How to Build a Step With Bricks

If you’re trying to figure out how to build steps with bricks without mortar, it can be done! Not sure how? Keep reading and I’ll show how you can use interlocking brick pavers to make your own steps pretty easily.

I was asked to build a step to connect two levels of a patio. I took on the job without consulting my reference books or conferring with colleagues. And I probably could have made it work, but then I would not be writing this article that has one of the most popular search terms leading people to this page.

🧱 Brick Steps Without Mortar – Real Builder Quotes

Here are direct, no-mud, no-mortar instructions from pros on building durable brick steps—no mortar needed, just proper base prep and smart placement:

🚧 Step 1: Prepare the Base
“Dig out at least 10 cm of ground. Put some MOT sub-base down… Compact it. Compact it. Compact it.”

“These steps are constructed on a 6‑inch base of compacted crushed stone … but they do not require a concrete foundation …”

🚧 Step 2: (Optional) Add Thin Concrete Layer
“Lay a 50 mm (about 2 inches) layer of concrete on top of the compacted sub‑base. This will create an even and sturdy surface for your bricks.”

🚧 Step 3: Dry-Fit the Bricks
“Tip: It’s important to do a dry run with your bricks at this point to check levels, spacing, and end details. This step helps you visualize the final product and make adjustments before permanently setting the bricks.”

🚧 Step 4: Place the Bricks
Set your bricks or pavers into position directly on the compacted stone or concrete—no mortar involved. The weight of the bricks locks them into place.

🚧 Step 5: Compact the Bricks
“After spreading the MOT Type 1 sub-base evenly … compact it thoroughly. Compacting the sub-base prevents future shifting and settling.”

Then use a rubber mallet or compactor to settle each brick firmly.

🚧 Step 6: Install Edging (Optional)
Use timber, block, or stone edging to prevent lateral shift—especially important on sloped steps.

🔩 Pro Tips from the Source
“Compact it. Compact it. Compact it.” – you can’t skimp on base work.
reddit.com

Dry-fitting your bricks saves time and hassle.

A thin concrete layer is optional but adds stability.

📋 Quick Recap
Stage Action
Base Prep Dig, backfill with crushed stone, compact thoroughly
Optional Concrete Pour 2″ layer for extra flatness
Dry-Fit Bricks Layout bricks to check spacing and level
Set Bricks Tap into position on compacted base
Compact Again Use mallet or compactor to lock everything in place
Add Edging (optional) Hold bricks laterally if needed, especially on slopes

How to Build Brick Steps Without Mortar

Step 1: Lay the first course of bricks.

Lay the first course of bricks across the area where you want your steps to be. Keep in mind that each brick should overlap at least one-half inch with its neighbor. If you’re using a mortarless method, make sure that the bricks are straight and level with each other.

Step 2: Measure the width of your first course.

Measure the width of your first course by measuring from one end to the other and multiplying by two (or three). This will give you an approximate length for each individual step, which will be needed later on when laying out each stone.

Step 3: Cut your slabs into manageable pieces with a circular saw or power miter saw.

Cutting your slab into manageable pieces can be done with a circular saw or power miter saw depending on how large your slab is and how many stones need to be cut down in size. If possible, try to leave some extra room around each slab so that it has more support when being lifted into place later on down the road.

The steps will be built in the same way as the wall, but you will need to use bricks and slabs instead of blocks. The most important thing is to make sure that your bricks are level and the same height, otherwise it will look very messy and unprofessional.

Step 1 – Build a frame for the steps:

This can be done by using wooden beams or metal rods. Make sure that they are secured with screws into concrete or bricks.

Step 2 – Mark out where your bricks will go:

For this step, you need to measure the length of each brick, then mark out a square on which they will sit. You should also mark out where each one goes on the frame and how many there are in total (in this example there are 4). If you have more than 4 bricks per step then it might be easier to build two separate steps with two frames rather than making one big one!

Step 3 – Mark out where your slabs go:

The idea behind these steps is that they look like real stone steps but without needing any mortar or concrete underneath them! To achieve this effect you need to use slabs which have been cut down so that they fit into place perfectly between each brick (see picture).

If you’ve got an old house with a lot of character, chances are that it has steps leading from the sidewalk to the front door. The problem is, those steps were built with mortar and brick. Mortar is a mixture of sand, water and cement that’s used to hold bricks together. Over time, mortar can crack and crumble away, leaving your brick steps looking terrible.

When you want to replace your brick steps without mortar, you have two options: use plain old bricks or concrete pavers. Each type of material has its pros and cons.

Mortared Brick Steps

The upside of using mortared brick steps is that they’re easy to install — all you need is a good mason who knows how to lay bricks in straight lines and level them so they’re flat against each other without any gaps or bumps in between them. The downside is that it takes some time for mortar to cure (which can take up to 24 hours) before you can walk on it safely without worrying about falling through the cracks or losing your balance when walking up or down the stairs because there are no railings in place yet

The steps can be built of brick or stone, but I prefer using bricks because they are much easier to work with. The steps should be wide enough for comfortable walking and long enough so that when you look down from the top step, you can see the bottom step.

Build the foundation

The first step in building a set of steps is to dig out a trench for the concrete footings. The width of each footing should be about 16 inches (41 cm). If you’re using blocks instead of bricks for your stair treads, you’ll need to dig a trench that’s 18 inches (46 cm) deep and place two courses of blocks side by side before filling in the trench with concrete.

To make sure that your footings are level, use a bubble level or laser level attached to a long board as you dig out each footing; don’t rely on just eyeballing it. Placing one course of blocks on top of another without any mortar between them is called “dry stacking” and it’s fine for temporary structures like sheds and garages, but not good enough for permanent staircases where safety is involved.

Once all four footings are dug out and leveled off at ground level, place them in position in their respective corners; then measure