In this guide, you’ll learn how to measure total rise, size safe and comfortable treads, prep a stable, well‑drained base, and set each step course so the whole staircase stays tight for decades.  

Why Choose Natural Stone Steps? 

Natural stone offers durability, weight‑based stability on slopes, and timeless curb appeal that blends with Ontario’s native limestone, sandstone and granite landscapes. Properly sourced natural step units are milled or hand‑dressed for consistent heights yet retain authentic texture that wears in (rather than wears out) over decades.  

Overall, it will last longer than timber or poured concrete and look stunning in any landscape design. 

Plan Your Staircase (Rise, Run, Layout & Drainage) 

Measure the total vertical change (rise) where your steps will go. Divide by a comfortable riser height, such as 6 to 8 inches, and round so each course is consistent. Pair that with a tread (the front‑to‑back depth you step on) of 12 to 16 inches; this range is commonly used in landscape construction across Canada and conforms to local building codes.  

Stake or paint the stair alignment so you can visualize width, landings and transitions to adjacent walks or patios and share the layout with your contractor. 

Also, good drainage matters! Choose a line that already sheds water or can be graded so meltwater and rain move off and around the steps and not behind them.  

Tools & Materials 

You’ll need:  

• Tape measure 

• Stakes & string or landscape marking paint 

• Flat shovel 

• Square shovel/spade 

• Digging/pry bar 

• Wheelbarrow 

• Hand tamper (plate compactor if available) 

• Long level or laser level 

• Safety gear: gloves, steel‑toe boots, eye protection 

For the foundation, use a well‑compacted granular base such as ¾” crusher‑run (Granular A) or, in drainage‑sensitive sites, an open‑graded clear stone base over a permeable landscape fabric.  

Skip polymeric sand as solid natural step blocks do not require joint fill and skip adhesives unless you are marrying stone to concrete or coping details that call for it.  

Step‑by‑Step Installation 

1. Excavate & Shape the Slope 

Strip sod and loose topsoil down to firm subgrade along the full stair path. Start at the bottom so you can build upward on stable ground.  

2. Establish the First Base Pad 

Excavate a trench for the first step that’s wider and deeper than the stone thickness. Install geotextile if the soils are silty or you’re building an open‑graded base. Place 4 to 6 inches of compacted aggregate (crusher‑run or clear stone, depending on drainage) and level. Adequate compaction now prevents settlement later. 

3. Set the First Stone Riser 

 Place your lowest step stone on the prepared base. Level side‑to‑side; pitch very slightly (about 1/8 inch per foot) back or forward as site drainage dictates, so water doesn’t sit on the tread. Shim with stone chips if needed.  

4. Backfill & Build Upward 

After confirming the first stone is solid, backfill behind it with compacted aggregate to support the next riser.  

Repeat. 

Excavate the seat for the next stone, install compacted base, set stone, check level and pitch. Consistent riser heights reduce trip risk, so use your pre‑calculated rise to guide each course. 

5. Blend Into Grade 

When the top course is in, backfill and feather surrounding soil into the stone edges, reseed disturbed lawn, or tie into adjoining walkways or landings. Allow the installation to settle naturally; re‑tamp disturbed side fills after heavy rain if needed.  

Drainage & Frost‑Heave Protection 

Ontario’s seasons demand drainage. Extend your compacted base at least several inches behind and beneath each stone so water can move through the aggregate rather than trapping against the back of a riser.  

In wetter slopes, consider a perforated drain wrapped in fabric behind the step run to carry water away. Adequate drainage dramatically reduces winter heave and uneven settling.  

Finishing Touches  

Brush off debris, confirm each tread surface offers secure footing, and consider adding low‑voltage step lighting or path lights along the approach for nighttime safety. Integrate planting pockets or boulders to soften edges and tie the stairs into the surrounding landscape.  

Seasonal Care (No Sealing Required) 

Natural stone steps generally do not need film‑forming sealers; many installers leave them unsealed so the stone can breathe and maintain natural traction. Instead, focus on basic maintenance: sweep grit, rinse mud, and remove organics that hold moisture; re‑grade washed‑out side soils; and reset any stones that shift after freezing cycles or heavy use. Use non‑acidic, stone‑safe cleaners only when needed.  

When to Call a Pro 

Some stone stair projects cross the line from weekend DIY to jobs best left to the experts. Here’s when a contractor should be involved: 

• Heavy lifting: Individual step stones over ~300 lb (many full‑depth natural units are) require proper rigging, machinery, and experience to place safely. 

• Complex builds: Curved runs, integrated retaining walls, terraced slopes, drainage tie‑ins, or code‑required railings call for professional layout and equipment. 

