Hi,
Below are a pic of the steps in our front garden, leading to the house, as well as a drawing of how I would like to completely redo our front garden. Let me explain. I'd like to replace the 4 steps with (starting from the pavement) a flat section and then 4 steps of uniform rises and treads, as depicted in my drawing (see sideview on the right). To do this, as the steps start further into the slope I will have to build something to retain the soil on either side, to a max height of approx 450mm. Part of the reason that I want to redo the front is that I want no contact between the steps and the soil. This has always made it awkward for lawnmowing, and is unsightly. But I can't think of a retaining wall structure that wouldn't be unsightly. I've considered bricks, railway sleepers, paving slaps laid vertically... please help.
Below are a pic of the steps in our front garden, leading to the house, as well as a drawing of how I would like to completely redo our front garden. Let me explain. I'd like to replace the 4 steps with (starting from the pavement) a flat section and then 4 steps of uniform rises and treads, as depicted in my drawing (see sideview on the right). To do this, as the steps start further into the slope I will have to build something to retain the soil on either side, to a max height of approx 450mm. Part of the reason that I want to redo the front is that I want no contact between the steps and the soil. This has always made it awkward for lawnmowing, and is unsightly. But I can't think of a retaining wall structure that wouldn't be unsightly. I've considered bricks, railway sleepers, paving slaps laid vertically... please help.