can i put wood over concrete steps

by Sigurd Reinger Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Concrete steps may serve their purpose, but they are not the most attractive looking steps. You can spice up their appearance by adding some wood planks on top of them. The layer of wood you place over the top of the concrete steps can also make them stronger.

Can you build wood steps over concrete steps?

May 12, 2020 · Can I put wood over concrete steps? Cut enough boards of 1-by-4 treated lumber to run a row every 16 inches from the house to the front edge of the porch... Attach the two outside battens to the porch, using tapcon-style anchors.

How do you attach treated wood to concrete steps?

Jul 21, 2017 · 1. Measure and cut treated wood fir strips with a table saw, the same width as the concrete tread. Position one fir strip against the concrete riser and one at …

How do you finish concrete stairs with wood?

Mar 26, 2018 · Have an ugly concrete step and porch? Try this method to beautify the entrance to your home!

How much plywood do I need to cover concrete steps?

Can you put wood over concrete steps? Concrete steps may serve their purpose, but they are not the most attractive looking steps. You can spice up their appearance by adding some wood planks on top of them. The layer of wood you place over the top of the concrete steps can also make them stronger. Should you nail or screw stair treads?

What can I use to cover concrete steps?

For a basic solution to drab concrete stairs, paint them. Epoxy-based paints are available for covering concrete in one coat. The clear sealant prevents oil or latex paint from soaking into the concrete. Apply the sealant first and allow it to dry completely before adding your favorite color to the stairs.

How do you make old concrete steps look better?

You can simply repaint it, add bricks, tiles, wood panels or decorative stones. Also you can place plants, lanterns and other decorative details at your front steps. All these steps can give a whole new look to your resurface concrete patio.Jan 19, 2021

Can you put decking over concrete steps?

Yes. In most cases you can lay composite decking over concrete (keeping in mind you'll have to build a substructure that allows airflow and drainage). In fact, concrete surfaces can provide a dry, durable, and stable area that's essentially ideal for composite decking.

Can you cover concrete with wood?

Covering your concrete porch with wood provides a warmer feel. Covering a concrete porch with wood provides a warmer, cozier feel. It is also a good way to cover up peeling paint, slight chipping and discolored concrete. Whatever your reasons, adding a wood floor to your concrete porch is a fairly simple operation.

Can old concrete be resurfaced?

Concrete resurfacing is a way to make old concrete look new again. A concrete coating is applied over the existing surface, offering a variety of color, texture and pattern options. This type of decorative refinishing can be done on driveways, patios, pool decks and even indoor floors.

Can you cover concrete steps with pavers?

It's possible, and totally doable, to cover old concrete with pavers. There's just a few caveats: #1: Your surface needs to be intact and solid. If you have a crumbling surface, this project won't work without some extra prep work.

What should I put between wood and concrete?

Anyplace where wood meets the ground or concrete, the lumber must be pressure treated. For additional moisture protection, a gasket or strip of closed-cell foam can be installed between the concrete foundation and the sill plate.

Can you put wood decking on top of concrete?

An existing concrete patio will make your deck installation much easier and faster, and you can install your deck directly onto the concrete. You will want to account for water drainage and material expansion/contraction, so it is best to place boards called 'sleepers' underneath the deck.Jun 17, 2021

How do you attach wood to concrete?

The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a . 22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete.

How do you cover unsightly concrete?

Paint your cement patio. Paint is an inexpensive and simple way to make an ugly cement patio more appealing. ...
Tile the patio. ...
Conceal the cement patio with modular wood tiles. ...
Lay pavers.

Can pressure treated wood go directly on concrete?

Wood in direct contact with concrete, and the dampness often found there, will rapidly decay. To avoid this, use pressure-treated lumber. This is wood impregnated with decay-resisting chemicals, usually chromated copper arsenates.Mar 27, 1988

Can you put wood over concrete outside?

But you can't just put wood porch/deck boards directly onto concrete. First, you have to attach risers/sleepers to the concrete and then the porch boards can be screwed to the risers.Feb 13, 2018

What happens if you replace concrete steps?

Replace the concrete steps if you find them riddled with cracks and other imperfections that may cause them to buckle.

What to do if concrete steps are broken?

Examine the concrete steps to ensure they are not too decayed. If the concrete steps are in disrepair, the wood may break along with the concrete steps. Replace the concrete steps if you find them riddled with cracks and other imperfections that may cause them to buckle.

How to glue wood slats together?

Place weights on top of the wood slats to help the glue bond. Leave the weights on for as long as it takes the wood to thoroughly dry. Continue attaching and weighing down the wood slats on all of the steps.