Get help fast! Grand River Natural Stone can connect you with trusted Landscape Ontario‑certified contractors who work with natural stone every day. Let us know what you’re planning. 

Ready to Build Stunning Natural Stone Steps? 

Bring your measurements to Grand River Natural Stone. Our team can help you choose the right Ontario‑sourced stone materials, calculate quantities, arrange delivery, and connect you with experienced installers if the stones are too heavy to handle solo. Build steps that look great, feel safe and last for decades with Grand River Natural Stone. 

Contact us today with any questions. 

The post How to Install Stone Steps: A DIY Guide for Ontario Homeowners  appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

Adding landscaping lighting to your patio or backyard is a great way to add enjoyment to your outdoor living spaces and boost the value of your home too. Before you start installing these illuminating landscape accessories, you should become familiar with some of the basics of outdoor lighting.

Where to put landscaping lighting

As you plan your outdoor lighting set-up, there are two things you should keep in mind:

• Areas which need to be lit (such as walkways)
• Places you’d like to illuminate (like a landscaping rock garden)

While there are many fixture to choose from the majority of professional outdoor landscape lighting is 12V-15V, which is considered low voltage lighting.

Wait until it’s dark, and then…

When nightfall hits, take a drive around your neighbourhood and note the houses which are well-lit. What do they have? What type of lights are they using? Where did they place them? After you get home, grab a flashlight and walk around your own property. It’ll give you a sense of what things will look like when they’re illuminated.

You can also position your flashlight at certain angles, such as:

• Downward
• Upward
• Straight-on
• Off-centre

To mimic the lighting effect you’d like to achieve.

What type of landscape lights to choose?

Grand River Natural Stone carries a wide range of In-Lite landscape lighting styles for you to choose from, including:

• Wall accent lights: To be mounted on vertical surfaces such as; partitions, fences, walls or front entry ways. Just make sure they’re not too blinding when you or visitors approach or pass by.

• Pathway lighting: These are low-voltage lights designed to brighten up a walkway by throwing pools of light downward.

• Spotlights: If you have a small, specific area you want to showcase (like a birdbath or water feature), use a narrow-beam spotlight.

• In-ground lights: Just as their name implies, these lights are inset into the ground and provide an accent to walkways or driveways.

Questions you should ask any landscaping lighting contractor

You’ve selected the lighting you want. You know what areas you want to brighten (such as flagstone walkways, interlocking paver paths or stone steps).

Now it’s time to hire a contractor for installing the low voltage lighting system.

As you do your research, make sure you ask the following questions.

1. Do you use a multi-tap transformer?

A majority of outdoor lighting projects used LED bulbs. Using a multi-tap transformer is the best way to maximize their performance because:

• They can control voltage drop (that’s when some lights burn brighter than others)
• It extends the lifespan of your outdoor light system
• Multi-tap transformers are designed for long wire run installations

While asking about multi-tap transformers, don’t forget to ask about what fuse protection system your contractor will install to protect your outdoor lights from shortages, outages or power surges

2. Are your fixtures and transformers UL listed?

The industry standard is to use products which are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed. Products which don’t feature the UL logo mean they haven’t been tested for safety.

You (and your contractor) won’t know how they’ll perform in the rain, heat, snow, wind and other weather conditions they’ll eventually be exposed to. Non-UL products may cost you less in the short-term, but here’s something to consider:

If they cause an electrical fire, your home insurance policy may not cover the cost of the resulting damage. Should you have any doubts about the products your contractor plans on using, ask to see their catalogue and UL certification stamps beforehand.

3. How will you bury the wiring?

Two things you don’t want with your landscape lighting wires:

• Your lawn, topsoil and aggregates to be torn up during burial
• Exposed wires sitting above ground

A skilled landscape lighting contractor will be mindful of regular lawn & garden activities (like cutting the grass or kids playing on it) when installing your system.

If necessary, they’ll create a very small trench in which to bury the wires. Once they’re inserted, that trench is closed up. And if the wire is buried near a very sensitive area (like, say a children’s playset), the contractor will use a conduit to protect the line.

Need help brightening up your property? Come to Grand River Natural Stone

You have beautiful outdoor living spaces which look great in the day. Now it’s time to bring out that beauty at night with a custom outdoor lighting system.

Whether you need products, design advice or technical information, Grand River Natural Stone is your source for all things landscape lighting.

You can start by asking for a FREE quote (or anything else you want to know). Our in-house landscape lighting experts will get back to you quickly to discuss your particular needs.

