Workshop
Ask a question

The Bunnings Workshop community can help with your home improvement projects.

How to finish front entrance steps?

BodgeJobsRUs
Growing in Experience

How to finish front entrance steps?

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. 

1000006196.jpg

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: At a loss with front entrance

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

 

AlanM52
Amassing an Audience

Re: How to finish front entrance steps?

Hi @BodgeJobsRUs,

 

I am thinking to remove the landing slab and do the modular decking thing.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/building-hardware/timber/decking/modular-decking

 

Cheers

 

 

BodgeJobsRUs
Growing in Experience

Re: How to finish front entrance steps?

Hi 

 

Yeah looking at it again I might do that. Take it down to the ventilation bricks then new bit of concrete (fancied up with some tile) to level it all out, and then a small step up to the front door. 

 

Thanks for your input. 

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: How to finish front entrance steps?

Sounds good @BodgeJobsRUs.

 

If you need any help along the way, please let us know.

 

Also, don't forget to upload some pics when you're done. It would be great to see what you come up with.

 

Jacob

 

BodgeJobsRUs
Growing in Experience

Re: At a loss with front entrance

Hiya

I'd like to do steps to both sides, because the front gate opens immediately onto an easement which the neighbours use as their driveway. I park around the back. Two kids under 5 and a big Ute moving at speed stresses me out, so I'm planning to use the path along the side of the house as a path to and from car and garden. 

 

I'm thinking of doing a variation of what AlanM suggested, but I also like the idea of a boardwalk. Only thing that makes me hesitate is maintenance of timber because that gets a *lot* of direct sun. 

BodgeJobsRUs
Growing in Experience

Re: How to finish front entrance steps?

Now I just need a jack hammer, a crowbar and some muscles. 

Why join the Bunnings Workshop community?

Workshop is a friendly place to learn, get ideas and find inspiration for your home improvement projects