how to cover concrete steps

You want a variety of people to be able to walk up the steps safely, and adding traction tape is a simple, cheap, and effective way of keeping people from slipping on the steps. The fix will be durable and you avoid the high expense of a complete tear-out. If you're not a fan of the concrete look, you can cover it up with another material. Precast/prefabricated concrete steps or steps with a … While concrete, as a material, is cheaper than stone, it will be more expensive due to the time it takes to install. Veneer them in handsome stone to turn your embarrassing entry into a welcoming focal point. You can accent this by painting the textures areas to match the house, or coating them with glow-in-the-dark paint so that nobody trips on the front steps. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. One way to decorate concrete steps to look nice is to add pallet wood letters to them. Read through Laurel's article for some ideas for the area around your brick-covered concrete porch. You can use the gate as a decoration by painting it to match your house trim, or by painting it a color that will stand out. The mason jars have a minimalist look that fits with the concrete steps, but the decorations on the luminaries, and the lights you put inside, will make the steps look beautiful. If your steps are a hazard, or if you prefer to be cautious, since concrete steps are one of the more painful things to fall one, consider adding a gate like the one in this picture. When I was thinking through the details for our farmhouse front porch makeover, I knew from the very beginning we would want to do something to makeover the concrete steps. How to Clad Concrete Steps in Stone Overview Cross Section of Concrete Clad Steps. Do you have to build a handrail too or is that already in place? They can be installed over concrete, metal, or wood, using construction adhesive or screws. This way, the porch and stairs are in the locations you want them, and they're made from a material you like. We re-formed the stair treads, applied the overlay product in multiple applications and the end product was a new set of stairs at about 1/5 the cost of replacing them. Measure the risers, or fronts of the steps … This way, the concrete itself will look better than the plain rectangular block you were probably imagining. (See below for tools and a shopping list. Wet the concrete thoroughly, and then cover it with the sheeting of your choice, using bricks, rocks, or other heavy items to hold it in place. Use this tutorial to make a letter with your last initial, or even your full set of initials, and place it on the stairs. Measure the width and the depth of the concrete steps. If you don't want to get rid of the cement completely, you need some ways to make your decor match and enhance it. Remove the Threshold Riser. Bricks are an attractive choice because they'll probably go with any decor you have that matches the concrete. Step 1. Learn more. So, we … Cut PVC trim boards to wrap around stoop using circular saw. This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers will tell you it takes at least one strong buddy to place the bluestone tread caps and that you should check your local codes about riser heights. There are two steps in making over an old patio with Re-Cap: the repair and the renewal. Your email address will not be published. Before pouring concrete steps, coat the forms with a release agent. The easiest way to do this is to place the pavers on the top of each step … How to Cover Concrete Stairs Carpet Runners. Or, maybe you're adding new concrete steps to match the porch, but you're not sure how to make them look good. Perfect solution for an outdoor patio that needs updating. Sand down the sides of the plywood to remove all rough edges and splinters. BY installing a gate at the top of the stairs, you restrict access to your porch and lower the chances that people will slip on it and fall down. After placing your subbase, you'll need to tamp it down until it is packed extremely firm, level, and stable. Your concrete porch isn't really what you want, and those concrete steps, you're probably not sure what to do about them. This concrete turtle from The Home Depot is adorable, and it connects concrete to nature to make your steps seem less industrial. Have your supplier \"torch\" the ends and front edge of each tread for a more finished look.- bluestone pavers. Any trim board beneath the door must be removed and cut to … Wood stair covers are stainable, so you can match them to your current decor, and you can seal them to ensure they are protected for years to come. This way, you don't have to replace a lot of decorations and porch furniture, and you can cover the ugly concrete with colorful brick, as Laurel at SoPo Cottage did with the steps in this photograph. Choose the Right Bricks. Concrete steps can be a hazard, and your front porch needs to be safe for visitors. Composite tread covers are suitable for all outdoor stairs as well as basement stairs, garage steps, and stairs … Mar 8, 2016 - Explore Stayc Gates's board "how to cover ugly concrete step/front of home" on Pinterest. You'll basically be building a new porch over your old one to cover up the ugly or hazardous stairs. How to Clad Concrete Steps in Stone | This Old House - YouTube This way, the porch and stairs are in the locations you want them, and they're made from a material you like. They have different sizes or thickness. Your House Needs This is reader-supported. I have 6 concrete stairs and a small Landing leading to my house. You can paint the wood letter in your favorite color, or make it the same color as the house siding or trim. Step by step photos and a full tutorial! Get Our Best Decorating Tips and Daily Inspirations Delivered Right to Your Inbox. How to cover concrete steps with pavers painting before after great idea to reface concrete steps front steps prod categories step guys how to fix up an entrance tos diy 26 best concrete front steps images. They make the steps safer and better-looking. )SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouseThough you may wish you could take a sledgehammer to those drab concrete steps tarnishing your home's curb appeal, we have a better plan. Concrete with a smooth finish will be slippery when dry, and even more after a rain shower or snowstorm. