Concrete stairs offer durability, low maintenance and customization options that make them an excellent choice for outdoor applications. To decide if concrete stairs are right for your project, consider your budget, aesthetic preferences and the climate in your area. However, concrete stairs do come with some drawbacks, including cost and potential cracking. Let’s consider both advantages and disadvantages of concrete to make a right decision.
Pros Of Concrete Outdoor Stairs
Concrete is renowned for its strength and durability. It can withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow and intense sunlight, without deteriorating or rotting. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor stairs that are exposed to the elements.
Once properly installed, concrete stairs require minimal maintenance. Occasional cleaning and sealing can keep them looking great for years. They are also resistant to pests, such as termites, which can be a problem with wooden stairs.
Concrete can be molded into various shapes and sizes, allowing for customization to match your specific design preferences. You can choose from a variety of finishes and colors to complement your home’s aesthetics. Besides, concrete perfectly matches contemporary and minimalist outdoor spaces bringing that clean aesthetic.
With proper care, concrete stairs can last for decades, often outlasting other materials like wood or metal. This longevity can provide a good return on investment over time.
Concrete is inherently fire-resistant, which is crucial for outdoor stairs that may be exposed to wildfire risks or nearby open flames.
A terraced garden with concrete garden beds and stairs is a modern solution for a small backyard, thanks to the various levels it can provide much more space.
A light-colored concrete staircase stands out in the backdrop of black mulch and some greenery around it will grow and cover this space with time.
A pre-cast concrete staircase is always a nice and budget-friendly idea, lining it up with rocks, gravel and greenery it helps to incorporate it into the landscape.
A sturdy concrete staircase with an edgy look softened with grasses, blooms and lit up with small outdoor lamps.
Tall black garden planters with shrubs, a recast concrete staircase and a green lawn create a contemporary and clean look in the garden.
Brushed precast concrete steps add interest and texture to the side yard, and a green lawn softens its look.
A side yard with light-colored concrete steps and ornamental grasses along them compose a modern scenery.
Floating concrete steps buried into green lawn, trees, bamboo create a super modern and edgy look with plenty of style.
You can always soften the look of your concrete steps with some groundcovers or shrubs like that in between.
Concrete stairs, concrete raised garden beds with lights, shrubs and greenery add curb appeal to the house and make the yard look stylish.
A concrete staircase is refreshed with a whole succulent garden growing between the steps and along them.
A refined modern floating concrete staircase paired with glass banister, with lights and white pebbles to form a chic and beautiful yard.
A desert space done with creatively arranged concrete steps with lights, lots of succulents, rocks and some trees.
A modern tropical garden with a concrete staircase that is perfect for such climate conditions, greenery and tall bamboo.
Concrete steps don't bring much texture but you may add wood, grass and various rocks and plants to them them look cooler.
Concrete stairs accented with bright mini succulents between the steps, with ornamental grasses long them.
Concrete stairs with built-in planters are surrounded by lush greenery, including various types of plants and shrubs.
A modern terrace yard with black metal garden beds and grasses finished off with precast concrete stairs, with lights, a metal railing and pebbles along them.
Concrete stairs with a built-in bench can match a modern or minimalist space, and red brick edging will add color and interest to the design.
Concrete steps sinking in lush greenery look stylish and modern and perfectly match the exterior of the house.
Cons Of Concrete Outdoor Stairs
Concrete stairs can be more expensive to install compared to some other materials, such as wood. The cost can vary depending on factors like design complexity and location. Still, you can DIY such stairs using some tutorials on the web, and that won’t cost you much.
While concrete is durable, it can develop cracks over time due to settling, freeze-thaw cycles or shifting in the ground. Proper construction techniques and reinforcement can mitigate this issue.
Concrete stairs can become slippery when wet, which can be a safety concern. To address this, non-slip additives or textured finishes can be applied.
Concrete stair construction can take longer compared to some other materials. It often involves setting up forms, allowing for curing time and finishing work, which can extend the project timeline.
A minimalist backyard featuring concrete steps and edging, rocks and dark mulch, greenery along the steps is clean and chic.
Floating concrete steps accented with green shrubs along them are a cool idea for a contemporary or minimalist outdoor space.
A terraced garden of concrete, with raised flower beds and steps, with shrubs and greenery of various kinds.
A lush modern landscape with lots of greenery and shrubs and a light-colored concrete and gravel staircase that stands out.
A green thicket, a precast concrete staircase and a green lawn are a great combo for a modern and sophisticated garden.
A concrete terraced garden with raised flower beds, lights, steps and lots of various greenery, blooms and shrubs.
A bright garden with lots of greenery and colorful flowers, a precast concrete staircase, metal railing and a candle lantern looks magical.
A minimalist concrete terraced garden with raised flower beds, steps, metal railing and some greenery and bright foliage.
A simple and durable concrete staircase with built-in lights and metal railing will always be a nice solution for most outdoor spaces.
These creatively arranged concrete steps add interest and geometry to the garden, and small green grass will grow out to create a landscape around them.
Curved concrete stairs accented with rocks and greenery are amazing for a modern garden, and this curve adds interest here.
This concrete staircase is DIY and it's made using just one mold, this is a very budget-friendly idea.
A modern floating concrete staircase lined up with bold blooms and grasses and some trees is a nice idea for a front or backyard.
Floating concrete stairs with greenery and blooms along them are a perfect match for a contemporary facade of the house.
Floating concrete steps will built-in lights will add style and make walking comfortable and safe at any time.
A gravel path lined up with ornamental grasses and finishing in a concrete staircase with a planter on top for a modern garden.
Light-colored concrete stands out in the backdrop of the black house facade and matches the white wall.
A simple poured concrete staircase is accented with white edging and succulents in the garden beds along the stairs.
Poured-in-place concrete steps are a budget-friendly idea, here they are lined up with grasses and greenery.
Precast concrete stairs with metal railings and with lush greenery, shrubs and rocks along them to make them a chic and stylish part of the landscape.
A sleek concrete staircase wth shrubs and lamps along it is a cool solution for a contemporary or minimalist space.