New front steps- Treks or Granite?

Hi all,

I am in need of new front steps at my house (which is a ranch), as currently their are wooden ones with a wooden railing, but they are on their last leg. I am on the fence about which one of these to go with. I did have my mailbox post replaced with a granite one last year so I think granite stairs would look really nice with that, but on the other hand I am not sure if granite requires any maintenance and how it is in the winter? Can I put salt down on granite stairs? The treks on the other hand looks nice, but I am not sure it will look nice as front steps or if it will look just meh. I have a new back deck made of treks and I LOVE it and it looks beautiful, just not sure about doing the same in front. It would just be three stairs and the rails.

I am just looking for recommendations from people who either have either of these two materials as front steps, or someone who may know better than I (which is probably all of you). Thanks in advance, any advice is appreciated!

-T

 

Howdy from DFW and

 

Ok here are a couple pics. I will maybe take another later if I am home, once the sun hits the whole front.

 

I plan on repaving the driveway and walkway next year if that makes a difference.

 

@1UPPER May have a good idea for you.

 

X2 @1UPPER

What about bluestone walkway and you can cap the steps with bluestone also? You can attach metal railings.

 

hmm, not sure that is in the budget. A walkway like that probably would cost me around 5K, if not more, around here. It's a thought though, and thank you for the idea!

 

What about stamped concrete? You can get any design.

 

Maybe that's an idea... Have to get the front steps done first though.

 

After seeing some photos of your front porch I think the Trex or a composite deck would be a good option. The granite could look nice but I’m sure the cost for the granite slabs and installation will cost more than a composite deck. I would personally suggest making the porch slightly wider to allow room for some plants in pots on both side of the door entrance in the summer months. Just a thought.

 

Agree with 1UPPER. Would go with Trek and also enlarge the porch. Would look great.

 

Granite. Steps with a granite landing. IMO would look great.

The trex option is a nice one as well, but if you go that route I would build the structure out of western cedar 4x4 or 6x6 posts and 2x framing, then top with trex or another brand of composite decking with metal railing.

With either option you will need to find a good, dependable contractor or have some decent framing or stone mason skills.

Granite will need to be pressure washed every now and then, you can have the surface "roughed up" to provide some slip resistance when wet

Composite decking can get slick when wet or in winter and can fade over time in direct sunlight. Its a good material but not with out its faults. You have several options when it comes to installing, square edge or grooved edge. Square edge you use the correct composite deck screw and attach the decking thru the face of the board, with the grooved edge you use a clip to hide the screw, but you need starter, running and end clips, plus screws, just added costs. Most people opt for square edge.

 

Also depends on what look you are after, keep the same style of landing or do you want a larger deck area?

would you want to add a roof over it for a covered area?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I actually do not like big decking in the front of a house, for whatever reason. A farmers porch would be great, but that is definitely not in the budget this year. I just spent 11K on a new back deck end of last summer last year, and 4K redoing the basement this year. I want to keep the same deck size as is now, as I do have space for flowers both sides, and I like the size it is, as it doesn't overwhelm the front of the house.

I do have a contractor I will use if I get decking material type steps. He and his son did my back deck it it came out absolutely beautiful and it is built correctly.

-T

 

Good info, thank you! I will take both into consideration and I think some of this will have to be based on cost.

-T

 

How much are we talking for the granite and railings? I want Caladonia to match the granite mailbox post, so that may increase the cost slightly. The composite front is going to be 2900, which is much better than the 11K I spent last year on the back one.

-T

 

This is what the back deck looks like, and it is how I would probably have them do the front as well as far as colors and rails/spindles go. I was thinking maybe putting down a lighter "floor" (I have no idea what you call the part you walk on).

 

OH, LOL... ok a lighter color decking!

 

That's a nice deck.

 

X2

 

Hey there, We have the same dilemma right now...love our trex back deck and thinking about replacing old wooden front steps in front of our house with Trex. Did you end up doing that? Any update on how you like it? Pros/cons? Thank you!

 

Sorry, I know it's a bit late, but I went with the granite. Also repaved driveway and walkway, so it's looking overall really nice, and I def feel I made the better choice. The granite stairs cost the same as what the treks stairs would have, but I feel like the granite offers a cleaner look.

 

Looks good.