This week we’re helping a couple improve the front porch of their home to create a warmer welcome for their guests.

Michael and Leigh Ann’s house sits on eight and a half acres in the country. Even though they don’t actually have a curb, they want to improve their curb appeal.


The Projects

Repair/Replace Handrail Parts

The front porch handrail needed some attention — the spindles needed to be caulked and some of them were even rotting.

This rotten spindle compromises the constructional integrity of the handrail. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Once we remove the rotting portion of the bottom rail, we fill it with auto-body filler to smooth out the surface. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

Once we remove the rotten spindles, we discover the rails below them are in rough shape. So, we mix up some auto-body filler to smooth them out. This stuff is also great for filling cracks and screw holes. 

We replace the rotten wood trim at the base of the stairs with cellular PVC. Because this stuff is plastic, it will never rot.

Meanwhile, to replace the missing spindles, we cut pressure-treated lumber down to match the size of the old spindle. Then, we match the angle on each end and nail them in place. Next, we caulked the new spindles to give a finished look and seal out water to prevent rot.


Paint Deck Boards

The white deck boards blended in with the home’s white siding, so we’re painting them gray to add some contrast.

Not only are we going to change the color, but we’re also going to use paint that’s specifically made for this type of project — Behr Premium Porch and Patio Floor Paint from The Home Depot. It’s thicker and more durable than standard paint, so it holds up better to scruff and foot traffic. 

We roll the paint onto the deck boards, then use a brush to get the color in between each board.

Then, we paint the stairs, plus the tops of the handrails to add some extra color and contrast.

Behr Premium Porch and Patio Floor Paint (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The gray color not only contrasts with the white siding, but also compliments the home’s metal roof. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

Install New Path

Michael and Leigh Ann had a sidewalk to nowhere below their front porch steps.

To get rid of it, we start removing the old concrete stepping blocks with a shovel, until Michael steps in with a little more horsepower from his tractor.

To give them a complete walkway, we’re using Quikrete’s Walkmaker building form in the European Block Pattern. 

The couple’s existing walkway is non-functional — incomplete and leading to nowhere. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Creating a new path from scratch is easy when you use Quikrete’s Walkmaker forms. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Today’s Homeowner Tips

Watch How to Create a Walkway with Quikrete Walkmaker for a step-by-step guide on how to do it.


Post-Production Thoughts

​​Mike and Leigh Ann have a beautiful piece of property that they share with their horses. But they felt like the front of their house lacked the visual appeal that the land it sits on deserved.

The walkway to it was incomplete and unattractive, while the front porch was a sea of dingy paint, stuck on the front of a white house. There was nothing to draw you in or make you feel welcome.

Danny Lipford and Co-Host Chelsea Lipford Wolf pose for a picture with Michael and Leigh Ann Riley. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

But now, the front porch is freshly painted, and even though we only added a little gray to the mix, there’s enough contrast to give the space some personality.

The rotten wood and peeling paint are gone, and so is the poorly poured sidewalk. In its place is a symmetrically arranged walkway of 12 stepping stones that create a graceful transition to the porch steps.

The porch that once had no greeting for guests now invites you to pull up a chair and enjoy the view.


Other Tips From This Episode
Simple Solutions
What You Should Know About Coffee Grounds for Plants
Best New Products
Werner’s 6-ft. Ladder Keeps Tools and Parts at Your Fingertips
Split screen of two images; the left side shows a gray concrete patio made from Quikrete WalkMaker and the right side shows a multi-colored concrete patio made with Quikrete WalkMakerWatch and Learn
How to Create a Walkway with Quikrete Walkmaker 

Products Featured in This Episode

Watch the video above to find out more.


More Inspiration

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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