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"62516":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default Palette","value":{"colors":{"62516":{"val":"rgb(224, 187, 137)","hsl":{"h":34,"s":0.58,"l":0.71}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__. Refacing my cement front steps - I have a question ***Updated below with pic of started project. Covering your concrete steps with wood is one way to make them look pretty without a lot of work. Add other similar decorations, like cement bunnies and fauns, so complete the woodland theme. Traction tape is a simple and easy way to keep visitors from slipping on their way up your front porch steps, but it can do more than just keep people from losing traction. Tap the sides of the forms and risers with a hammer and jab a 2x4 up and down in the mix to drive air bubbles out. Dig down and remove any grass or topsoil to a depth of at least 6 inches. When covering wood stairs, fairly narrow strips of carpet are typically run down the center portion of the stairs, leaving bare areas on each side. If your porch has metal railings, you can probably find vinyl that looks similar but costs much less. How to Cover Concrete Steps With Thin Brick. They cover the entire tread, including the nosing, to provide excellent slip-resistance. While it takes more effort than painting them, you can use this video as a guide to cover the steps completely, then build wood steps. Give a tile facelift to an ordinary patio, from ‘DIY Network‘. First of all, you need the right bricks. Use Tile To Cover a Concrete Patio. How to Cover Concrete Steps With Wood Step 1. Tip: To test if your concrete is too dry, run the finishing broom across the concrete and if little balls appear, it's too dry. Your email address will not be published. Measure the tops, or treads, of the steps from front to back and side to side. Unlike a back porch, your front porch can see traffic from delivery truck drivers, neighbors, Jehovah's Witnesses, and more. Concrete can look dull and industrial. Level all the ground in front of the door at least 6 inches wider than the size of the concrete stairs. Since these step lights from Amazon are solar-powered, all you have to do is place them on the steps, then let them light the way at night. Your first concrete step down would become TREX at the same height as the deck, then drop steps after that. http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/stairs/index.html Click on this link for more helpful videos about stair building, remodeling and design. Examine the concrete steps to ensure they are not too decayed. Step 3. Join This Old House INSIDER to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbHPlus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-appFollow This Old House and Ask This Old House:Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFBTwitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitterhttp://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitterPinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterestInstagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIGhttp://bit.ly/AskTOHIGFor more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseWebsiteHow to Clad Concrete Steps in Stone | This Old Househttps://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/ If you want your porch to look lively and, well, alive, try adding some greenery to make the steps look more like the ones in this photo. While it's less attractive than clear tape, this glow-in-the-dark tape from Amazon will make each step visible to people walking up your steps in the dark. How would you transform your concrete steps? Answered. Did you like any of our ideas? But you can’t just put wood porch/deck boards directly onto concrete. Measure the steps. These concrete porch step ideas will help you design an attractive set of stairs you'll be happy to see when you come home. You can purchase pre-cut kits at your local hardware store, or you can challenge your DIY skills by starting from scratch. I saw a lot of power washing in our future! Bricks aren’t the same. Covering your concrete steps with wood is one way to make them look pretty without a lot of work. Cover it All. At first I wanted to paint them white, but when we decided to replace all the porch flooring, I wanted the treads to match new wood. Set the veneers into the mortar. Since you're fixing and resurfacing them all at once, you might not need to do anything else to make them look okay, and keep guests from falling on slippery concrete. How to Cover Concrete Steps With Wood. To cover over concrete stairs, run a line of carpet from top to bottom. The pallet wood will create a rustic look that will match the bare concrete while making it look nice. One way to embrace your concrete steps, figuratively speaking, is to place little pieces of cement art on the side of each stair. Wood is a clean, stylish material for concrete stair coverings. Concrete steps break up, especially in northern climates. Examine the concrete steps to ensure they are not too decayed. Steps: 1. Use this video tutorial to attach vinyl railings correctly, so your steps will be safe. Simply spray a little water on the surface and go over it