How to finish front entrance steps?

BodgeJobsRUs

Hiho

The front of my house is all done, except for the entrance. Plumbing improvements were just finished (hence the drainage gravel) and it's the last job. 

Old, damaged concrete and bricks need updating, but I don't want to sacrifice more yard space toward the front. I would like to create steps up both sides. Also need to remain aware of ventilation bricks at the front. 

Any suggestions? Tiles? Decking? Paint? Concrete cutter?

Thanks. 

JacobZ

Hi @BodgeJobsRUs,

I'm glad to hear you're on to the last stages of the improvements to your home. Thank you for reaching out.

When you say you'd like to create steps up both sides, is that the left and right of the landing? Or the front as well? How high is the step up to the landing? It doesn't really seem like you'd need a step on the left side, but I could be wrong.

Have you thought about how you'd tie the path into the landing? Or were you just focused on the landing and steps?

Your plans for the wider area could certainly guide your approach to the landing and entrance. If you had a paved pathway leading up to the landing, you might finish the steps and landing by paving over them. If you built a low-level deck path, like a boardwalk, you might think about removing the landing altogether and replacing it with a deck.

If you were just looking to tidy up the landing and steps, I would start by having the landing slab cut back so it is flush with the brick on all sides. This would remove that damaged section of concrete at the front and tidy things up. You could do this yourself by hiring a Demolition Saw, but they are a pretty heavy-duty tool, so if you're not confident, it might be worth contacting a concrete cutting company for their assistance. If you'd like to give it a go yourself, make sure you wear gloves, long protective clothing, enclosed work shoes, preferably steel caps, hearing protection, eye protection and a mask.

You could then tile the landing with outdoor tiles. We have a limited selection of outdoor tiles, but our friends at Beaumont Tiles have a wide variety of Outdoor Tiles to choose from.

You could then paint the brick with exterior paint to freshen it up a bit.

These are just a few ideas that could help guide you, but there really are a number of options.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @AlanM52 and @ProjectPete to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob