavate, cut rock where needed and pour footings or build a compacted base to suit the stair.
Lay the stone
Each tread and riser is cut, bedded in mortar and checked for level and fall, with joints kept tight and neat.
Finish and clean up
We point the joints, clean the stone, seal it if agreed and leave the site tidy.
What affects the cost of sandstone steps
Every stair is different, so we quote each job after a site visit rather than using a set price per step. These are the main things that affect the cost.
- Number and width of steps
- More steps and wider treads mean more stone and more cutting.
- Stone and finish
- Sawn treads, bullnose edges, recycled sandstone, bluestone and travertine all differ in price.
- Footings and rock
- Deep footings or cutting through sandstone bedrock add time and machinery.
- Curves and detail
- Curved stairs and rendered walls with coping take far more cutting and labour than straight flights.
- Access
- Steep side passages and sites without machine access mean stone is moved by hand.
- Existing stairs
- Removing old stairs, or cladding sound ones, changes the scope of the job.
Stair safety and the NCC
The NCC sets requirements for stairs serving a house, including riser and going limits, constant dimensions within a flight, slip resistance and handrails and barriers where a person could fall 1 m or more. We build to these requirements and will tell you where a handrail or balustrade is needed. Metal handrails are made by a fabricator, and we allow for their fixings in the stone.
Related projects
Sandstone Steps
Curved sandstone stairs and garden walls
A sweeping staircase of sawn sandstone treads between curved rendered walls, with curved sandstone garden walls and large-format paving in a harbourside garden.
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Sandstone Cladding
Sandstone-clad sunken courtyard
A sunken courtyard enclosed by sandstone-clad walls, with bluestone stairs dropping in from the level above and stepping pavers set in groundcover.
View projectSandstone Steps FAQs
How much do sandstone steps cost?
The cost of sandstone steps depends on the number and width of steps, the stone and edge finish, the footings, any rock cutting, curves and site access. Because these vary so much between Northern Beaches sites, we quote each stair after a site visit rather than giving a price per step. Call 0414 319 536 to arrange a free, no-obligation quote.
Can you put sandstone treads on my existing concrete stairs?
Yes, sandstone treads and risers can often be fixed over existing concrete stairs, as long as the stairs are structurally sound and the finished rises stay consistent. The stone adds height to each step, so we check the top and bottom levels and the door threshold first. If the old stairs are cracked or uneven, rebuilding may be the better option.
Are sandstone steps slippery when wet?
Sawn or textured sandstone steps have good natural grip, even when wet. The main slip risk on Northern Beaches stairs comes from leaf litter, moss, mould and lichen on shaded, damp stone. Keeping the steps swept, improving drainage and cleaning them with a stone-safe product keeps them safe. We avoid polished finishes on outdoor stairs.
What size should outdoor steps be?
For stairs serving a house, the National Construction Code sets limits on riser height and going depth and requires both to stay the same through each flight. Even rises are what make a stair feel comfortable and safe. When we build sandstone steps we set out the whole flight first, then work the step sizes to suit the levels and the code.
Do you build curved sandstone staircases?
Yes. We build curved staircases with sawn sandstone treads, often between curved rendered walls finished with sandstone coping. Each tread on a curve is cut to its own shape, so these stairs take more set-out and cutting than a straight flight. On a Northern Beaches or North Shore site visit we can talk through the layout, wall finish and tread options.
Can you repair or restore old sandstone steps?
Yes, we are often asked to restore old sandstone steps on the Northern Beaches. Worn or loose treads can be re-bedded, damaged stones replaced with matched or recycled sandstone, joints repointed and the stone cleaned without harsh pressure washing. Restoring sound old steps often costs less than replacing them and keeps their character.
Read before you build
8 min read
Do You Need Council Approval for a Retaining Wall on the Northern Beaches?
In NSW a retaining wall needs no approval only if it meets every exempt standard in the Codes SEPP: generally no more than 600 mm of cut or fill, at least 1 m from any boundary, 2 m from other retaining walls, 40 m from natural water, not on a heritage item and not redirecting water. Anything else needs a CDC or a DA with Northern Beaches Council.
Read the guide
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How Much Does a Sandstone Retaining Wall Cost in Sydney?
A sandstone retaining wall in Sydney is usually priced on the square metres of wall face, then adjusted for the block type, site access, rock in the footings, drainage, and any engineering and approval costs. Two quotes for the same wall can differ a lot because they include different things, so compare what each one covers before you compare the totals.
Read the guideMore from our stonemasons
Sandstone Retaining Walls
Sawn and rock-face sandstone block retaining walls, built on solid footings with proper drainage for Northern Beaches slopes.
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Sandstone Paving
Sawn sandstone flagging, pavers and random flagging, plus travertine and bluestone, for terraces, courtyards and paths.
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Sandstone Restoration
Sandstone repairs, lime mortar repointing, careful cleaning, sealing and stone replacement for old walls, steps and heritage stonework.
Learn moreWe work across the Northern Beaches and North Shore.