How to build steps out of sleepers in 3 minutes

Durable, strong and versatile by nature, the way you use timber sleepers in your garden will depend entirely on your space, design and needs. Available in a wealth of shapes and sizes, sleepers are a great landscaping choice as they form the riser and tread of each step without the need for many additional materials.
Try using sleepers to maximise their width and length as a simple step up or down to grass or build frames to maximise the height, creating deep steps with a gentle slope.
Once you’ve decided on your design, it’s a good idea to draw up a plan and work out the dimensions of your steps for the materials you’ll need. To work out the number of steps you’ll need, divide the total height of your incline by the riser height of your sleeper. You can also find a number of handy tread-to-riser conversion calculators online, which will give you suggested dimensions for comfortable stairs. It’s best to keep the rise of your steps as consistent as possible, but you may find that the tread varies a little depending on your space.
Sleepers are best cut at home with a circular saw, so it’s worth creating a cutting list to reduce waste and make the process as streamlined as possible.
As sleeper steps are partially submerged, we recommend using hardwood sleepers for their long life and durability against decay. If you choose to use softwood sleepers which are a more budget-friendly option, we recommend treating the timber with suitable finishes and maintaining the wood as necessary to prevent wear.
Preparing and cutting the sleepers
Once you have your design and materials ready, you can begin preparing your build area. We think it’s a good idea to mark out the entire space for your steps using marking paint or a chalk measuring out tool along with wooden stakes for accurate levels.
If you’re laying a sleeper length in place as a simple step, it’s not always necessary to submerge the timber, however, for two or more steps you should dig suitable trenches to support your build.
Depending on the height of your steps, you may choose to set the first frame in a concrete footing.
Depending on how many steps you’re building, you should excavate a shallow trench at a time, laying each frame for a bespoke fit. You may either choose to excavate soil at either side of your step so the sides of your frame slot into the earth; or use your shovel to excavate the soil, shaping rough stairs that the frames will then sit on.
Whether you’re building simple steps or a rising frame of stairs, you’ll need to cut your sleepers to size. Ensure you are wearing protective workwear, then measure, mark and scribe each sleeper with a quick square before cutting to size with your circular saw. For any unreachable centre sections that your saw can’t reach, you can use a universal handsaw. If you’re building curved steps, you’ll need to measure and cut the side lengths, so they are bespoke to your space.
To join the step frames you’ll need to create a U shape, securing two of the right-angled corners with at least two timber fixings. We recommend using heavy-duty exterior timber screws for garden landscaping. Make sure you choose fixings that are approximately a 1/3 longer than the depth of your sleepers, so they sufficiently enter the join for a secure hold. If you choose to work with hardwood sleepers you will need to pilot each fixing hole first and use stainless steel timber screws to avoid natural tannin corrosion.
For added protection against rot and decay, we recommend generously brushing cut ends and untreated timber with wood preserver before leaving to dry.
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[@astorganodoterrivel721]

Great job

[@samfaxi]

What are those black stuff covering the ground on two sides of the stairs? is it just black pebbles?

[@k13ehr]

Saw a couple of your shorts so came to the channel but just more shorts, please do proper videos as the building content looks better than some other channels, but too much framelapse make them unpleasant to watch.

[@marye2815]

This has nothing to do with this video.
I couldn’t find the video short on you saying no one remembers you when you die and are put in the ground.
So not true. My husband died 11 years ago and I mourn him everyday.

[@youubik]

I hope you have peace