Can you cover concrete steps with wood?

Concrete steps may serve their purpose, but they are not the most attractive looking steps. You can spice up their appearance by adding some wood planks on top of them. The layer of wood you place over the top of the concrete steps can also make them stronger.

How to repair missing edges of concrete?

To repair missing edges, make a wooden form to hold the concrete in place while it sets.

How to reduce concrete in a mold?

Fill in the lower areas in the back of the mold with crushed limestone to reduce the amount of concrete you must use.

Can you put stone over concrete?

Similarly, can you put stone over concrete steps? Laying pavers over concrete steps is not difficult, but you must set them in mortar to keep them in place. Plan to lay pavers over both the face and surface of the steps.

Can you put wood over concrete steps?

The layer of wood you place over the top of the concrete steps can also make them stronger. You must use a hardwood (like pine), though, or you will soon see plenty of wear and tear on the new steps. Covering your concrete steps with wood can add protection and beauty to your steps. Click to see full answer.

How to install fir treads?

Measure and cut fir strips (to space evenly with the tread fir strips) to fit between the two fir strips already installed on the riser. Apply a serpentine bead of construction adhesive to the back of each fir strip and press it into position. Repeat for each riser. Your risers and treads should now be faced with treated fir strips. Add finish nails joining the tread and riser edge strips after the adhesive cures (about 24 hours).

How to mark a stringer on a concrete slab?

Mark the stringer at two inches from the top and bottom edges and every twelve to sixteen inches in between, roughly centered on the stringer. Drill the top mark (through the wood and into the concrete) using a rotohammer installed with a one quarter inch by four inch long masonry bit. Wear eye protection as you drill.

How to attach stringer to fir?

Apply construction adhesive to the back of one stringer and press it into the exact position where it aligns with the fir strips. (You may need a friend to hold the stringer in place while drilling.)

Can you build concrete steps in a garage?

Concrete (or masonry) steps are commonly built between a garage that is on grade and a home which is on a basement or crawl space type foundation. This is fine unless you decide to convert your garage into living space and you are confronted with how to cover the masonry stairs with wood so that they no longer look like exterior stairs.

Can you use treated wood for concrete steps?

Use treated wood to allow for any moisture the concrete steps may produce. Make sure your concrete stairs are level. Concrete (or masonry) steps are commonly built between a garage that is on grade and a home which is on a basement or crawl space type foundation.

Do you put stringers on stairs?

The other end should finish at the top of the stairs. For stairs that are flush against a wall, you will only install one stringer. For stairs open on both sides, you will fit a second treated wood stringer on the remaining side.

What is the best way to connect wood to concrete?

Hammer-set concrete fasteners, concrete screws, and mortar nails are all effective ways to connect wood to concrete.

What is retro fitting stair treads?

Retro-fitting stair treads is the simplest solution for a DIY’er intent on installing hardwood treads over an existing flight of stairs. High-quality prefinished stair treads are made of solid edge-glued wood—not a veneered or engineered material—and can be used to “cap” or reface an existing tread.

Can you use nails to drill holes in concrete?

If you are willing to make holes in the concrete but do not want to buy the particular drill bit needed, then the simplest solution is to get nails for your project. Standard nails will not work on concrete, but some nails are made specifically for nailing wood to concrete. Cut nails will also work for this as well.

Can you use liquid nails on stairs?

We no longer recommend using Liquid Nails ® brand products. Because Liquid Nails ‘ products are labeled very similarly and packaging can vary between location and retailer, we strongly discourage the use of any other brand of adhesive, including Liquid Nails, for your stair installation.

Can you put wood planks on concrete steps?

Can stairs be darker than floors?

Stairs can be darker than the floor, but they do not have to be. As long as your stairs complement your floors, you can make them any color you wish. Here are some popular ways to coordinate your floor and stairs: Colored stairs.

Can you fasten a riser with nails?

Don’t fasten treads and or risers with only nails or staples. The adhesive is much more important than the fasteners. There will be times when fastening may be limited, so a good adhesive is critical. Rely on the front edge of the riser for your level surface.

Covering An Existing Concrete Porch With Wood – Part 1

My brother and I only got halfway done with what I had hoped to accomplish yesterday, but we learned a lot along the way. The big picture goal here is that I’ll be covering my existing concrete front porch with wood so that I can stain it and it will look like a traditional wood front porch.

UPDATE

The new wood porch floor is finished! Click the links below to see the rest of the posts in this project.