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Discussion Forum

What to do with Stairs

BossHog | Posted in General Discussion on December 31, 2003 04:30am

These are 2 pics of our back stairs. I’m trying to figure out what the heck to do with them. The steps are in a “breezeway” between the house and garage.

They’re solid concrete all the way through. At some point the stairs were covered with tile. (The black stuff with white spots you can see on some of the steps)

Then someone covered the whole stairs with cheap carpeting. (The dull green stuff which you can see on a couple of the steps)

Both the tile and carpeting are coming loose. I need to do somethng to these steps to improve their looks.

Any suggestions? I’m not particularly interested in jackhammering them out and building something new. But I wouldn’t completely rule that out either.

I’m also trying to figure out what to cover the wall with that you see in the background. When we added the garage/breezeway on, I tore off the old siding and just covered the wall with tar paper. Never got beyond that.

I thought about drywall. But since it’s in an unheated space, I thought that might not be the best thing. And it might be subject to some dents and dings from stuff that’s stored out there. Anything more durable that I should be considering?

Congressmen have been bought and sold so many times they should have bar codes

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Replies

  1. UncleDunc | Dec 31, 2003 04:38pm | #1

    Grey epoxy floor paint. Hardieplank siding.

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Dec 31, 2003 04:54pm | #2

      I had thought about paint. But I wasn't sure how to get all that glue off the stairs.

      You can see the glue - It's the black stuff on the bottom tread.

      .

      I've never seen Hardieplank siding. And had never heard of it before visiting these forums. So I doubt it's available around here.“Before you save the world, you have to save your seat.” [Thomas F. Dowd, Jr., former 5-term Connecticut legislator]

  2. andybuildz | Dec 31, 2003 05:59pm | #3

    Ron

          If it were me, I'd shoot some 5/4 " sleepers into the crete and lay some wood plank 5/4"  horizontally over that with risers in the same vein.

    I think you could really purdy it up if yer so inclined that way. Howz about using some Brazillian Walnut? CCA?

    The walls? T-111 or Hardie plank depending on how ambitious you are....

    PS.Whats in them bags.something to feed us all?

                                                                 BE well

                                                                            andy

    My life is my practice!

    http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

    1. Ronbaby | Dec 31, 2003 06:10pm | #4

      keep in mind whatever you do to the treads youll have to do to the floor as to not change the unit rise much. I hate them stubbed toes.

    2. User avater
      BossHog | Dec 31, 2003 06:15pm | #5

      "If it were me, I'd shoot some 5/4 " sleepers into the crete and lay some wood plank 5/4" horizontally over that with risers in the same vein"

      But that would make the tread heights different by an inch. I don't think that would be comfortable to climb.

      "Whats in them bags.something to feed us all?"

      Sorry - It's recycling stuff in the bags. The boxes are stuff we're going to send out to a flea market. We're trying to clean up the house in anticipation of moving.When women hold off from marrying men, we call it independence. When men hold off from marrying women, we call it fear of commitment. [Warren Farrell] (American Psychologist)

  3. fredsmart48 | Dec 31, 2003 06:19pm | #6

    What dose your building code call for between the connected garage and house?  5/8 fire coat sheet rock ?  If not  T 1-11

    Steps take a 4" or 7" grinder with a wire cup wheel and use a good dust mask to get the glue off. 

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Dec 31, 2003 06:29pm | #7

      Building code? What's that ???

      We're in serious redneck country here - No (enforced) building codes.

      I have a grinder, but not a wire wheel. That would definitely be worth a shot for the glue.There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Dec 31, 2003 07:02pm | #8

    Paint thinner scraper and and scrub brush for the glue.

    Chipping hammer for the tile.

    Sanded deck paint for a finish.

    Hand rail. Most any thing. Prefab iron?

    Hardie plank or T-111 for siding.

    Since it is a breeze way (open?) DW might not be a good idea.

     

    Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

  5. User avater
    IMERC | Dec 31, 2003 07:05pm | #9

    Match the siding to the rest of the house or come as close as you can.

    Keep in mind "yur moving"

     

    Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....



    Edited 12/31/2003 11:10:34 AM ET by IMERC

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Dec 31, 2003 07:31pm | #10

      "Match the siding to the rest of the house..."

      The rest of the house has both aluminum and vinyl siding. Don't want to match that.Men are Like copiersYou need them in reproduction but that's about it.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Dec 31, 2003 07:38pm | #11

        That sounds interesting...

        Stucco and...

        Go for 3rd and 4th types. ROAR! 

        Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

      2. andybuildz | Dec 31, 2003 08:37pm | #12

        The rest of the house has both aluminum and

        Ron

             I may actually have some "yellow aluminum siding" stashed away to one day sell on Ebay as an antique..not kidding. My first real money gigs was as a tin man.

        Try doing aluminum siding on houses on the water (ocean) in the midle of the winter.

        These young bucks have no clue! lol

        BE 52 yrs young

                              andyMy life is my practice!

        http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

  6. User avater
    ProDek | Dec 31, 2003 09:57pm | #13

    I would break out the top step only, then build a 4'x4' landing, then wooden steps down from that. It looks like you have the room. Hardie plank siding is impervious to anything, you might consider using that for your replacement.

    Whatever you do have fun doing it...........View Image

    View Image

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    Bob

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