New Unilock Ledgestone steps over concrete
Good steps are one of the most under-appreciated elements of any outdoor space — and bad steps are one of the most dangerous. This recent project in Highland Park, Illinois is a perfect example of how properly built outdoor steps transform both the safety and the appearance of a home's entry and backyard access points.
The existing steps at this Highland Park residence needed to be replaced. National Brick Paver & Stone poured a new structural concrete base — the correct foundation for any permanent outdoor step installation in Illinois. Poured concrete provides the structural integrity that prevents settling, shifting, and movement through freeze-thaw cycles. No finish material, regardless of quality, will perform long term without a solid concrete base beneath it.
The steps were finished with Unilock Ledgestone veneer — a stacked stone aesthetic with the engineered consistency and color stability that Unilock is known for. The Ledgestone finish was set in mortar over the concrete base with fully mortared joints, locking every piece permanently in place and preventing water infiltration into the joints during Illinois winters. The adjacent patio surface was finished with Unilock Brussels Block with sealer — providing a cohesive, unified design from the steps down to the patio level.
A critical detail on this project that most contractors overlook — downspouts were buried and run away from the home as part of the installation. Surface-terminating downspouts dump hundreds of gallons of roof runoff directly against the foundation with every rainfall. Routing them underground and away from the structure is one of the most important long-term investments any North Shore homeowner can make, and it is a detail we build into projects across Highland Park and the surrounding communities every season.
The result is a set of steps that are safe, correctly proportioned, permanently built, and visually cohesive with the patio and surrounding hardscape — exactly what outdoor steps should be.
Whether you are searching for step installation near me, Unilock Ledgestone steps Highland Park IL, outdoor stair renovation North Shore, concrete base steps Illinois, or downspout drainage contractor near me — National Brick Paver & Stone builds steps that perform and look great for decades.
We proudly serve Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Winnetka, Wilmette, and all surrounding Illinois communities. Contact us today for a free consultation.
