Building internal steps

[Overthefence]

Hi, I’m looking for some recommendations on the best method for building some steps between two levels in a walkway inside my house.

 

The two levels have a 78cm differential and are both hard surfaced (approx 50mm screed with underfloor heating pipes).

 

I’ll align with the regs and have 4/5 steps with appropriate tread and riser dimensions. And I’ll be finishing the floor and steps with c20mm limestone flagstones so that it all ties together.

 

My question is what do I build the step construction out of? Do I build the steps to be solid blocks/bricks? Or is that too much weight on the 50mm screed? Or just wasteful? Or is it better to create a skeleton of blocks and lay concrete boards or similar across to from the base for the treads? Will that be strong enough? And if so, any tips on the spacing between blocks and thickness of boards? 
 

Any advice would be gratefully received. 

 

Ignore the row of bricks at the top level of my picture- those were just to retain the screed pour and will be removed. You can see the UFH pipes running between the two levels. 

 

Thanks
 

 

[ETC]

Timber.

[JamesP]

 I made these timber steps for an 80cm differential as a stop gap but still in use today. 

Will need better support in the middle to stop creaking before being finished in limestone to match hall.

Or might remove and do blockwork.

Its on the list.

 

[Overthefence]

Thanks for the responses. I had assumed timber wouldn’t be a good option because I’m laying stone flags on top and the potential for movement, and temperature changes from the underfloor heating?
 

@JamesP if you rebuild with block how would you go about that? Would you make it solid? I’m not sure if  the weight would be problematic on top of my screed

[Dave Jones]

use morter will be fine. seen a pallet of blocks on top of screed before with no issues.

[JamesP]

1 hour ago, Overthefence said:

Thanks for the responses. I had assumed timber wouldn’t be a good option because I’m laying stone flags on top and the potential for movement, and temperature changes from the underfloor heating?
 

@JamesP if you rebuild with block how would you go about that? Would you make it solid? I’m not sure if  the weight would be problematic on top of my screed

I do not think weight would be an issue so would probably make 5 sets of blockwork steps, we have 70mm screed with UFH on top of 150mm Celotex then 100mm concrete. I am only a self builder not a professional.

[JamesP]

4 hours ago, Overthefence said:

Thanks for the responses. I had assumed timber wouldn’t be a good option because I’m laying stone flags on top and the potential for movement, and temperature changes from the underfloor heating?
 

@JamesP if you rebuild with block how would you go about that? Would you make it solid? I’m not sure if  the weight would be problematic on top of my screed

Next thought, as these timber steps have been in place for 4 years I just need to improve the support underneath and would then use tile adhesive to fix tiles.

[Overthefence]

Thanks for the replies. I was originally thinking timber wouldn’t make a good permanent solution due to the potential for movement/ the need for airflow. But would avoid issues with too much weight on the screed- last thing I want is for it to crack!

 

Anyone got other construction ideas? Or anyone else think the weight from blocks will be fine??

 

[kandgmitchell]

How about thermalite or celcon? They weigh next to nothing. The steps will not be solid per se surely, form hollow "boxes" and span the internal spaces with the limestone flags

[joe90]

Concrete blocks either side spanned with concrete lintels 🤷‍♂️

[Oz07]

Use aircrete blocks or lightweight conc if worried about weight