Need advice on building some steps

[dabiz7]

Hello!
Great forum, very interesting info, it has helped alot during our granite c/top install.
Now, i have another project.
I want to build some stone steps at my front outside entry. Currently, there is a concrete slab porch that extends the length of the front of the house. House has red brick exterior.

The front door threshhold is about 6-1/2 to 7 inches above the concrete. I am thinking I need only one step. My image is to build a semi-circle stone step centered around the door. I am thinking it would extend out maybe 24" or less. I am thinking about using some slate blocks from my local stone yard.

My question, do I have to use mortar to join these pcs of stone together? Could I just use liquid nails or some other outdoor rated silicone adhesve to attach the pcs together to keep them from moving? I would think the heavy weight of the stone would be plenty to kep them in place. Am I way off here?

i was wondering if someone makes a sanded silicone caulk in a dark slte color that I could use to join the pcs together.

I am obviously a stone building newbie here, if I am way off, a little advice in getting me headed int he right direction is appreciated.

thanks!

[Topshop]

I would think you could find a slate slab you could cut with a diamond blade to the circular shape and have the top one piece. I wuld use an outdoor rated mortar or an epoxy type adhesive - some silicone types of adhesives may stain the stone and make it odd colors.

Test on a small piece before installing.

	epoxy EPOXY A two part resin with superior adhesion properties used for joining and filling stone. Also used for grouting stone and tile.

[hoboal]

Dabiz7, Have you consider using Flamed Granite for the this project? When i was in NY (Midtown) in May with Huligar and the rest of the guys i notice tons of flamed grainte on the exterior sidewalks. I would think this would be a excellent choice using this stone. Theres a product called T-2000 or exterior verison maybe you might be able to use for the addhives, i would only use epoxy grout for your joints.

	epoxy EPOXY A two part resin with superior adhesion properties used for joining and filling stone. Also used for grouting stone and tile.

	grout GROUT The material used to fill in the joints between stone tile. Grout can be cement or plastic resins.

[dabiz7]

That color is exactly what i was looking for !!!!
Any ideas for a supplier in southwest Ohio?

Was wondering, since the front is completely protected by the porch roof, do I really need to fill the joint between the blocks? If I just glued them down, there shouldn't be any concern about the wether pushing them apart?

I think I need to spend an hour at my stone yard and look at some samples

[Huligar]

If you do not, the joints will act as traps for dirt and water.

[hoboal]

Thats a great idea going to your local stone yard looking around and asking alot of question. Installation will be very importance in your part of the country due to very cold winters and hot and rainy days in the summer.... As Huligar suggested use epoxy grout in the joint for this project, you'll be glad you did.

	epoxy EPOXY A two part resin with superior adhesion properties used for joining and filling stone. Also used for grouting stone and tile.

	grout GROUT The material used to fill in the joints between stone tile. Grout can be cement or plastic resins.

[cheesedog]

if you have freeze/thaw conditions i would not recomment epoxy grout, because it will not have enough play. the stone, and the entire assembly will expand and contract enough to break the grout loose. they make an expansion joint filling material that you can mix with silica sand to make it look like sanded grout, but it is very flexible and should hold up. its specifically designed to stay together when the expansion joints move on stone, concrete etc.

	epoxy EPOXY A two part resin with superior adhesion properties used for joining and filling stone. Also used for grouting stone and tile.

	grout GROUT The material used to fill in the joints between stone tile. Grout can be cement or plastic resins.

[Huligar]

I have seen someone just use sand. It had look real cool, I just do not understand how they kept the sand in place.

[hoboal]

There are companies out there that make a exterior two part epoxy specific for cold weather climates which will allow the joints expand and contract at -5 degree. Heres one Australian company ( constructionsupply.com.au/members/colmark_sa/CMI_Bostik.pdf ) that has the product. Granted you'll need a skill craftsman to due the application and you'll pay top dollar for the service, but when it come to maintenance and keeping moisture from seeping under the stone, it the only way to go.

	epoxy EPOXY A two part resin with superior adhesion properties used for joining and filling stone. Also used for grouting stone and tile.

[Huligar]

I would just contact bonstone and see what they have for this job.