The post Landscaping Lighting 101 appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

From large buildings and bridges to backyard stone pathways and retaining walls, natural stone has been used for its versatility and reliability.

Plus, natural stone outperforms other materials time and again.

Why? Well, natural stone has a low environmental impact, it’s extremely durable with little maintenance, and it has a timeless beauty and grandeur.

1. Low Environmental Impact

Natural stone is made from nature, by nature. This means it requires no chemicals, pollutants, and releases no hazardous gases like other building materials do.

Plus, no energy is needed to manufacture stone—only quarrying and processing.

Natural stone is as “green” as it gets.

2. Easy Maintenance

Stone requires very little maintenance and care to keep it beautiful.

While other building materials need to be regularly painted, stained or sealed, natural stone doesn’t. It creates its own natural patina, which naturally enhances its beauty over time.

You, like your clients, want to spend time enjoying your home’s landscaping. Not maintaining it. That’s why natural stone is so great.

Typically, regular sweeping is all that’s needed to keep your natural stone beautiful for years to come.

3. Strong and Durable

Natural stone is one of the most popular building materials for its durability and resistance to damage. Plus, it’s a long-lasting material that you most likely will never have to replace.

What else makes stone the strongest and most durable choice?

• It doesn’t rot
• It is resistant to pests
• Fireproof
• Less susceptible to frost damage
• Small chips and damage are difficult to spot

4. Timeless and Versitile

Natural stone retains its natural beauty and has a much longer lifespan than its building counterparts (concrete, brick, etc).

Stone never goes out of style and can look just as stunning after 100 years, as the day it was installed.

Plus, since it’s a natural material, it blends seamlessly with outdoor surroundings and its colours and textures vary naturally. Stone can be resurfaced in many ways to match any style and ambiance, and it can be cut into any shape or size for any application.

5. Great in All Seasons

Unlike other landscaping materials, natural stone is consistent through temperature changes.

Common building materials, such as wood and cement, expand and contract throughout the changing seasons. This can cause major damage and warping. Meanwhile, natural stone remains consistent through even the harshest Canadian climates.

How can you make sure your stone is safe throughout the Canadian winter?

• Remove snow from stone and interlocking pavers before it melts—Once snow melts and water seeps into the cracks in your stone, it will freeze in the cracks causing your stone to expand and warp.
• Seal your natural stone in the fall—Prevent damages before they happen by having your hardscaping sealed in the fall months.
• Be cautious with snow shoveling—Metal show snovels can scratch your natural stone or pavers, and it can even scrape off sealant. Try using a snow blower or plastic snow shovel instead.

Let Us Help With Your Stonework

Grand River Natural Stone has the tools to make your home beautiful throughout the year, so trust us with all of your landscaping needs.

For more information about our services, give us a call or visit us!

The post 5 Reasons Why Stone Outperforms Other Materials appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

A prominent manufacturer of interlocking pavers is Unilock. For the past 40 years, Unilock has been leading the landscaping industry when it comes to style and durability. It’s no secret, then, that Unilock has been the stone of choice for many homeowners and contractors in Southwestern Ontario.

Their latest addition to an already impressive product lineup is Unilock Endura-Color, which are available in two separate product lines:

• Unilock Endura-Color
• Unilock Endura-Color Plus

Grand River Natural Stone is proud to carry both Unilock Endura-Color product lines. If you’re interested in bringing Unilock to your home, simply contact us and tell us about your project.

Want to know more about the Unilock Endura-Color lines? Then keep reading.

Unilock Endura-Color

Unilock Endura-Color is an exceptionally strong interlocking paver with long-lasting colour that won’t fade over time, nor with exposure to the elements.

Exceptionally versatile, Unilock Endura-Color landscaping supplies can be used in all sorts of projects:

• Driveways
• Walkways
• Patios
• Pool decks

Unilock Endura-Color pavers are:

• Artline: Featuring long, clean lines, Artline pavers can help you create a minimalist design which will never go out of style

• Beacon Hill Flagstone: Natural in appearance, Beacon Hill Flagstone features soft colours and subtle surface design

• Bristol Valley: With a gentle surface texture and muted colours, Bristol Valley creates a modern look that’s timeless

• Il Campo: Each Il Campo paver is made with unique surface lines, so no two are alike, giving you almost unlimited design pattern options

• Northshore: As sturdy as its name, Northshore’s combination of natural beauty and rugged performance ensures that it’s built to last

• Promenade Paver: With long and narrow lines, Promenade Paver is ideal for linear designs which result in a sleek, precise pattern

• Thornbury: Ideal for standard and permeable installations, Thornbury features a moderately textured surface and a variety of sizes to create a random look

Unilock Endura-Color Plus

Unilock Endura-Color Plus sets a new standard for everlasting beauty.

