Hello,
I am in the process of completely renovating the entrance steps. Some kind of construction of built-up lightweight concrete blocks with a surface of tar paper. On top of the tar paper, sand and concrete have been used. Granite blocks are placed on top, which I will eventually put back.
Two quick questions.
How do I attach the granite slabs to the stairs?
I'm considering two options.
1. Build up the last layer with fine concrete and place the granite stones directly on the "uncured" fine concrete to attach the granite that way.
2. Build up the last layer with fine concrete and let it cure. Then "glue on" the granite with some suitable stone adhesive.
What do you with expertise in masonry say? I think option 1 will be best and easiest, but will it last 30 years? Option 2 is difficult as the granite slabs are uneven underneath, making it hard to align them and achieve "edge-to-edge."
Bonus question, can I fill cavities with casting sand and pour a thin layer of concrete on top instead of filling the cavities with concrete?
Good answers and opinions would help me a lot. I would be immensely grateful. This is the first time I'm tackling an outdoor staircase.
(I didn’t get a clear answer at the hardware store)
Attaching pictures of the stairs and granite stone.
I am in the process of completely renovating the entrance steps. Some kind of construction of built-up lightweight concrete blocks with a surface of tar paper. On top of the tar paper, sand and concrete have been used. Granite blocks are placed on top, which I will eventually put back.
Two quick questions.
How do I attach the granite slabs to the stairs?
I'm considering two options.
1. Build up the last layer with fine concrete and place the granite stones directly on the "uncured" fine concrete to attach the granite that way.
2. Build up the last layer with fine concrete and let it cure. Then "glue on" the granite with some suitable stone adhesive.
What do you with expertise in masonry say? I think option 1 will be best and easiest, but will it last 30 years? Option 2 is difficult as the granite slabs are uneven underneath, making it hard to align them and achieve "edge-to-edge."
Bonus question, can I fill cavities with casting sand and pour a thin layer of concrete on top instead of filling the cavities with concrete?
Good answers and opinions would help me a lot. I would be immensely grateful. This is the first time I'm tackling an outdoor staircase.
(I didn’t get a clear answer at the hardware store)
Attaching pictures of the stairs and granite stone.
Answering myself then 😉T Tuff-Emil said:
After asking at three different building supply stores, googling (and lately starting to find my own question and pictures on this forum), I needed to get started so it gets done eventually.
I mixed a slightly wetter fine concrete, wetted the granite stones before my wife and I placed them directly on the fine concrete. Then we "surfed" and hopped on the stones so they settled pretty nicely with the right slope and alignment on the stairs.
Let's see how long the granite stones stay in place. Hoping for another 50 years.
I will seal the joints with "Flexible hard grout - Weed-inhibiting and curing joint sand." Hopefully, it works.
What's the alternative? Fine concrete?
If the stairs have already started to deteriorate by next summer, I'll write here. Then there will be a result 😂