Concrete Stepping Stones

Stepping stones were once used for utilitarian purposes, as you might have seen stones with roughly plain surfaces placed in muddy places and watery regions, so as to facilitate dry crossing. While, natural stones in rivers and streams are often used as stepping stones, stones were placed in muddy and watery regions, so that they can be used for crossing. Both natural and artificial stones were used for this purpose. With time, these stones emerged as a garden accessory in gardens and yards. Now, you can find various types of stepping stones used for enhancing the looks of gardens. Apart from the aesthetic part, these stones also served the purpose of demarcating a clear path, so as to avoid crushing the plants and grass.

Even though, stepping stones are made with many different materials, concrete stepping stones are the most popular among them. You can buy these stepping stones from home building supply stores or gardening supply stores. Even painted, stained and designer versions are available. You may also make such stepping stones at home.

How to Make Concrete Stepping Stones

Stepping stones made of concrete, are suitable for almost all home designs. These stepping stones gel well with the traditional homes as well as the ultra modern ones. You may also alter the stepping stone design as per the style of your home. There are various types of concrete stepping stones in different styles and designs. For example, precast type is claimed to be highly water resistant and durable and resemble natural cut stone. However, if you want to lend a personal touch to the stepping stones in your house, you make them for yourself and in the process, save some money too. The following are some tips that can help you in making these stepping stones.

• In order to make these stepping stones, you need, concrete stepping stone molds, concrete mix, spade, trowel, concrete dye, etc.
• You can either go for the ready-made concrete stepping stone molds or use anything of your choice, like, pizza boxes or discarded cake pans.
• Even the concrete mix can be bought as per your choice. You may buy the quick setting concrete or the stepping stone concrete. The latter version is specially made for the purpose of making concrete stepping stones.
• The next step is to mix the concrete to the consistency of cake batter. Use protective clothing to prevent burns that can be caused on bare skin by concrete.
• You may also add concrete color dye, while mixing the concrete. Add decorative articles, like, beads, pebbles, etc, at the time of mixing.
• There are various types of molds for concrete stepping stones and you have to fill and decorate them accordingly. If the mold is a ring-like frame (for making round stepping stones), you have to keep it on a greased cookie sheet and fill with concrete.
• In case of molds like pans and containers, you have to grease the inner surface and then fill with concrete mix. Greasing is not necessary in some types of molds. Make sure to shake the mold when it is filled halfway, so that trapped air bubbles will get released.
• Then, fill it fully and decorate it with anything of your liking. You may also go for the impression of hand prints or footprints or scribble something on the concrete.
• It takes around two to three days for the concrete to set. After that, you can take out the stepping stones from the molds. All you have to do is to gently tap the molds at tilted angle, so as to release the stones.

You can splurge your creativity and come up with some unique concrete stepping stones, that can even be given as gifts. Otherwise, you may go for ready-made ones.