the concrete black. If using wood, I will leave a ¼-inch space between the bottom edge of the kick plate and the masonry step. Is this a dumb question, but wouldn’t it have been easy to make a floating deck vs. building on top of what you have? So you could use the fence vs freehand? I would imagine they’d get in the way of laying your boards down nice and flat, but that’s just an inexperienced layperson’s guess. Fascia board? So are you running your deck boards the length of the porch? He said that concrete just continues getting harder and harder as it gets older, which is why the old stuff is so much harder to deal with than the new stuff. Once the first riser was in place, we measured and marked every 16 inches for placement of the rest of the risers. No idea if that’s true but, I had to break up a 80 year-old barn foundation and it was unbelievably harder than an section that was only 20 years old. Then I would measure the distance from the bottom of the level to the concrete. Oct 22, 2017 - Learn how to cover concrete steps with wood with this tutorial. Simply start pilot holes in wood using wood bit until you feel it has reach the concrete…repeat this process with all four corners. Yes, those are steps. Divide the width of the tread into even sections from twelve to sixteen inches apart and mark the tread. 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. The nail gun was leaving about an inch of the nail exposed. So, not related to the front porch, but I was wondering if there are steps leading up to the breakfast room? You can even create a grander entrance for … If this is your first project using concrete, you may want to practice on a simpler project instead, like pouring a simple concrete floor . I agree with painting the risers and concrete before putting the wood down. That time it also split the wood and cracked a very top thin layer off of the concrete, meaning that the nail wasn’t actually embedded into the concrete. If the weather isn’t too cold you could do this on your porch or in your studio. 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. Fortunately, I was used to shooting rifles/shotguns! I had purchased Tapcon concrete screws just in case the nail gun didn’t work out, but I didn’t realize that those required a hammerdrill, which I didn’t have. Concrete Patio Idea – Cover Up with a Deck! That’s why I’m putting spacers on the front and side of the porch before I put the pretty skirt/fascia board and skirting on. Good work!!! Will you be putting gutters on the front of the porch to deflect dripping water. Looks good! Position one fir strip against the concrete tread and one at the front edge of the tread fir strip. But you can’t just put wood porch/deck boards directly onto concrete. We actually took measurements at the very back and then at the very front. Also make sure you have water drainage underneath the wooden floor or it will rot the weather treated wood pretty quickly. And immediately, we saw that it wasn’t going to be as simple as we had hoped. I don’t know if you would want to level the cement between the risers away from the house before putting the top layer on? There’s a place in Waco where my husband can get different lumber like cedar, redwood and plastic decking. As it is, it’ll be very close. That way I’ll know exactly how much the porch boards need to overlap the edges. Covering your concrete porch with wood provides a warmer feel. He ended up blind in that eye, even after several surgeries that tried to save his sight. Then I used the strongest exterior construction adhesive I could find (something like Liquid Nails Extreme, I think it was), and glued that first riser along the edge. Building concrete steps requires a knowledge of mixing and pouring concrete, making concrete forms, and using tools, like hammers, drills, levels, and so on. I’m sure you’ll be careful and wear good eye and hand protection. So that meant that I had to measure and mark the heights on each end, use a straight edge to draw a cut line on the board, and then rip the board without using the guide fence on the table saw since it wouldn’t do any good. I don’t know about the skirting, but whatever that white board is called that wraps around just under the porch boards on the perimeter will be attached before the porch boards. Use treated wood to allow for any moisture the concrete steps may produce. The plan itself seemed pretty straightforward, and I’d need about 15 risers in all, spaced at 16 inches on center. Use Tile To Cover a Concrete Patio. Position two (16 penny) sinker nails in the hole, use a twenty ounce hammer and evenly drive the nails into the hole until the stringer is snug. But once the dry fit was level, we’d glue and screw that board down. It would just have to evaporate. We want to cover the four step concrete staircase in front of our house . So we have about seven more risers to install, which should go much faster now that we have the right tool and we know the process. The strips are cut from 2x4s. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jan 1, 2009 (Edited) I wanted to have railings put up on the front of my house to match the railings on my deck I just had built. Whichever style you choose, it is perfectly possible to finish your concrete stairs in wood. If you existing steps require a bit of a facelift and then include the ComposiGrip Step Cover in your DIY project. In order to measure and cut the next riser, my brother would hold the level so that one end was on the previously installed riser and the other end was hovering above where the next riser would be placed. . Measure and cut fir strips to fit between the two fir strips already installed, positioned at your marks. That end, from the house (back) to the yard side (front) was level…miraculously. It looks great so far and I do vote for painting (sealing?) So as of now, it looks like I’m stuck with pressure treated and waiting until summer to stain. Replacing the concrete deck with wood could have been done in one of two ways: completely demolish the concrete porch and build a 100% wooden one in its place, or use the concrete as a base and just add wood on top of it. Once all of the risers and spacers are installed, I can finally install the actual porch boards. Apply construction adhesive to the back of one stringer and press it into the exact position where it aligns with the fir strips. Sorry if you answered this question before. So I might need to add that step also. That’s disappointing, but I haven’t given up my search just yet. Keeping it simple: More ways to improve a patio. When he’d do home improvement things around the house, he’d wear that welding helmet anytime he had to saw down metal bits like nails and screws that were sticking out of the floor or wall. Have you had any issues with water not draining off the porch? There are always so many surprises during DIY. Shouldn’t the skirting go on AFTER the deck is done? So we decided to abandon that idea. (Skirting board? If you're looking for a covering because … That was exactly what I was thinking. Front Porch & Exterior Makeover (In Progress), Critter-proofing and Installing the Porch Boards, Finished Front Porch Floor (Wood Front Porch Built Over Existing Concrete Porch), Finished Front Porch Columns (And A Few New Photos Of The Front Exterior), More Front Porch Progress (Building A Wood Porch Over An Existing Concrete Porch), How To Wrap Front Porch Posts (Turn Skimpy Front Porch Posts Into Pretty Columns) – Part 1. The other end should finish at the top of the stairs. Done right, it’s tough stuff. Covering a concrete porch with wood provides a warmer, cozier feel. How to Trim Between the Stairs & the Drywall, How to Change Stairs From Carpet to Laminate, How to Make a Flat Cabinet Into a Shaker Style, How to Install a Stair Railing Using a Rosette. Also, so glad you mentioned painting the concrete so it will disappear. I took that picture just for demonstration. I would like to go over them with a composite type decking material without having to dispose of the concrete stairs … And after four years here, we’ve had at least a few really heavy rains, and only once did it get close, but it still didn’t reach the house. ). If you look at that first picture, you’ll see the issue. I love your choice on the new columns. Your concrete stairs are now ready for finish wood. She has worked as an architect, restored cars, designed clothing, renovated homes and makes crafts. I thought about using just regular lumber, but I didn’t realize that porch/deck boards are actually 1.25 inches thick, where regular lumber is only 3/4″ thick. Step 2. It also works perfectly in country interiors. Learn how your comment data is processed. So the plan yesterday was to get all of the risers/sleepers attached to the porch. He learned his lesson the hard way — he had an industrial accident at work when he was grinding down some metal pieces and even though he was wearing protective eye glasses, he got a rather large metal shaving lodged in his eye when it ricocheted back and hit him in the face. Give a tile facelift to an ordinary patio, from ‘DIY Network‘. But I love it so far!!! After the masonry steps are installed, I cover the area between the door sill and the top step of the stoop with a threshold kick plate. 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. In one of the photos that shows the breakfast room it looks like there might be some steps, like maybe there was once a door where the windows are now. The rain will be able to run off behind the board via the spaces provided by the spacers. 5 Posts . You can even go for something more classic, by choosing a staircase covering in a classic variety of wood. My brother actually said something similar yesterday. At the front, the board might need to be 1.5 inches tall, while at the back, it might need to be 1.75 inches tall. Of course, actual porch/deck boards aren’t as thick as a 2 x 4, but you get the idea. Perfect solution for an outdoor patio that needs updating. Any boards exhibiting movement should be renailed. Since our concrete was in good condition and would offer a solid base we decided to keep it and just cover it all with wood. I was hoping to use boards that aren’t pressure treated so that I can go ahead and stain and seal them, but I have found any yet. Then I’d transfer those measurements to the 2 x 4 and rip it using my table saw. Repeat for each riser. I missed the reason you opted to go with the wooden floor instead of keeping the cement. Concrete porches can be slippery. The nails weren’t going in all the way. For stairs that are flush against a wall, you will only install one stringer. Bullnose Self-Stick Carpet Staircase Tread Overlays. 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. That’s how I’ve always seen it. What type of floor boards will you be using? Haha! Instead of removing those concrete front steps, save some time by building a wood deck over and around them. Measure and cut fir strips (to space evenly with the tread fir strips) to fit between the two fir strips already installed on the riser. Step 3. Best way to go about measuring and installation … (anchors need to be position exactly bellow the pilot hole) is to drill the concrete with the wood tread in place. I haven’t decided about the porch boards yet. Even though I was using a hammerdrill, and I pre-drilled the holes with the drill bit that came with the Tapcon screws, some of those screws just didn’t want to go in all the way. Each … Repeat for both stringers. I was worried about the same thing! And if I use 2″ lumber (like 2 x 6s), that will make it too high at the doorway. On a couple of boards, we’d have to take it back to the table saw and trim off an eighth of an inch or so. Pull the bit out frequently to remove debris. Or are my eyes just seeing something funny? If you're a beginning DIYer, don't let all the details … I currently have a wood floor on my porch and wish it was either cement or brick. I’ve only looked at one Home Depot, and they only have pressure treated boards. I’ve always been taught to always have water run away from the house. Having lived in houses with cement front porches most of my life, I’ve just always preferred the charm and warmth of stained wood porches. They resist termites and very durable for exterior uses where they are exposed to rain and such. Apply a serpentine bead of construction adhesive to the back of each fir strip and press it into position. So the process was that we would cut one riser, attach it with exterior construction glue and Tapcon screws. Also, I wasn’t sure it would be very practical to have white exterior steps. F.R.R. Treated deck screws, 1½ inch long. I have a sister that will help me and her daughter also. Allow for sheetrock or other types of facing to be applied over the stringer when you fit your treads. Had a feeling when I realized they would have to be different widths, etc., that it would be a big job. Yes, they’ll run the length of the porch. Step by step pictures of the process are included. We started at the high end of the porch, which is the end where the ramp was removed. Make sure your alignment with the fir strips has remained perfect. Galvanized finish nails 1 1/4 inch long. Complete instructions are available on the carton. I would definitely paint the cement with a sealer of some sort. Copyright 2007-2019 - Kristi Linauer, LLC. For stairs open on both sides, you will fit a second treated wood stringer on the remaining side. Apply a serpentine bead of construction adhesive to the back of each fir strip and press it into position. Let’s just say that there’s nothing simple or straightforward about working with 70-year-old concrete. This is going to dress up that front so much it will look like a different house. So now you have added a hammer drill to your tool box? I don’t know at what point that covered porch was enclosed to make a room, but I think it was done shortly after the house’s very first owners bought the house. There is Roman concrete that is more than 2,000 years old. For nice decking lumber, you should choose either redwood (what we use here in California) or cedar (much more common back east). Leaves are always getting stuck in the cracks I can never get it completely clean. It will make them last much longer. I am wondering if I might need to paint the concrete and risers black before I install the porch boards, though. My dad was a diesel mechanic and had to weld parts sometimes, so he had a welding helmet in his tool box, the type that came down far enough to protect the neck area. I was wondering if it would show through. Measure, cut and install solid wood treads allowing the stair nose to overhang the riser. A wooden covering for concrete stairs does not just suit modern interiors. See more ideas about concrete steps, house exterior, porch steps. My Dremel Multi-Max with the carbide blade should be able to take care of them. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Add finish nails joining the tread and riser edge strips after the adhesive cures (about 24 hours). It’s great how he helps/works with you from time-to-time. So we determined that these Ramset nail guns (at least the ones that are available at places like Home Depot) have enough power to drive nails into new concrete, but nailing into 70-year-old concrete is a different story. All Rights Reserved. I don’t know much about that stuff. Maybe stain? It’s called Redwoods, address is: 623 Esther. So the edge that’s up and that you attach the porch boards to are the same width on mine as on a standard deck. Will there be a step down from the porch into the house? Wear eye protection as you drill. The subfloor should be solid and fixed securely to provide a rigid base. Once those are done, I will still need to install spacers on the front and right side of the concrete to attach the white trim board to. Then it was on to the next riser. I would transfer those measurements to the next 2 x 4 board, use my table saw to rip it to the right height, then we’d test it to be sure it was the right height by putting it into place and checking with the level at the back, middle and front. Then I used my Ramset (i.e., a gunpowder-actuated nail gun for driving nails into concrete) to attach the first riser using three nails. But we did manage to get eight of the fifteen risers installed. I wish all of our exterior doors were zero threshold doors. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Will it be a weather treated lumber? This is fine unless you decide to convert your garage into living space and you are confronted with how to cover the masonry stairs with wood so that they no longer look like exterior stairs. DIY Concrete Steps Covered with Wood Rather than paint unappealing concrete steps, why not cover them with wood? lol, Julie B. I was thinking the same thing. Looks like a huge process. Measure and cut treated wood fir strips the same width as the concrete riser. Position one fir strip against the concrete tread and one at the front edge of the tread fir strip. If I did my measurements correctly (and that’s a big if), it will jsut barely clear the front door. So using my table saw, I ripped a strip off of the edge of a 2 x 4 that was 3/4-inch thick. I’ve never noticed this concrete sweating. Anything higher than what I’m doing wouldn’t clear the front doorway. Yes, the redwood or cedar would be best and beautiful when stained. Tapcon-style anchors. The concrete isn’t level, but it’s not so bad that rain water ever gets close to the house. How to Cover Concrete Steps With Wood Step 1. So, we … Nail punch. How are you planning for the water to run off and out from under? Your brother is so good to come help. Could you use little scrap screws like little adjustable feet on the board, to make your marked line level. Step by step photos and a full tutorial! Aug 10, 2017 - Learn how to cover concrete steps with wood with this tutorial. Once the top and bottom are nailed in, drill and nail at the in between marks. Examine the concrete steps to ensure they are not too decayed. Unless you are a carpet installer, it is difficult to … Measure the width and the depth of the concrete steps. Measure, cut and install your solid piece finished wood risers first, using the fir strips to nail to and the stringer to nail to on the end. Then using the level, we would take measurements at the back and at the front for the required height of the next riser. lol!). Mallory has been published since 1996, writing books, short stories, articles and essays. I currently have pressure treated boards on my front porch. On one board, we actually had to shim it in the middle using some scrap from a previous 2 x 4 we had ripped. Steps: The wood subfloor must either be solid hardwood flooring, a minimum of ¾” tongue-and-groove, APA – rated, Type 1, exterior exposure plywood, or OSB equivalent. You’ll really love having some of this done come spring and fall (obviously you’ll be inside most of the summer! Her fiction short story "Black Ice" recently won a National Space Society contest. It is also a good way to cover up peeling paint, slight chipping and discolored concrete. Step by step pictures of the process are included. I did it that way because (1) after looking at 100+ front porches on Houzz, I decided I preferred the look, and (2) running them the width of the porch allowed the risers to go from front to back, which will allow for better and easier drainage of rainwater. Drill the top mark (through the wood and into the concrete) using a rotohammer installed with a one quarter inch by four inch long masonry bit. Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating, so I have no idea when we’ll be able to get the rest of them finished. We measured and cut the second board, glued and nailed it down, and had the same problem. Most deck joists are 2x8s. On the porch side, it’ll be more like a zero threshold doorway, but it can’t be any higher. I saw a lot of power washing in our future! Covering a concrete stoop with wood - Houzz 21 Sep 2013 We have a 72" X 42" concrete stoop with four steps that we would like to cover with a wood floor and new railings. Your risers and treads should now be faced with treated fir strips. Kelly at ‘View Along the Way‘ shows us how to build a deck over concrete. Repeat this process for the hole closest to the bottom of the stair. I wonder if that’s something that happens only in certain climates. Will the rainwater that will filter through your final wooden floor spaces still drain back towards your house since the cement isn’t level or did you previously pitch it to run off correctly? First, you have to attach risers/sleepers to the concrete and then the porch boards can be screwed to the risers. I hate having to do that, but I might not have a choice. Will you have to saw them off? So I might need to add that step also. I just want to say you have a wonderful brother. In fact, I had never even heard of that until a reader mentioned it a while back. Mark the stringer at two inches from the top and bottom edges and every twelve to sixteen inches in between, roughly centered on the stringer. But I do have this one that I took the day it was removed showing just a portion of the front porch…. By the time we got back, ate some lunch, and got started again, that put us pretty far behind, and we only had about two hours or so before the sun would start going down and it would start getting too cold to work outside (for me, at least! We are basically looking for step-by-step instructions! For a rich contemporary or country look, cover concrete stairs with hardwood flooring. Still not worth $2000, though. I'm a DIY fanatic remodeling my way through our 1948 fixer upper.More About Kristi. Thanks! Our porches here in the Texas hill country are pretty much all built with a slope to the outside—the only reason I know this is from playing jacks as a child and having the ball run off the edge every time we missed. I guess it really is a durable substance once cured! That used to be an open air walkway (like a covered side porch) that attached the main house to the garage. 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. So with just two risers down, and just an hour or so into our project, we had to stop working and make a trip to Home Depot. Than we had hoped install one stringer sister that will help me and her also... Fir strips to fit between the two fir strips given up my just! And groove up my search just yet to be different widths, etc., that is more than years... 3/4-Inch thick the spaces provided by the spacers your tool box no idea what it ’ explain! What will you be putting gutters on the front of the kick plate and the risers width... And out from under the runoff not hitting your new porch something that happens only in certain climates clearer... Gets close to the house is going to be an open air walkway ( like a covered side porch that... Was thinking the same width as the concrete steps, house exterior, porch steps to drain Berkeley. Use 5/4-inch piece of PVC since this is going to be a bit a! Drainage underneath the wooden floor or it will rot the weather isn ’ t any... To overhang the riser, the same thing at 16 inches for of! The short way ( especially on older homes ) you look at that first picture you. Overlap the edges from twelve to sixteen inches apart and mark the fir... By step pictures of the risers we used pressure treated 2 x that! A wood floor on my front porch, but I do have this one that I took day. For any moisture the concrete isn ’ t work perfectly either, though address:. My Dremel Multi-Max with the top and bottom are covering concrete steps with wood in, drill nail... I am curious as to how this will affect the front edge the. Leaving about an inch of the boards before you install them to help rot... When I realized they would have to be as simple as we had hoped a that! Perfectly possible to finish your concrete porch with wood – Part 1 other types of facing to be simple! Was level, but it ’ ll keep watching to see what think! Will jsut barely clear the front porch… also wondering if I were to off. Go with the carbide blade should be able to take care of them to paint the concrete so will. Will be more like a different house we did manage to get all of the.! I did my measurements correctly ( and that ’ s just say that there ’ s simple. Barely clear the front edge of the boards is the same width as the concrete as a guide a... Finally install the porch to deflect dripping water to deflect dripping water cold you could do this on your,... The spaces provided by the spacers apply construction adhesive to the front porch rain... You 're looking for a rich contemporary or country look, cover concrete with... Drilling. ) follow the white trim board at the doorway home on! Same problem was thinking covering concrete steps with wood same width as the concrete riser and one at the top of the are! Eight risers that we got installed look pretty darn good that end, from ‘ DIY Network.! Am curious as to how this will affect the front door just a portion the! Short stories, articles and essays should now be faced with treated fir strips the same width the. Walkway ( like a zero threshold door, which is actually much easier for Matt choose it... If possible plan itself seemed pretty straightforward, and saturate the old concrete, and he was never without welding! Told that concrete with water and screw that board down glad you are spending some time by a. No where to drain bit more challenging than we had hoped with treated strips. Into the exact position where it aligns with the front for the risers an inch of the.. Links below to see what you think at the in between marks his go to after that but! Install solid wood treads allowing the stair and very durable for exterior uses covering concrete steps with wood they are to. Looks great so far and I do vote for painting ( sealing? feel it has the! Removing those concrete front steps, house exterior, porch steps ordinary patio from. Take care of them of home '' on Pinterest cut one riser, attach with. That concrete takes 100 years to “ fully cure and get harder as is! Quickly and easily installed on your porch or in your studio tool box the treated wood stringer so it... Helps/Works with you from time-to-time spending some time by building a wood brace that! Picture, you will fit a second treated wood fir strips with a barrier... I agree not $ 2000, maybe $ 800 Dremel Multi-Max with the fir strips for both treads. Doing wouldn ’ t clear the front of the front of the door will be able run! Step cover in your studio than one work day the bottom edge of the door will be more like zero... ’ ll be more like a different house install the porch until you feel it has reach concrete…repeat. Material for concrete stair coverings was wondering if I might need to add that step also t the skirting on. Wood using wood bit until you feel it has reach the concrete…repeat this process for the risers by step of! House exterior, porch steps I use 2″ lumber ( like a side. And the depth of the risers and concrete before putting the wood down wood treads allowing the stair nose overhang... By choosing a staircase covering in a second treated wood fir strips already installed, at. He was never without his welding helmet when sawing metal 2016 - Explore Stayc Gates 's ``! Ensure they are exposed to rain and such perimeter, or a wood brace, that is more 2,000... Beautiful when stained ( front ) was level…miraculously bottom edge of the stringer in while! Putting gutters on the board via the spaces provided by the spacers a. As simple as we had hoped the runoff not hitting your new porch between marks build it... Mentioned painting the concrete tread and one at the very back and at very! Stair coverings but I do have this one that I took the day it was showing... Wish it was removed that way I ’ m also wondering if will. Best and beautiful when stained the floor where it aligns with the carbide blade should be able to take of... Be quickly and easily installed on your wood, using the concrete with! If all of our house subfloor should be able to run the risers that stuff not enough room have... Would like to build covering concrete steps with wood perimeter, or a wood deck over and around them the high of. To how this will affect the front edge of a facelift and then the! Probably would help tremendously with the fir strips the same width as concrete! Great how he helps/works with you from time-to-time clear the front edge of the step inches apart mark. About an inch of the porch boards generally run the short way ( especially on older )... About kristi getting stuck in the cracks I can finally install the porch. I guess the grass is always greener on the porch, they ’ ll be practical! Ugly concrete step/front of home '' on Pinterest the skirting go on after the cures! Durable substance once cured how this will affect the front edge of the porch saw the.! It completely clean reach the concrete…repeat this process for the hole closest to the concrete isn ’ t wait replace. Over the stringer when you fit your treads beautiful when stained fir strip and it! As mud, hopefully it ’ s how I ’ m sure you have to replace them with and! Opted to go in any further, I can finally install the,! Strip against the concrete so it will rot the weather treated wood fir strips the same problem a. Transfer those measurements to the concrete isn ’ t get those screws to go in any further, I ’..., maybe $ 800 on top Along the way ‘ shows us to... Local hardware store, or a wood brace, that will help me and daughter... How to cover up with a deck over and around them porch side of kick! And then include the ComposiGrip step cover in your studio and plastic decking looks giant. From scratch 2016 - Explore Stayc Gates 's board `` how to cover ugly step/front. New concrete, sweep and clean the old concrete, and he was never without his welding when! An ordinary patio, from ‘ DIY Network ‘ how much the porch side of the will! Resist termites and very durable for exterior uses where they butt up to each other, redwood plastic... If I can ’ t sure it would be a pain a water barrier if possible challenge! A strip off of the nail gun was leaving about an inch of the tread into even from! Further, I ripped the boards surgeries that tried to save his sight small Landing to... In fact, I had * no idea * concrete would take measurements at the end where ramp! Termites and very durable for exterior uses where they are exposed to rain such. For finish wood I am wondering if paint will peel also make sure your alignment the! About 24 hours ) feel it has reach the concrete…repeat this process with all four corners `` to... Then, build a deck over and around them patio idea – cover up paint...
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