| $ Precast Concrete Steps: $800 - $3,5K | $ $ Poured-in-Place Concrete Steps: $1K - $5K |
There is a wide range of places where steps can be used, such as in a house, gardens, pools, apartments, and commercial buildings.
Steps not only serve a functional purpose, but they can also be the main element of the design of a particular area.
Even though several materials can be used when building steps, such as wood, steel, stone, and even glass, concrete is a great option to consider.
In the next few sections, we’ll discuss the most important facts about concrete steps, their advantages and disadvantages, and how much they cost.
Table of Contents
What Are Concrete Steps?
Concrete steps are exactly what the name says, they are steps made of concrete.
Specifically, concrete is a mixture of water, an aggregate that can be gravel, rock, or sand, and powdered cement.
Other elements can also be added to this mixture, depending on the type of steps needed, the style, and even color.
What Is the Difference Between Concrete and Cement?
There has been some confusion between these two terms, with people thinking they are the same type of material.
However, cement, as we have just seen, is a part of concrete.
Cement is composed of calcium and silica-rich materials, which makes it weaker than concrete.
Diverse types of cement can be found, as well as concrete, according to the use you want to give them, the look you prefer, and the area where they are going to be, outdoors or indoors.
Concrete is definitely a stronger and more resistant material for steps than cement and is able to last for decades.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Steps?
As we have just mentioned, the durability of concrete steps is certainly an advantage of using this material.
If the steps are well maintained and, depending on the area where they are located, they can last between 50 and 80 years.
Another advantage of using concrete to build steps is that they can be customized into different styles, designs, types of edges, colors, and other materials that can be added to change its appearance.
Concrete steps can also be used in a variety of settings but they are generally used for outdoor spaces because of their resistance to the elements.
A disadvantage of using concrete to build steps is the time it takes to cure after installation, which could take days.
Apart from this, building concrete steps requires intensive labor, depending on the area, the number of steps, the type of steps you choose, and the design.
The cost can also count as a disadvantage but if you consider how long these steps can last, it’s a great investment.
What Are the Types of Concrete Steps?
There are mainly two types of concrete steps: precast steps and poured-in-place steps.
Precast steps imply the use of a precast mold where concrete is poured.
There are numerous designs and types of steps that you can choose, according to your preferences and the area where they are going to be located.
Some of the advantages of using precast concrete steps are that they are built much faster than poured-in-place steps, they are less expensive and they also have a lower environmental impact.
Poured-in-place concrete steps are the most traditional type.
Contrary to precast steps, poured-in-place steps are built in the same place where they are going to be used.
This means that they will be more robust than precast steps and that it will be easier to add extra elements such as handrails.
A clear disadvantage is that these steps do take longer to cure, involve much more labor, and are also more expensive.
How Much Do Concrete Steps Cost?
Numerous elements can affect the cost of concrete steps, such as the area where you want to place them, the design and edges you choose, extra features that you want to add, and the type of steps you prefer.
In general, precast concrete steps can cost between $800 and $3,500, including materials and the installation.
Poured-in-place concrete steps are usually more expensive, costing from $1,000 to $5,000, with materials and installation.
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