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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Cindy says
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?
Lisa says
The porch was wood before, but we ripped everything out down to the beams.
Barbara J. Price-Mills says
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?
Kathi says
Your steps and porch look beautiful!
Lisa says
Thank you so much!
Kathleen says
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!
Lisa says
Thank you so much Kathleen!
Dian says
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
Linda says
Yes, and the longer stairs across the front of the home make a very pleasant aesthetic
Lisa says
Thank you so much Linda!
Linda says
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.
Heather says
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! ?
Lisa says
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!
Ines says
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 !
Lisa says
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!
Katrina says
You really shouldn’t cover your concrete steps with wood, it rots the wood really fast.
Lisa says
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!
Amy says
Hi! Can you tell what material you used for the skirting around the house to cover the foundation?
Lisa says
Yes! 🙂 I have it linked in this post http://farmhouseonboone.com/farmhouse-on-boone/lowes-curb-appeal-makeover-farmhouse-porch-reveal/
Sonny Rodriguez says
Was the top of your new wood risers even with the top of the concrete steps? Also, how did you attached the stringers?
Rick Cochrane says
How did you connect the stair stringers to the concrete? And what supports them at the bottom of the steps?
Corinne says
Yes, more details on this please.
Pat says
Love the look
Sarah Plesich says
This looks great! How long did you wait before treating the wood? I’ve put a deposit on work to have my concrete stairs covered with treated pine porch and they are telling me to wait a year to paint it!
Lisa says
Oh wow! I haven’t heard that. We painted it within a week.
Julie says
Everyone here says wait a year to paint pressure treated or salt treated wood.
Ishika says
The curb appeal your house has now! Wow. This is truly beautiful. I love houses that start off as fixer-uppers and turn out to be best looking on the block with some time, love, and attention. Not to mention the elbow-grease. 😀
Cindy waller says
Just lovely, what youve done. Im in middle of restoration of my craftsman bungalow, which yours apoears to be also? I did opt to keep the porch columns tapered as originally built, but rotting and years of paint. Was there a soecific reason you didnt? Just curious…!
Lisa says
We didn’t just because we didn’t really know how to build new ones like the originals. The straight posts just seemed so much easier. I wish we could have salvaged the old ones, but they pretty much rotted out.
joejaramani says
I’m sure you can find awesome woodworking plans on woodprix website
Jennifer says
Hi we have all concrete steps for home entrance. I love your idea but my husband feels it is too complicated?. Do you have any other quick fixes. Help! Thank you so
Billp says
I only have two concrete steps, a landing just out the back door and then one step. All this sets on a concrete foundation . I can’t see in my mind how to build it with wider steps and not too high for my wife to step onto
Bill
Andi Presley says
Hello,
Very pretty !! Love !! We are currently fixing up our farmhouse and loved this idea . My husband was concerned about the moisture factor causing the boards to rot. Did you do anything to prevent this or have you had any problems with this ? Thanks for any advice you could give 🙂
Lisa says
We haven’t noticed any issues with this. We didn’t do anything to prevent it.
Gail says
I like the idea of covering our cement porch and step with wood. Our porch slopes, perhaps due to settling, and a wood porch would be a great solution. Now to persuade the guy who will be doing all the work….
Lisa says
Haha its hard to convince the guys sometimes! 😉
Judi says
Looks fantastic.
Lisa says
Thanks Judi!
Linda says
Do you know the rise and run on the steps before, when they were concrete, and after? My concrete steps are too steep and was wondering if covering in them could make them less severe? Looks like they are?
Susan says
It looks wonderful and we have a front verandah that is very similar to your porch, in South East Australia. But we will use a stained composite board as I have reached the age where each project is the last of its kind. Thanks for the great idea.
Lisa says
Thanks so much!
Sue Lewis says
Susan,
We are looking to do this using composite boards as well, for the same reason. 🙂
We will be covering a small concrete pad as well. Have you completed it yet? I would love to know how the composite worked for you.
Thank you,
Sue
Roger Rock says
This is amazing and very helpful tips on how to cover concrete steps with wood. Thank you for sharing this one!
Anne says
The difference is remarkable! I used to live in a farmhouse that had very badly worn concrete stairs – I would have definitely tried this solution. Love your blog!!
Malak Abdel-Hadi says
can you leave instructions on how you made the deck for the porch? you instructions for the steps were spot on! just need to know how you did the porch, please!
Jessica says
How did you set the posts in the ground? Did you set them in concrete?
Meredith says
Love, love, love this! I am unhandy but am going to build my wood steps this weekend! Thank you for sharing this and, hopefully, improving my curb appeal.
Wood Stairs Manufacturers says
Nicely done looks so much prestigious! thanks for sharing
Liz Green says
LOVE THIS!! And it’s so helpful…thank you! Our 116-year-old farmhouse has a curved concrete porch the goes from the front to the side, curious if this will work with it as the curve proves to be a bit tricky! Any tips?? I love this look, it’s just a dream…you did a great job!
Denise says
Wow! How beautiful. I can’t get over the difference. Great job!
KAY says
HIRED A MAN TO COVER CEMENT FRONT STEPS WITH WOOD HE HAS KJACKHAMMED A LOT OF THE CONCRETE DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT
John Lin says
Thanks for ur valuable post. It’s very useful to us.
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KAY COLLINS says
TO COVER CEMENT STAIRS WITH WOOND DO YOU JACKHAMMER CEMENT
Site says
WOW ! Nice job, steps look wonderful and really professionally done.
Great article!
Concrete Paving says
You guys really did a fantastic job on these steps. They really compliment the home in a big way. Good Job!
stephen field says
Absolutely love it,what a turn around!
How’s the wood weathered?
Genny Treacy says
Hey! I am obsessed with this whole thing. I have a huge concrete porch no steps. How would that work? Do I need padding or something underneath the wood? I would love to send you a picture.