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.
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.
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.
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.
Watch How to Create a Walkway with Quikrete Walkmaker for a more step-by-step guide on how to do it.
We also:
- Repaired the lattice
- Trimmed bushes
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.
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
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Simple Solutions What You Should Know About Coffee Grounds for Plants |
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Best New Products Werner’s 6-ft. Ladder Keeps Tools and Parts at Your Fingertips |
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Watch and Learn How to Create a Walkway with Quikrete Walkmaker |
Products Featured in This Episode
Walkway
Railing
- New spindles: 1-by-2 pressure-treated wood cut to size
- Auto Body Filler: Bondo 12 fl. oz. Wood Filler
- Titebond Painter’s Plus Caulk
- Titebond Original Wood Glue
- Titebond Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive
- Post Cap: Copper Pyramid Post Point
Paint
