New recruit here delighted at finding fab informative expert.
We live in an avenue of 130 large traditional red sandstone terraced properties built from Locharbriggs sandstone (Dumfries) circa 1928. Avenue is class away from being a conservation area.
Virtually all the householders have already replaced or are having to replace their entrance steps because the foundations for the steps were poorly constructed and now most of the treads are falling in at the centre. Sadly no one has been able to find a supplier for the original polished marble/terrazo style steps approximately 1.2m by 0.4m. Local council planning dept refuses to suggest supplier.
We are among the luckiest. Only one of our treads has been broken and we have had new foundations dug and re-used four of our original treads and have a makeshift one at the bottom. This lower step is horrible. It is made from four tiles.
My neighbour's steps are in a much worse state - four of hers are broken and only one is in reasonable condition. She has promised me her unbroken tread to give me a full set if I can help locate a source for her five new ones...
I have started searching but I know she has only limited resources. We will make a contribution but wonder if you know of anyone who would supply to the west of Scotland. Where should I start? Would a company which makes imitation limestone or marble fireplaces make suitable material for external use?
Here are the photies. the first shows a 'view', the second is an edited clos-up so the texture and colour of the material can be seen.
The only chance you have of finding anything similar is to hunt through all the local salvage yards. An alternative may be for some neighbours to have comletely new steps constructed from a similar material, and for them to sell the salvageable decent steps to other neighbours keen to have 'original details'.
These are most likely to be locally manufactured items, rather than nationally available products, which makes them that much harder to find. You might want to try www.salvoweb.com but, as I've hinted, don't build up your hopes. A neighbour willing to trade in their old steps is your best bet.