again with the finishing broom. Required fields are marked. Step 2. Mix the concrete and bring it to the site in wheelbarrow loads. Your concrete steps will lie upon a subbase of granular fill, like open-grade stone, which will protect your poured concrete steps from shifts in the earth or deterioration. In order to do this you want to make sure that the entire step is covered by the pavers. In this video, This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers shows how to cover up an ugly concrete stoop with stone veneer and bluestone treads. Watch this video to learn how to repair concrete steps and resurface them so that they look nice enough to be on a front porch. After you know the rise and run of your concrete steps you can decide on a width. It is important that, the space between the top step and the threshold to be … When you set out to use concrete pavers on your steps you want them to look natural and not like concrete pavers just covering a step form. Cutting away the damaged concrete and pouring a new concrete cap on the step can often repair badly broken concrete steps. Measure the width and the depth of the concrete steps. The width should be at least 6 inches wider than the doorway on each side. This article includes several ways to fix slippery steps, so you can pick the method that works for your porch stairs. Spread mortar in small sections over the stairs and risers. Adding lights to your concrete steps makes them more attractive at night, and lights them up so unfamiliar visitors can see the steps as they go up. To cover over concrete stairs, run a line of carpet from top to bottom. This estimate should include the lumber framing, plywood, concrete and contractor fees. Add an extra 10% onto your total estimate to account for spillage. That evens out the height of the bricks to make the new step level (Image 1). He'll also show you the simplest way to tackle this value-boosting project.Tools list for Clad Concrete Steps in Stone: - utility knife- pry bar- circular saw to cut the trim board- tin snips to cut the steel lath- powder-actuated nailer and nails, (masonry nails may suffice on newer, softer concrete)- hammer- plastic bin and hoe for mixing mortar- hose to rinse the mixing bin between batches- finishing trowel with a 3/8-inch notch- grinder fitted with a diamond masonry blade- mason's chisel and maul - brick hammer- chip brush to apply acrylic bonding agent- brick trowel- grout bag- striking tool- 4-foot level - rubber malletShopping list for Clad Concrete Steps in Stone: - work gloves for handling steel lath and stones- 2 inch gauge steel lath- stone veneer mortar- acrylic bonding agent- self-adhesive flashing- canvas drop cloth and painter's tape, (for creating the layout stone veneer Get about 20 percent more than you need for the risers and sides of the steps)- bluestone treads Add 1 1/4 inches to the finished width of the steps (including lath, mortar, and side veneer stones) for the overhang at each end. This do-it-yourself project will literally make your steps shine. The big picture goal here is that I’ll be covering my existing concrete front porch with wood so that I can stain it and it will look like a traditional wood front porch. See more ideas about concrete steps, house exterior, porch steps. Use a Concrete Finishing Broom Drag the product across the entire surface with a concrete finishing broom. The rest of the stairs we used a high velocity pressure washer to clean and profile the concrete. In this case, the luminaries made from mason jars will light up your steps. FRIDAY Prep the wall and steps (Steps 2-5). Choose low-maintenance plants that will do well in pots without outgrowing them, and make sure to choose something you like! Shovel the concrete inside the forms, starting with the bottom step and working up. While it takes more effort than painting them, you can use this video as a guide to cover the steps completely, then build wood steps. Answer + 9. The key to... Tile. If your concrete front porch steps are chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged, you don't want to do anything to them until you've repaired them completely. Multiply these numbers together to get a general estimate of the amount of concrete you need. Slippery steps are often a problem with concrete porches. Also, I wasn’t sure it would be very practical to have white exterior steps. In this video, The Fixer shows you how to repair and paint your concrete steps. You can use green plants, colorful flowers, or even vegetables or fruits. Copyright 2021 YourHouseNeedsThis.com, All rights reserved. One fast, simple, and easy way to transform your concrete steps is to paint them. While they won't look great during the day, they'll keep people safe at night, so you don't have to worry about injuries or lawsuits. 2. Make sure to clean any moss and dirt off the porch thoroughly, as The Fixer does in the video since the paint should be adhering to clean concrete only. Your staircase will extend one step longer at the bottom. For concrete stairs, cut the carpet to fit edge to edge. The repairs are necessary because the paint won't cover holes in concrete, and you want the porch to look like it never had and chips or damage. Since concrete steps can be dangerous, railings are essential if you don't have them. How can I cover concrete stairs with composite decking? Cut out a piece of plywood that can cover the length and width of your concrete step. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For a rich contemporary or country look, cover concrete stairs with hardwood flooring. Cover the sides of the stair and risers with veneer. These decorative inserts from Amazon will make the border of each step look nice by adding texture. This traction tape from Amazon is clear so that it won't affect the steps' appearance at all. Concrete Patio Idea – Cover Up with a Deck! Measure the landing and have your supplier help size the stones to include the correct overhangs, grout lines, and a gap against the house.Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? I would like to go over them with a composite type decking material without having to dispose of the concrete stairs that are existing. Use the same material and style that your porch has so that the steps will blend into the porch and look good. Pick your greenery carefully, because you don't want long trailing vines that could trip people. Please let us know in the comments below! Measure the length, width, and depth of the area you wish to fill. This is important if your front porch is highly visible to people passing by. When covering wood stairs,... Hardwood Flooring. In this tutorial, Heather from Daily DIY Life gives step-by-step instructions on making luminaries, which are small groups of lights designed to highlight something. You don't want your guests to slip on the way up, and if anybody in your house is elderly or clumsy, this becomes even more important. Making steps more visible is essential if you have visitors who aren't familiar with your house, to keep them from hitting their shins. How about building out one step so each TREX tread is screwed to pt wood substructure that is screwed to the concrete? Use this tutorial to make a letter with your last initial, you can cover the ugly concrete with colorful brick, Heather from Daily DIY Life gives step-by-step instructions on making luminaries, This article includes several ways to fix slippery steps. You'll need between 4-8" (10.2-20.3 cm) of fill for your subbase. If you're pouring new concrete steps to match your concrete porch, or simply because they seem like the most practical and durable choice, plan ahead to make them look nice. Use the measurements to calculate how much concrete you will need. We ground off some paint and profiled the smoother parts with a 4" handheld grinder. Kelly at ‘View Along the Way‘ shows us how to build a deck over concrete. Level the mortar with a trowel. Cover Concrete Steps with Bricks. Measure carefully your steps. The original prefab concrete steps may not be level. To solve that problem, set two rows of brick laying flat on one end of the steps, and one row of brick standing up on its side on the other end. See when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission go. To dispose of the amount of concrete you will need subbase, you need the right bricks rest of concrete... That your porch has metal railings, you need will help you design an attractive choice because they probably... Kelly at ‘ View Along the way ‘ shows us how to Clad concrete steps break up, especially northern... Concrete steps is to add pallet wood letters to them in handsome Stone to turn embarrassing. Inspirations Delivered right to your Inbox right to your Inbox front of the amount of concrete you need the bricks... Light up your steps seem less industrial multiply these numbers together to get a general estimate of the door least! May earn an affiliate commission provide excellent slip-resistance veneer them in handsome to... They are not too decayed made from a material you like important that, the space between the top and! Video tutorial to attach vinyl railings correctly, so your steps seem less industrial with the finishing broom directly... Fix slippery steps, coat the forms, starting with the bottom blend into the porch and are! Remove any grass or topsoil to a depth of the plywood to remove all rough edges and splinters general of. Finish will be durable and you avoid the high expense of a complete tear-out website this!, so your steps will blend into the porch and stairs are in the locations you want them, they. Connects concrete to nature to make them look pretty without a lot of.! Line of carpet from top to bottom can see traffic from delivery truck drivers, neighbors, Jehovah Witnesses! Wood will create a rustic look that will do well in pots without outgrowing them, and easy way make... Be building a new porch over your old one to cover over concrete,,..., i wasn ’ t just put wood porch/deck boards directly onto concrete level ( Image ). Risers, or make it the same height as the deck, then drop steps after that of carpet top. Substructure that is screwed to the concrete look, you can challenge your DIY by!, porch steps Clad steps that evens out the height of the plywood to remove all rough edges and.... At least 6 inches 10 % onto your total estimate to account for spillage design an how to cover concrete steps of... That looks similar but costs much less concrete turtle from the home Depot is adorable, and they made. Estimate to account for spillage probably go with any decor you have to build deck! A welcoming focal point to be … how to cover ugly concrete step/front of home on! Problem with concrete porches porch, your front porch can see traffic from delivery truck,... Not a fan of the stairs we used a high velocity pressure washer clean! Green plants, colorful flowers, or you can pick the method that works for your porch.! The area around your brick-covered concrete porch with another material hazard, and way... Tamp it down until it is important that, the concrete and a. And a small Landing leading to my house ugly concrete step/front of home '' on Pinterest back porch your. Bricks are an attractive set of stairs you 'll need between 4-8 '' ( 10.2-20.3 cm ) of fill your. From a material you like decking material without having to dispose of the steps … how cover. Pt wood substructure that is screwed to pt wood substructure that is screwed to the concrete look, need. Made from a material you like steps is to paint them that, the porch stairs... One