statley kitsch
I need another project like I need a hole in the head, but honestly we/I have to do something about our front stoop. Replacing the front steps was the first thing on our to-do list when we moved in (5 years ago), but over the years priorities have shifted, and the front steps keep moving further and further down the ol’ to-do list. We did do our darnedest to repair the steps four years ago when we realized how much it would cost to replace the concrete (2-3 grand at minimum). I was super pregged up at the time, and Jeff patched the front steps with a help of our neighbor. It held up for another year, which is what we expected, and anticipated replacing them soon after that. It’s been years now, and the front stoop is now such an eye sore and embarrassment.
We’ve got the basement project eating up so much of our summer and our money, but I don’t think the steps can be ignored any longer. I need to come up with a plan for the steps and I’m thinking the best option would to be to replace them with some purty wooden steps (exactly like the ones pictured above). I could expand the width and deck of the steps by a foot or two, and make it real-a-nice. Anyway, I’m headed out to do some decking research today – anyone with advice you better send it my way! I’m honestly terrified of tackling this one :-/
The second phase of this project (of course there is a second phase) would be to replace the front screen door as well. It’s been lilting at an angle ever since we’ve moved in. It’s something to do with how the door hangs in it’s frame and after many failed attempts I haven’t been able to fix it. I’m planning on heading out to the salvage shop sometime over the next few weeks and searching for a vintage screen door that would match the age of the home, and hopefully won’t cost me too many dineros. Some new house numbers, hardware, and a screen-door-mailbox-situation wouldn’t hurt either.
We demolished our terrible sunken concrete steps last year and replaced with wood as the first step in making the outside of our house look less like a crack den. It was SUCH a good choice. We widened them quite a bit from what they were originally and it’s so much more welcoming and pretty now. You will definitely not regret it.
Did you guys DIY your steps?? If so, did you have any good internet resources that you’d mind sharing with me??? Please & Thank You!
They weren’t really a DIY. My father in law is a contractor, so he planned them and we “helped” build. The railings and posts are almost just like your inspiration picture. It was kind of a complicated project because he made each of the stringers (the supports for the steps) different to compensate for the wonkiness of our old house. But if your entry area is less wonky than our 100 year old porch, you might be able to use pre-made stringers, which would make it a lot simpler.
We’ve replaced our front storm door…twice. The first time I was all dreamy and unrealistic. Our door faces south. We purchased a beautiful wooden door with removable screen and glass. The sun just killed it. I could not keep it stained (even with spar-eurethane intended for boats) and varnished from season to season. We just had an emco aluminum door installed. While it isn’t beautiful, it is growing on me. Good luck. I love the inspiration door.
I didn’t know that the sun took such a beating on wooden screen doors, Lauralou. Do you think it would have made a difference if you would have painted it? That’s such a bummer. Our front door is only in late afternoon sun so hopefully it will be able to take the rays.
Hey I know that house! ;) We had the contractor put on gray trex and white azek for the base (right over the existing concrete steps). That part was pretty economical (and durable). The expensive part was the trex handrail (which is one of the only systems with hidden hardware)! You could do it in wood for a lot less but have to keep after the paint. A wood screen door should hold up fine if you are painting it. The other nice thing about the wood door is you can cut it to fit (speaking from someone with a super wonky front door). Good luck!
We replaced some very ill-conceived steps the previous owner concocted (it was wooden frames filled with dirt with grass planted in and some landscaping rocks for good measure) with wood steps after getting a concrete quote and freaking. We used the pre-made risers to help us with the shape, and they were hugely helpful. Our steps sort of wrap around so there’s a large landing on the top and the steps go around the other three sides. Our whole project only took a day, and it cost probably $200 in materials. It really wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Best of luck to you!
Hey Lindsey! Why do people do such crazy things to their houses??? Thanks for leaving a comment, this is reassuring and encouraging to me – I was going to look at Trex as well check out the pre-fab stringers. Now if only I could find the time …