A mix of modern construction and old-school charm, Unilock Endura-Color Plus will endure for generations.

Just as robust as Unilock Endura-Color, the catalogue of this product line can be used anywhere, for any project, and will look just as good many years from the day it was first installed.

• Belpasso: Non-slip, stain-resistant and durable, Belpasso is perfect for high-traffic areas like patios or driveways

• Copthorne: Old-world elegance meets new-age technology with Copthorne, a lovely interlocking paver that’s virtually indestructible

• Courtstone: Made for driveways, Courtstone is designed to look like European cobblestones with incredible strength

• Richcliff: As classy as its name, Richcliff instantly adds a touch of refined grace to your project and will not split, crack or fade

• Series 3000: Very versatile, Series 3000 can be used for driveways, walkways and more with a unique look caused by surface granite particles pressed into the stone itself

• Town Hall: Able to handle traditional and permeable installation methods, Town Hall features a historical, weathered appearance

• Umbriano: With the natural look and feel of granite, Umbriano features clean, sharp lines and is extremely resistant to chlorine, salt pool water or winter salt de-icers

Grand River Natural Stone is your source for Unilock Endura-Color

Whatever your landscaping project is, there’s a Unilock Endura-Color option that will give it that extra design touch.

Grand River Natural Stone is Southwestern Ontario’s premier source for Unilock Endura-Color. Our pros can help you with every aspect of your project, from conception to paving stone selection to installation.

Get us to work for you and get Unilock Endura-Color for your outdoor design project.

Contact us today to discuss your project and what Unilock Endura-Color can do to enhance it.

The post Introducing the Unilock Endura-Color Product Lineup appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

With the market being flooded with options it can be hard to choose.

Keep it simple and look at these two key considerations and you’ll have a pool that looks great and is safe to use.

The first concern should be safety. If you have children and friends over there will be nothing that ruins a fun summer evening quicker than an injury. You should choose a pool coping material that is slip resistant for the inevitably wet hands and feet using them to get a grip on.

A material that is absorbent or pre-cast is ideal. Nearly every style, colour, design, and material can be found in a non slip finish. Be sure to look carefully and read the manufacturers claims for each. Ask your local distributor for their opinion on what has worked for other customers in the past.

Affordability will also be high on the list. If you can’t afford it you can’t buy it! Higher priced options include limestone, granite, and flagstone. More affordable, but just as appealing and safe, are materials such as bull nose pavers, concrete and pool liners. Bull nose pavers come in a wide variety of colours such as bronze, carob and ebony, and many patterns that lead to a professional looking finish.

Travertine is a type of limestone that can also look great and be affordable. For the true look of pool coping stones you should go with one of the stone options presented. They go especially well with an interlocking paver walkway or surround built around them.

Contact us today to discover the best coping stone option for your pool!

Photo credit to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnoldmasonryandconcrete/

The post Choosing the Best Pool Coping Stones appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

The term patio stones is a broad catch all for many types of outdoor building materials. The phrase can include flagstone and natural rock, brick and concrete pavers. The pros, cons and best location for each will be laid out at so you may judge which is best for your patio, walkway, or driveway project.

Flagstone and other natural stone

Pros and cons: Local stone will cost less and be more friendly to the environment due to lower emissions used during shipping. Once you have a good installation of natural stone set up it has excellent durability and requires little to no maintenance. The main drawback is the cost of shipping it to your house from the store, and the installation is highly demanding labour wise.

Best Location: Around pools, accents along a driveway, walkways up to your door, porches

Brick

Pros and cons: There is no other look that is as old-world charming as a well set up brick patio or walkway. The porous nature of bricks makes it ideal for walking as it is low slip. A potential drawback is the shifting of bricks over time.

This can lead to trip hazards and difficulty shoveling snow off of it.

Best location: Patios, paths in and around a garden, deck or fountain surrounds, driveways, the deck of your pool

Concrete Pavers

Pros and cons: Their interlocking design is an improvement on bricks, it leads them to be less likely to shift up and down. Concrete pavers are easy to repair, simply pull up broken ones and replace them with spares. They are not prone to cracking like a solid concrete slab will do. They can be a lot of work to get down, but are well worth the effort.

Best Location: Patios, around a pool, paths in and around a garden, driveways, the area around your pool

This has been a basic look at the building materials available. The options for patio stones to build your deck or walkway with are nearly endless.

The post A Buyers Guide for Patio Stones appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.