Building wood steps over concrete steps made a huge impact for our farmhouse front porch renovation. Learn the process and materials we used to complete this project.
Covering concrete steps with wood
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.
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. Also, I wasn’t sure it would be very practical to have white exterior steps. I saw a lot of power washing in our future!
So, we decided to find a way to cover the concrete steps with wood. I knew this would make them look brand new, and allow us to use the exact same wood for the treads as we had used for the porch flooring.
We also decided to make the steps wider, to make for a more grand entrance.
The whole process of building wood steps over concrete porch steps was way easier than I expected, and made such a dramatic difference.
I have already had tons of questions about our new steps, since revealing our farmhouse front porch makeover a few weeks ago, so I decided it was time to give a few more details on the project.
Obviously all porches are a little different, so the measurements and process will vary slightly, but my hope is that, by sharing photos of the process, my dear readers, or your contractors, can mimic the process and recreate the same look for your concrete steps.
The process
To begin this project, we purchased a couple of 4-Step Stair Stringers to put on the outside of the old steps. To make our stairs wider, we placed them about a foot out on either side of the stairs. We screwed four 1″ by 8″ treated yellow pine boards into the front of the stringers to create the new wood risers.
We ran the new wooden railings, which we used to replace the iron ones that were there before, just inside the new wood steps. The goal was to have the 6″ by 6″ beam at the bottom of the railing line up with 6″ by 6″ porch support beam at the top.
I’m so glad we did, too, because I feel like it really opens the porch up and makes it look larger!
More photos
Here are more photos to give you a better idea of the process, and how everything was laid out before adding the treads.
For the treads, we used the same yellow pine deck board as we used for the porch floor.
On the first step, we had to trim one of the tread boards to 6″ wide, so there wouldn’t be too much overhang. For the rest of the treads, the we pushed excess underneath the previous riser.
I know my husband will make fun of me if he reads this post, because I grabbed my sewing measuring tape, instead of a proper tape measure. But, you get the point about the top treads. And if you look closely to the bottom right of the photo, you can see how we pushed the tread on the second step underneath the riser above it.
Finishing up
The 1″ by 6″ Treated Pine Deck Boards on the bottom step had to be cut to fit around the bottom railing beam.
After the wood risers and treads were all screwed in, we finished the outsides with the same Plytanium Siding Panel that we used for the porch skirting. We cut it into the same shape as the stringers, except extended it all the way to the ground.
I like that it looks seamless with the rest of the porch skirting, as if they were always wood.
To finish the project off, we painted the risers with Valspar White Semi-Gloss Exterior Paint and stained the treads with Olympic Maximum Transparent Deck Stain in Canyon Brown.
I am so glad we went this route for our farmhouse front porch makeover. I venture to say it is the one thing in the renovation that made the most impact.
What do you think? Is this a project you would try? Let me know in the comments below. And thanks for stopping by the farmhouse!
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How did you connect the stair stringers to the concrete? And what supports them at the bottom of the steps?
Yes, more details on this please.
Hi! Can you tell what material you used for the skirting around the house to cover the foundation?
Yes! 🙂 I have it linked in this post http://farmhouseonboone.com/farmhouse-on-boone/lowes-curb-appeal-makeover-farmhouse-porch-reveal/
Was the top of your new wood risers even with the top of the concrete steps? Also, how did you attached the stringers?
how do you think the rotting factor will be since covering concrete with wood. do you fear moisture getting underneath causing the wood to premature rot and lastability?
thanks!
this is what I want to know. I am going to be doing a similar project
That is the best transformation i have ever seen. I really never had an idea that You could cover the cement stairs porch into the wooden one. And you changed the columns which made a huge difference and expanded the width of stairs.. Really impressive. Amazing change ! I came across your channel on youtube .. sauercraut 🙂 i was immediately impressed just how professional your videos are.. the way you spoke.. and here i am looking for your website. thumbs up !
Thank you so much, Ines! I’m so glad you found me over there on YouTube. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet comment. SO encouraging!
You really shouldn’t cover your concrete steps with wood, it rots the wood really fast.
I love how you covered the concrete stairs, I’ve been wanting to do this with mine as well, do you have an estimate on what just the step project costs? I’m trying to see if this is budget-friendly! ?
Hmmm I would have to think about that one. I really don’t feel like the supplies for this were very pricey at all. It is hard for me to know for sure, since we did the whole porch project at one time. If you can do the work yourself, it is very economical!
Yes, and the longer stairs across the front of the home make a very pleasant aesthetic
Thank you so much Linda!
I had this same idea in my head for my old chipped concrete steps. I am so glad I found your instructions. Now I know I am going to do it. I have 4 steps just like your. Thank you so much.
When I saw your pics of your home I thought that’s my house. I have always been troubled with our front porch. I did give it a face lift this summer. I like the way you covered the steps. Also your original front door is like ours. I did move our door to a closet door.
Our home was my grandmother’s. I have lived here with my husband for almost 46 years.
Thank you for your post!
Dian
Just love how the wood steps look! AND that beautiful new front door!!!
I think the changes make the front elevation of your home look just stunning! They made a monumental difference in the look of your home!
Thank you so much Kathleen!
Your steps and porch look beautiful!
Thank you so much!
Was the foundation concrete that you covered in the wood siding to match, and was your porch already wood or did it also start out concrete?
The porch was wood before, but we ripped everything out down to the beams.
I’m curious about your home’s area weather, do you have snow / cold weather? I want to do this but we live in CT and I’m worried about ice expansion popping the wood off the concrete. I’m thinking about trying anyway…your thoughts?