WHY ROCKSTEP? • SIMPLE, QUICK INSTALLATIONS • BEAUTIFUL & DURABLE STONE LOOK • NO HEAVY EQUIPMENT REQUIRED • WIDE CHOICE OF SIZES, COLORS • CONSISTENT 6 INCH RISE (HEIGHT) • CONSISTENT LEVEL, FLAT SURFACES • MINIMAL YARD DISTURBANCE • NO MATERIAL WASTE • THE LOOK & FEEL OF NATURAL STONE WITHOUT THE EXTRA LABOR COST AND HASSLE
NATURAL STONE BEAUTY
RockSteps are sculpted from natural stone, which creates a very realistic look for your landscaping design project. The natural appearance mirrors the texture, depth and color found in real stone.
“We are very happy with RockSteps. The stones look so natural and the various stone face configurations makes the end job look incredibly real. With the variety of shapes and sizes we are able to create stunning landscaped stairways. RockSteps are much lighter than real stones, which made installation easy. Considering the reasonable price and ease of installation this is really a great option for our customers, we will be recommending RockSteps on all of our future jobs.� - Kent Eppley, President ERI Building and Design LLC
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The look of natural stone without the cost and hassle Tan Random Broken Face (Weatheredge Face Showing)
Tan Random Broken Face
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EASILY INSTALLED
Installations are simple since you can handle and place RockSteps without heavy equipment. A primary base is required, which consists of 6� of crushed rock. RockSteps require no straps or lift trucks leading to less labor costs.
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A COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION • LESS LABOR AND ENERGY TO INSTALL • WEIGHS 75% LESS THAN NATURAL STONE OR CONCRETE STEPS, SAVING COST ON FREIGHT • NO HEAVY MACHINERY NEEDED • MINIMAL TO NO YARD REPAIR • UNIFORM SIZES FOR NO WASTE • MADE OF PROVEN MATERIAL FOR EXCEPTIONAL DURABILITY 4
LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE
RockSteps are easily handled - normally with 2 people. This includes loading, unloading, transporting, positioning and setting the RockSteps in place.
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The beauty of natural stone with consistent heights and level foot placement surface Grey Random Broken Face
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CONSISTENT
RockSteps offer a consistent 6 inch height. This uniformity provides a safer walking surface with level, flat landing areas. RockSteps provide natural, attractive rock faces, corners and sides. The consistent surface of RockSteps is perfect for little bare feet coming up from the lake. Unlike real stone, there are no inconsistencies, misplaced cracks or sharp extrusions.
Tan Weatheredge Step
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THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR: • LAKE FRONTS • EXTREME STEEP HILLS • ROOF TOP GARDENS • TRAIL BUILDERS • STRICT RISE & TRIP CODES • NO ROOM FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT • YARD DAMAGE ISSUES
Random Broken Face
Random Broken Face (Weatheredge Face Showing)
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SMART
The smart alternative to natural stone steps. Weathered edge or broken face detailing gives each step the beautiful look of natural stone.
Tan Random Broken Face
Tan Random Broken Face (Weatheredge Face Showing)
“The lake front project had an extreme steep hill and tight property lines where we were going to either carry in 500 pound steps or barge the steps in from the lake. RockSteps were easy to carry, easy to install and had the look of real natural stone.� - Patrick (Ziggy) Ziegeweid, Registered Landscape Architect Trees On The Move; New Berlin, WI
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The strength and durability of natural stone
Weatheredge Step
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DURABILITY
RockSteps offer the strength and durability of natural stone. Reinforced concrete for ultra strong construction RockSteps can withstand all nature has to offer in any climate. The strength and beauty of natural stone without the weight and cost.
Tan Mixed Random Steps with 5-Sided Outcrop Landings
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DESIGN VERSATILITY
Design the look and function you need with RockSteps. The combination of natural beauty and ease of use make RockSteps ideal for any project. They are the perfect solution for rooftop gardens, lake front slopes and hard to access locations where heavy machinery cannot be used. The consistent step shapes make it easy for designers and architects to incorporate into their design plans.
Grey Weatheredge Step
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COLOR OPTIONS: Grey
COMPOSITION & MATERIALS: Reinforced concrete surface with a solid lightweight core that is completely encapsulated. Top surface simulates a quarry top finish with a rock face appearance on front and 2 sides. Brown
SURFACE COLOR RANGE:
Tan
Blue Slate
Charcoal
The base color simulates warm natural colors on a broken or weathered edge face. Natural and synthetic mineral oxide pigments are stable to atmospheric conditions; sun fast, weather resistant, alkali resistant, water insoluble, and non- bleeding. Expect some natural color variation from step to step.
INSTALLATION: Remove dirt as required, and install base with a 6” base of ¾” minus crushed rock and top off with ¼” minus crushed rock or sand. Use a hand tamper or a powered plate compactor for every 3 1/2” of crushed stone used; building a compacted crushed stone base of 6 inches. Incorporate good building practices, making sure to check local building codes (as they can vary from area to area). Observe applicable job site safety precautions. For full estimating and installation instructions see Page 16 & 17, or view our Hometime video at www.rocksteps.com.
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®
Broken Face Step
Random Broken Face Step
30” x 15” x 6” - approx. 75# Broken face detail on 4 vertical sides
Weatheredge Step
36” x 18” x 6” - approx. 115# 48” x 18” x 6” - approx. 150# Weatheredge detail on 3 vertical sides
Weatheredge Landing
48” x 30” x 6” - approx. 200# Weatheredge detail on 3 vertical sides
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36”- 38” x 18” - 20” x 6” - approx. 125# 46“ - 48” x 18”- 20” x 6” - approx. 150# Broken face detail on 3 vertical sides Weatheredge detail on 1 vertical side
Random Broken Face Landing 48” x 30” x 6” - approx. 200# Broken face detail on 3 vertical sides Weatheredge detail on 1 vertical side
Broken Face Landing
Boulder: Oregon
30” x 30” x 6” - approx. 150# Broken face detail on 4 vertical sides
20”x 12” - approx. 85# Available in Brown, Tan and Grey
Boulder: Georgia
Boulder: Wisconsin
34” 15”
28”x 13” - approx. 85# Available in Brown, Tan and Grey
14”
30”
22”x 26” - approx. 125# Available in Brown, Tan and Grey
26”
Outcrop Landing
5 sided landing 6” high - approx. 175#
Color Options
Boulder: Maine
24”x 25” - approx. 120# Available in Brown, Tan and Grey
Boulder: Virginia
29”x 16” - approx. 115# Available in Brown, Tan and Grey
Railroad Tie Step: 1-Piece
Grey
36”x 18”- approx. 90# 48”x 18”- approx. 125# Available in Brown
Brown Tan Blue Slate Charcoal Virginia Boulder
Georgia and Virginia Boulder
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EASY ROCKSTEP ESTIMATING & INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS Plan your step project to determine step sizes, color and stone styles (see Weatheredge style face on page 12, see Broken Face style or Random Broken Face style on page 6).
Before Digging
Contact the underground utility location service for your area before digging. This may be done in many areas of the U.S. by calling 811, other jurisdictions may have different phone numbers or contact procedures.
Things You’ll Need • Safety Glasses • Gloves • Level • Shovel • Wheelbarrow • Tape Measure • Landscape Adhesive • Gravel • Rake • Wood Stakes • String line
“The heart of every project is a practical path achieved by selecting the right Rocksteps. This gives you convenient yard access - no more tromping through the mud. Turn your wasted space into a favorite hangout.” -Rich Kelly National Sales Manager-RockStep
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1. S et up and prep
Outline the area in the hill where the RockSteps will go with spray paint. Drive a wood stake at the top and bottom of the site. The stake at the bottom of the hill must be tall enough that a string or tape measure can be strung horizontally between it and the stake at the top of the hill. If your bottom stake is too short, do this step in stages. All you want to obtain is the linear distance from the top of the hill to the bottom. If done in stages, also measure the distance from string to ground on the lower stake. Write this down because you will add these distances together.
2. M easuring the ‘run’ (see fig 1 page 17)
Measure from the top landing to the bottom along the horizontal line to calculate the length of the hillside. Measure the ‘rise’ (see fig 1 page 17) Measure the distance from the top of the hill to bottom (vertical drop) Example: Your RockStep path has a hillside length of 28 feet and a vertical drop of 14’ 6”. The run would then be 28 feet and the rise would equal 14’ 6” feet. See Fig. 1 on page 17
3. Calculating Number of Steps:
Convert the rise into inches; Divide the total rise by 6 inches to figure out the number of steps you need. Example: - Using the example from Step 2, convert the rise, or 14’/ 6”, into inches (14’x12”+6”= 174 inches) and divide by 6 to get the correct number of steps, in this case 29. - The tread, or landing of each step is measured by dividing the number of steps into the amount of run. In this example, convert the 28-foot run into inches (28’ x12”= 336) and divide by 29. - Each of the 29 steps would have a tread of 11.58 inches, which can be rounded to 12 inches. Example: When using a RockStep that is 18 inches deep the common overlap is 6 inches over the step below leaving a 12 inch step tread (see Fig. 2 on page 17). See Understanding Tread and Common Tread Examples on page 17 for other tread options.
4. Installing
Mark each intended step placement on the run in your hill with spray paint. Always start the install with the bottom step. Dig out the approximate shape of the step 6 inches deep. Fill with a 6” base of ¾” minus crushed rock and top off with ¼” minus crushed rock or sand (for drainage). Pack and tap down gravel firmly before setting your Rockstep in place. Keep in mind to impart a slight incline on each step away from the house for correct drainage. After the first step is installed, measure and dig the second Rockstep location. Repeat the above process for the remaining steps being installed. Use a good quality landscape adhesive (see your dealer for recommended adhesives) under each joining lip where each top and bottom step meet. This will keep the steps in place.
Understanding Tread RockSteps should overlap by approx. 3-6 inches, but tread can be variable to your design Common Tread Examples:
Backfill each step with stones or dirt and sod to prevent erosion.
15” deep step
5. D e-icing
De-icing salts are corrosive to any concrete product. Do not use rock or straight salt for de-icing. Use sand if possible. See your local landscape supplier for de-icing solutions.
15” step overlaps 6” 9” Step Tread 15” step
EXAMPLE USING 36”x 18” x 6” STEP Fig. 1 Landing
Level Stake
18” deep step Run 28’
12” Step Tread
CALCULATING RISE/RUN AND NUMBER OF STEPS: SEE STEPS 1-3 Page 16
Rise 14’ 6”
18” step overlaps 6”
18” step
Level Stake
30” deep landing
18” step depth 6” Step
6” Overlap with 12” Step Tread
18” 6”
Fig. 2
36”
24” Landing Tread
18” step overlaps 6”
30” landing
6” Gravel/Sand base
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MAINTENANCE:
When necessary, clean surface with water and a mild granular detergent. Use medium bristle brush (wire brush can cause damage to surfaces). Prolonged, concentrated use of high pressure washers can also cause surface damage. Do not use acidic cleaners or harsh chemicals as damage to the surface will occur.
LIMIT OF WARRANTY & LIABILITY: For complete warranty information go to www.rocksteps.com.
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Norse Building Products Inc. PO BOX 126 536 Main Street Allenton, WI 53002