A quick and budget friendly Do It Yourself Project to enlarge the front porch in one weekend
This front porch reno was actually so quick and easy I couldn't believe it was really that simple. Plus the porch looks bigger now. And we did it all for $150.00 and some sweat equity.
Taking out the old black front rail and adding new wider stair treads is actually stage 1 of my update. The second stage will happen in the Spring.
We will remove the wrought iron support post and side rail by adding some larger posts which will flank both sides of the porch. Plus add a new side rail and handrails to the stair.
But for now, here is a before of what it looked like.
With the front rail taken out.
Using stair treads bought at a local home improvement store, “G” shows how he removed enough of the concrete to allow the new treads to go right over it. He used muscle, and a grinder. He simply cut lines into the stairs and chiseled out what was needed.
We could have rented a jackhammer and completely removed the old stair but hubby wanted to use it as a mounting surface for one side.
All of the wood we used was pressure treated.
If you look closely, you will see a 2”x 8” backer board for the left side of the treads and risers. This is where he secured the left side.
Starting to look like a plan!
Below shows the new stair before stain and before “G” cut the left side down to match the 3” overhang we have on the right side. His wonderful (crappy) circular saw finally broke on us.
Something tells me he won’t be buying another Dewalt power tool again. He likes things that last more then 4 years.
Here is one coat of some leftover stain we had lying around.
The stain is still wet in some areas, today the temperature only hit 76 degrees.
I am seriously loving the dark brown, but it may need a second coat. I am giving it a week or so to ponder.
We have plenty of time before winter hits.
I hope!
Its is an absolute joy now walking up and down the stairs. They are evenly spaced in height and wider!
Cost for this project was just under $150.00 and that is the cost of the wood. The tools, stain and muscle we keep in stock here.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some front porch sitting to do.
