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.

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.

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.

Their sheer size can be supplemented by a simple locking mechanism, such as a built-in lip on the bottom, to ensure a solidly built wall.

Getting started

Whether you’re looking to build a retaining wall or a raised garden area the same basic materials are needed

• The stones themselves
• 1/2” gravel
• Landscaping fabric

If you’ve never built an armour stone wall before, you will benefit greatly from the assistance of a contractor. The calculations and precise placement can be a bit tricky, and a well-versed professional can take all the guesswork out of it.

Here’s a breakdown of what your contractor will be doing will be doing step by step:

• Working with you to determine the desired height of the wall and calculating the number and size of stones required.
• Digging a trench twice the width and to the required depth for a proper foundation.
• Laying down the landscaping fabric. This vital step keeps plants and weeds from growing under the wall and pushing it out of level.
• Installing the gravel base. It will be at least 2” deep depending on how high your wall will be. The contractor will ensure the base is level with some sort of compacting device.
• The armour stones are stacked one on top of the other. They will likely be set with each tone slightly behind the other so that the lip built into them can lock into one another when the ground pushes forward against them. The weight of the armour stone itself, this lip, and the angle of incline are what keep the wall in place and the ground held back.

A retaining wall adds structure and formality to your landscape, just be sure it’s designed, installed, and maintained correctly.

Got more questions?

Do you have more questions about armour stone or retaining walls? Contact a Grand River Stone expert today!

The post Using Armour Stone to Build a Retaining Wall appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.