How to build a base for Travertine stairs?

toffeeapple

Hi all,

I am putting stairs in instead of the stepping stones for our front yard and hoping to extend it to the door which means to change the current tiles to the same Travertine.

Would someone be able to assist in guiding me on the base work prior to and if it's best to lay timber sleepers as a base instead of concrete?

This is the inspiration 

   

MitchellMc

Hi @toffeeapple,

For the base work for your Travertine stairs, I would recommend creating concrete formwork in the shape of your stairs and using concrete to form the base. This will provide a solid and stable foundation for tiling over. 

Timber sleepers, while useful for some projects, aren't the best option here because timber expands and contracts with temperature and moisture changes, which could lead to tile movement, cracked grout, or even cracked tiles over time. Concrete will give you a much more reliable and long-lasting base for your Travertine stairs. 

Before pouring the concrete, it’s essential to prepare the soil properly to ensure a solid foundation. Start by removing any loose debris, vegetation, or existing materials in the area where you’ll be laying the concrete. Then, level the soil to create a stable surface. If the soil is soft or loose, consider compacting it with a plate compactor to make it firm. For added stability, you might want to lay a gravel base (around 50-100mm deep) and compact it before pouring the concrete. This will help with drainage and prevent the soil from shifting over time. Once the soil is properly prepared and compacted, you can proceed with the formwork and concrete pouring.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell