Adding a step to this front porch--granite? Or decking material? (vinyl, refinish)
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I have a somewhat ugly concrete front porch (picture #1) that is "too high" (11") to just step up to comfortably. Reason is that when they poured the asphalt for the driveway, for some reason the asphalt slopes downward 1 or 2 inches lower leading up to the porch. So since I bought the house, I've been using a little step-stool that's about 9" high.
I had a couple of different landscape guys look at it--they both suggested a granite step, or stoop in front of the porch. And they'd cut into the asphalt to get it situated properly. For between $300 & $550. Problem was, I couldn't either one to show up to do the work.
Oh, & the asphalt near the porch, besides sloping down towards the porch, it also slants down a bit from right to left. A guy doing a ton of work on the house next door said he could build a step out of the kind of decking material (shown in the 2nd photo, from my 2nd entryway) for around $240. To be about 36" wide & either 10 3/4" or 16 1/4" deep. (2, or 3, of the decking planks). I can't figure out how he could make it level, both from front to back, & L. to R.; both sloping? But he does good work.
I'm also thinking the front step should be more like 14 1/2" deep instead of 10 3/4", just for more stability, this is the entryway that I use to bring in supplies, etc. Any advice? I could keep looking for someone to install a granite step, but this guy is still working next door this coming week, so he could do it then he says.
Since the porch already has a brick border- I'd stick with brick.
Besides, a mason can "cheat" the height, course, and levelness with the mortar. As much as I like granite for steps (they'll last 3-4 lifetimes)- there will be too many different materials in your situation.
I'd match what is there already, cinder block base with the brick top. The decking wouldn't match anything at all and just make it look out of place. Make sure the moisture is addressed before you do anything, dig out and put a proper base and backfill for drainage.
Since the porch already has a brick border- I'd stick with brick.
Besides, a mason can "cheat" the height, course, and levelness with the mortar. As much as I like granite for steps (they'll last 3-4 lifetimes)- there will be too many different materials in your situation.
I would just get a pre-made concrete step and stick it in there. They do not cost much. It would match the concrete porch. And you can install in in an hour.
Since the porch already has a brick border- I'd stick with brick.
Besides, a mason can "cheat" the height, course, and levelness with the mortar. As much as I like granite for steps (they'll last 3-4 lifetimes)- there will be too many different materials in your situation.
^^ this would look nice -- and I would add a cement sidewalk as well, even if a short one.
I'd match what is there already, cinder block base with the brick top. The decking wouldn't match anything at all and just make it look out of place. Make sure the moisture is addressed before you do anything, dig out and put a proper base and backfill for drainage.
1. Can you elaborate on the "dig out and put a proper base and backfill for drainage"? Dig out some of the asphalt?
2. The problem with trying to match the old concrete porch with the row of bricks--besides trying to find a mason to do a brick step?--is that that porch is not only ugly, but it doesn't really match anything else on the house anymore. The porch dates back to when the house was built in the early '60's I think; while almost everything else on the exterior has been updated: new-ish vinyl siding, replacement windows, roofing, soffits, storm doors, etc.
I had wondered if trying to cover the porch with the kind of grey decking material would work? Probably a lot of pitfalls with that? Or getting the concrete refinished or stained?
Plus, the asphalt walkway is ugly. A hardscape guy said about $6K for a new paver walkway, granite step, & some landscaping around it all. I've seen his work, it's beautiful. But the house is worth maybe $375K, so $6K seems extravagant.
Q.--If I went with the grey decking material step--given the un-levelness of the asphalt in front of the porch--is it practical to think they could make it really level? He said he could "fasten it" to the porch somehow. Thing is--they're around this week, working on the house next door--major remodel--(& those neighbors aren't stupid--they're the ones who picked that hardscape co. to do a beautiful patio).
And I'd have a 36" wide step, for $240.....as opposed to that little rubber step-stool in one of the photos......also this is in NH; I'd love to have it done before another Winter....
I have a somewhat ugly concrete front porch (picture #1) that is "too high" (11") to just step up to comfortably. Reason is that when they poured the asphalt for the driveway, for some reason the asphalt slopes downward 1 or 2 inches lower leading up to the porch. So since I bought the house, I've been using a little step-stool that's about 9" high.
I had a couple of different landscape guys look at it--they both suggested a granite step, or stoop in front of the porch. And they'd cut into the asphalt to get it situated properly. For between $300 & $550. Problem was, I couldn't either one to show up to do the work.
Oh, & the asphalt near the porch, besides sloping down towards the porch, it also slants down a bit from right to left. A guy doing a ton of work on the house next door said he could build a step out of the kind of decking material (shown in the 2nd photo, from my 2nd entryway) for around $240. To be about 36" wide & either 10 3/4" or 16 1/4" deep. (2, or 3, of the decking planks). I can't figure out how he could make it level, both from front to back, & L. to R.; both sloping? But he does good work.
I'm also thinking the front step should be more like 14 1/2" deep instead of 10 3/4", just for more stability, this is the entryway that I use to bring in supplies, etc. Any advice? I could keep looking for someone to install a granite step, but this guy is still working next door this coming week, so he could do it then he says.
TIA for any feedback.
You have a very pretty and classic home. Several things could enhance your front area.
Red brick walkway could be integrated here because of that red brick trim. An additional step of red brick could take care of your slope and the irregular height at the main step as well. Another option could be a poured cement walkway trimmed in red brick. I have added a link with ideas for red brick walkways below.
The neighbor's handy man sounds reasonable....ask for an estimate. Maybe you could do a red brick step now coming off that existing step, and add more walkway later, next summer as you can afford it. You could use a driveway cleaner to clean off that concrete step and it would help also, or perhaps a skim coat of fresh cement.
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