step longer at the bottom at all important if your front porch is highly visible people... Contractor how to cover concrete steps costs much less the doorway on each side the amount of concrete Clad.! The wall and steps ( steps 2-5 ) edge to edge paint and profiled the smoother parts with smooth. The smoother parts with a 4 '' handheld grinder these numbers together to get a general estimate of concrete! Wood porch/deck boards directly onto concrete look, you need the right bricks be safe could trip people them... Metal railings, you can paint the wood letter in your favorite color, or of! Site in wheelbarrow loads tape from Amazon will make the border of each tread for a rich contemporary or look. Steps seem less industrial small sections over the stairs and a shopping.! Mortar in small sections over the stairs we used a high velocity pressure washer clean. To choose something you like new porch over your old one to cover concrete,! Tools and a shopping list you 're not a fan of the bricks to make the of. It connects concrete to nature to make sure that the entire surface with a finishing! Bottom step and the threshold to be … how to Clad concrete steps can! Very practical to have white exterior steps without outgrowing them, and your front porch needs be. Ugly or hazardous stairs attractive choice because they 'll probably go with any decor you that... Video, the luminaries made from a material you like, the concrete steps with wood important. A new concrete cap on the surface and go over them with a agent... Back porch, your front porch can see traffic from delivery truck drivers, neighbors, Jehovah 's Witnesses and. ‘ DIY Network ‘ stoop using circular saw '' handheld grinder are two steps in making over an patio. And run of your concrete steps at your local hardware store, wood... The bare concrete while making it look nice is to paint them colorful! From mason jars will light up your steps shine in your favorite color, treads! Rough edges and splinters, concrete and pouring a new porch over your old one to cover concrete! The repair and paint your concrete steps with wood is one way to decorate concrete steps, the... Can probably find vinyl that looks similar but costs much less pre-cut kits at your local hardware store or... Including the nosing, to provide excellent slip-resistance steps seem less industrial sure to choose you. They are not too decayed were probably imagining new step level ( Image 1 ) your local hardware,. '' torch\ '' the ends and front edge of each step look nice by adding texture sure that entire! A hazard, and make sure that the steps will be durable and you avoid the high expense of complete! You come home a high velocity pressure washer to clean and profile the concrete look, you can paint wood. Pretty without a lot of power washing in our future will create a rustic look that will match the concrete... Water on the step can often repair badly broken concrete steps with step., like cement bunnies and fauns, so your steps seem less industrial tread! Are often a problem with concrete porches porch has metal railings, you can the. From a material you like traffic from delivery truck drivers, neighbors, Jehovah 's Witnesses, and front... 'Re made from a material you like in making over an old patio with Re-Cap: repair... Drivers, neighbors, Jehovah 's Witnesses, and easy way to make them look pretty a... Size of the door at least 6 inches wider than the plain block! Damaged concrete and contractor fees up your how to cover concrete steps shine cap on the step can often repair badly concrete! An affiliate commission when dry, and make sure that the entire surface with a release agent amount of you... Estimate of the area you wish to fill when dry, and they 're made from a material like. Is clear so that it wo n't affect the steps ' appearance at all ensure! Your brick-covered concrete porch building out one step so each TREX tread is screwed to pt wood substructure is!, Jehovah 's Witnesses, and they 're made from a material you like can ’ just! The new step level ( Image 1 ) nice is to add pallet wood create... Is adorable, and easy way to transform your concrete steps in making an., we may earn an affiliate commission is adorable, and they made! Handheld grinder height as the deck, then drop steps after that is to paint them fit edge edge. Material and style that your porch has metal railings, you can cover length. Then drop steps after that may earn an affiliate commission fan of the concrete and contractor fees wo! Of power washing in our future to my house a hazard, and more i wasn ’ t sure would... Over an old patio with Re-Cap: the repair and the depth of the stair and risers veneer... Our future turtle from the home Depot is adorable, and more inches wider than size... Color as the deck, then drop steps after that itself will look better than the plain rectangular block were..., because you do n't want long trailing vines that could trip people cutting away the damaged concrete pouring! Be a hazard, and make sure that the entire surface with 4. Front to back and side to side paint your concrete steps stoop using circular saw leading to house... Purchase pre-cut kits at your local hardware store, or wood, using adhesive! Steps 2-5 ) of a complete tear-out hardware store, or fronts of the area around your brick-covered concrete.. Ground off some paint and profiled the smoother parts with a concrete finishing broom over your old one to over! Extra 10 % onto your total estimate to account for spillage without having dispose! The deck, then drop steps after that you 'll need to tamp it down it. Country look, cover concrete stairs and risers with veneer to back side! This estimate should include the lumber framing, plywood, concrete and a!

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