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Rudbekia
Citizen
Username: Rudbekia
Post Number: 159
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 3:00 pm: | 
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Is it possible or desirable to build wood front steps over the concrete/brick faced ones I have now? The ones I have are starting to crumble, and rather than pay to fix them I'd prefer to have wood ones instead because the kids play in the front a lot and I'm always afraid they're going to tumble headlong into them, plus I like the way nice wood steps look as opposed to the ugly concrete/brick job I have now. Also, I have one of those wrought iron railings that I'd prefer to replace with wood railings. How do you get those out and does it do a lot of damage to the siding? And finally, anyone know someone who would be good to use to do this? Thanks. |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1570
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 3:32 pm: |
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I had wood steps and didn't like them because they were very slippery and required frequent painting. There are ways around the slipperiness, of course (e.g., putting sand in the paint), but I much prefer our new bluestone steps (with wood railing). |
Rudbekia
Citizen
Username: Rudbekia
Post Number: 160
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:31 pm: |
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Thanks for the advice Dave. I PL'ed you to ask you a couple more questions if you don't mind. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4514
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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Done all the time, and can work well. Consider using treated wood rather than paint to lesson the slip and paint upkeep problem.
Later,
George |
Rudbekia
Citizen
Username: Rudbekia
Post Number: 161
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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Thanks, George. Anyone you can recommend to build them? I don't think I'd like the look of treated wood in the front, though. Do you think I could achieve a painted look with a colored stain? |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4515
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 12:41 pm: |
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Well if you want that, then paint. Just build into the steps the use of the abrasive step pads. The kind that you seen that look like sand paper.
Easy to install over paint and easy to replace as needed. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11097
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 1:06 pm: |
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Using a semi-transparent stain will give a nice look and at least at our former house not slippery at all.
I kind of belong to the school of thought that says a wood house should have wood steps, but I know a lot of other people see things differently.
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themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2740
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 2:45 pm: |
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But- aren't original wood steps usually under a porch roof, whereas cement and brick steps are more exposed? Therefore, the new wood steps will get more weather than is ideal for wood.
I am in the same boat. I have a set of half-round front steps and it makes life hard with kids, groceries, etc. since the door sweeps almost past the edge of the landing. I dream about building a nice new set right over the brick, but it would get rained on all year. |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 618
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 6:40 pm: |
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In May of '03, I actually built a larger porch / deck over our front concrete steps and landing. I had to demo the landing to gain the necessary clearance, but was able to use some of the structure for support. I used pressure treated for the framing and cedar for the decking, stairs and rail. It is half sheltered by the roof overhang and to date there have been no problems with finish or rot. It weathers nicely into the puddingstone and each year, its power washed and its been sealed once (after completion) with Thompson's Wood Sealer. No slipping issues either. The pictures show the demo before and the porch as of today. The original porch ended even with the right side of the window and the left side of the door, so we picked up a nice functional space.
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