Create Garden Curbing Click Here
How To Create Your Own Custom Stepping Stones
How to Create Concrete Art
Custom Concrete Stepping Stones at Home: Easy DIY Guide
Making your own concrete stepping stones is easier than you might think! With the right materials and our ROCKA DESIGN™ Custom Stone Maker, you can create custom stepping stones in almost any shape or size. Whether you're building a garden path, adding stepping stones around flower beds, or creating a unique walkway through your backyard, this simple DIY project lets you design a look that fits your outdoor space.
The best part - You don't need to be a professional to get started. Ready to learn?
The best part - You don't need to be a professional to get started. Ready to learn?
What You'll Need:
Before starting your project, gather these supplies:
Helpful tip: Always follow the concrete manufacturer's directions for mixing, water quantities, handling, and curing. Wet concrete can irritate or burn skin, so always wear appropriate gloves and avoid direct contact.
Before starting your project, gather these supplies:
- ROCKA DESIGN™ Custom Stone Maker flexible, reusable concrete form
- Ready-to-mix concrete, either regular or fast-setting
- Water
- A trowel or similar hand tool
- Gloves suitable for working with wet concrete
- A bucket or mixing container
- Concrete color or stain, if desired
- Water for rinsing and curing your finished stones
Helpful tip: Always follow the concrete manufacturer's directions for mixing, water quantities, handling, and curing. Wet concrete can irritate or burn skin, so always wear appropriate gloves and avoid direct contact.
Step 1: Prepare the Ground and Shape Your Stepping Stone
Preparing the ground
Start by preparing the area where you want to place your stepping stone. Remove loose debris and level the ground as needed.
Unroll your ROCKA DESIGN™ Custom Stone Maker form and bring the two ends together to create your desired shape. The flexible design allows you to create rounded shapes, irregular outlines, and other custom shapes instead of being limited to cookie-cutter designs.
Insert the anchor pins around the outside of the form to hold the form in desired shape.
Use trowel to dig a trench approx. 1 1/2" under the form and press the form into the trench. (This will create a 2" thick stone)
Create Smaller Stone
Want a smaller stepping stone? Simply overlap the two ends of the form, as shown to reduce the size of the shape.
Step 2: Add the Concrete
Setting ROCKA DESIGN Form
Option 2 Premixed Concrete
Before adding concrete, pack dirt around the edges inside and outside of the form.
Now add your concrete:
Premix the Concrete in a Separate Container
If you'd like colored stepping stones, see How to Add Color at bottom of page.
Important: Follow the concrete product's instructions for the correct water ratio and mixing procedure. Don't add excessive water in an attempt to make the concrete easier to work with, as this can weaken the finished stone.
Now add your concrete:
Premix the Concrete in a Separate Container
- Mix your concrete before adding it to the form. This is a straightforward approach.
- Add the concrete mix and water to a suitable container.
- Mix according to the manufacturer's directions until you reach the recommended consistency.
- Scoop the prepared concrete into the form.
- Spread it evenly throughout the shape.
- Use a trowel to smooth the surface or create a decorative texture.
If you'd like colored stepping stones, see How to Add Color at bottom of page.
Important: Follow the concrete product's instructions for the correct water ratio and mixing procedure. Don't add excessive water in an attempt to make the concrete easier to work with, as this can weaken the finished stone.
Step 3: Finish the Surface and Remove the Form
Smoothing Concrete Surface
Removing Form
Once you've filled the form, use your trowel to finish the surface. You can create a smooth finish, add texture, or leave a slightly natural-rough looking surface to complement your garden.
Gently remove form once concrete stone has slightly set, usually takes about 1 minute. If you find the concrete is still a little soft and sticking to the form wait another minute and then remove the form. Once the form is removed you can use the trowel on the edges and the surface to create your desired finish (if it becomes too dry on the edges before you finish your smoothing, just dampen the edges with a little water and continue to pat and smooth the surface till you achieved your desired look.)
Repeat steps 1 - 2 - 3 for the next stone(s) till you have created all the stones you need for your project. If you are doing a large project always rinse off the form periodically to keep the form clean.
Add'l Instructions:
1. Use Ready-To Mix Concrete (fast-setting or regular), these already have the aggregates in them and just need water.
2. Start curing the concrete with a fine mist of water, as soon as the sheen on the surface disappears repeat the mist of water. It will take approx. 3-5 days to fully cure.
3. To fill any space between the stones you can add decorative gravel, sand or grass whatever you would like to complete your perfect design.
4. After you're done with your total project, just wash the form and store it for a future project.
5. Concrete stains are available to add surface color to your stones after they are fully cured.
6. Add a concrete sealer after the stone is fully cured to protect the color and surface of the stone.
2. Start curing the concrete with a fine mist of water, as soon as the sheen on the surface disappears repeat the mist of water. It will take approx. 3-5 days to fully cure.
3. To fill any space between the stones you can add decorative gravel, sand or grass whatever you would like to complete your perfect design.
4. After you're done with your total project, just wash the form and store it for a future project.
5. Concrete stains are available to add surface color to your stones after they are fully cured.
6. Add a concrete sealer after the stone is fully cured to protect the color and surface of the stone.
Questions & Answers
Remove any grass, rocks, etc from the area you want your stones. Then level the dirt to make the surface flat and smooth.
You can use regular or fast-setting concrete mix. If you want to make the process fast and easy use the fast-setting concrete mix.
Once you add water to the concrete in the form, the form can be removed in approx. 1minute.
The stone will be approx. 2+" thick.
Add decorative gravel, sand, or whatever you would like to finish your design.
To smooth the top and sides use a trowel and lightly tap the surface to remove any bubbles and to push down small rocks already in the concrete to create a smooth look. The more you tap the smoother the surface will become. If you find it beginning to dry out just use a spray bottle and spray on some water and continue to tap. If you want texture you can brush a broom across the surface.
Yes. But if you find it difficult to lift a 50 lb bag of concrete then you will need assistance.
The form at its largest size will hold two 50 lb bags of concrete, thus creating a 100 lb stone.
It is extremely easy. Just shape the form into the size stone and style you want, add your concrete and after a couple of seconds remove the form and create another stone. That's it. No back breaking work.
ROCKA DESIGN™ Custom Stone Maker is extremely durable and will last for many years but some care should be taken to insure longevity. Always wash the form before storing and do not leave out in extreme heat or cold for long periods of time with concrete on the form, this could cause damage to the form.
There's Never Been a Better Time To
Start Making Stones Yourself!
Start Making Stones Yourself!
How To Add Color
Color Techniques
A Sampling of a Few Coloring Products Your Local Hardware Store Should Carry:
Easy Clean
Note: Make sure to add a concrete sealer to your stones
when finished and cured.
when finished and cured.