Pavers/Stone over concrete steps
#1
08-20-12, 05:50 AM
Pavers/Stone over concrete steps
Hi all,
We have concrete stairs leading up to our front door. They are a built over a block base with brick veneer, but the steps are simply concrete.
They are 35 years old and in pretty good shape. Some chips on the edge, a bad patch of spalting on the bottom step, and some flaking where the welcome mat is (water trapped, freeze/thaw). But for that age they are in good shape.
Because of the spalting, they are not a good candidate for a re-coat. We've had quotes to do stonework on them, but they are $4k+
So I'm wondering if any of you have done concrete pavers or bluestone over concrete steps? How do you usually do the exposed ends or risers?
Also, any particular products you recommend? I've seen that Techo-Bloc has a line (Venetian) that is specifically designed for concrete overlay. I'm going to call our local stone center to ask as well.
Thanks in advance,
Anthony
We have concrete stairs leading up to our front door. They are a built over a block base with brick veneer, but the steps are simply concrete.
They are 35 years old and in pretty good shape. Some chips on the edge, a bad patch of spalting on the bottom step, and some flaking where the welcome mat is (water trapped, freeze/thaw). But for that age they are in good shape.
Because of the spalting, they are not a good candidate for a re-coat. We've had quotes to do stonework on them, but they are $4k+
So I'm wondering if any of you have done concrete pavers or bluestone over concrete steps? How do you usually do the exposed ends or risers?
Also, any particular products you recommend? I've seen that Techo-Bloc has a line (Venetian) that is specifically designed for concrete overlay. I'm going to call our local stone center to ask as well.
Thanks in advance,
Anthony
#2
08-20-12, 06:41 AM
Group Moderator
Your plan might work (though I don't know enough to say one way or the other) but typically adding something to steps makes the heights different - your bottom step gets to be too high and your top step lowered. This is a code violation so it's something you need to work into your plan.
#3
08-20-12, 06:54 AM
Not a problem. Plenty of room at the stoop and the bottom step will still be code after the extra height.
Plus when we redo the walkway, we can elevate the bottom to be exactly the right stair height.
The stone center said the Techo Bloc overlay veneer is the only one he knows of designed for coating steps. It's around $1500 for the kit. Just got to figure out the best plan for the job. So far this looks promising.
Plus when we redo the walkway, we can elevate the bottom to be exactly the right stair height.
The stone center said the Techo Bloc overlay veneer is the only one he knows of designed for coating steps. It's around $1500 for the kit. Just got to figure out the best plan for the job. So far this looks promising.
#4
08-20-12, 03:13 PM
Member
Just looked at Techo's website, and that Venetian series is some nice-looking stuff. Although I've never done any paver overlays on concrete steps, the logical answer to your questions about how to deal with exposed edges and risers would be to simply cantilever the top and riser-edge surfaces at those locations to cover any exposed edges. I'd be tempted to use a "nosing" effect everywhere (making the cantilevers project an inch or so beyond where the finished vertical members are located), to give some aesthetic relief and make things look more finished.
#5
08-22-12, 10:31 AM
Cool, thanks all. This ends up saving us some money and it seems doable (especially since I already have diamond blades and a nice wet saw for tile use)
#6
09-14-12, 08:22 AM
Update:
We've put this project off for a little bit. I'm just going to patch the existing spawl for the fall/winter and we'll revisit in the spring. There was just too much to do to get the walkway heights matched / stepped. I'll eventually have to demo some or all of the concrete walk and rebuild/pour.
We'll revisit the Venetian series or bluestone again and may tie it all into a major backyard project for the spring (different thread).
Thanks again all!
We've put this project off for a little bit. I'm just going to patch the existing spawl for the fall/winter and we'll revisit in the spring. There was just too much to do to get the walkway heights matched / stepped. I'll eventually have to demo some or all of the concrete walk and rebuild/pour.
We'll revisit the Venetian series or bluestone again and may tie it all into a major backyard project for the spring (different thread).
Thanks again all!
#7
10-05-12, 05:46 AM
Okay, well, this got moved back up to top priority for the wife. We got our color samples and are ready to order. We're getting that Venetian and Blu 45 series from TechoBloc.
So I have a couple of prep work questions:
1) Bagged mortar or mix my own? Small job, so I am leaning towards bagged, but I've heard hit or miss reviews on the Sakrete/Quikrete stuff.
2) Since part of this will be free hanging blocks on the vertical, I'm guessing I need polymer/latex modified type S. Do I get regular type S and mix it with the modified liquid, or just get a bag with the modified already in it?
3) Surface prep. Already pressure washed. Do I just need to hit all the surfaces with an angle grinder? Or is that not enough?
Thanks for all the help,
Anthony
So I have a couple of prep work questions:
1) Bagged mortar or mix my own? Small job, so I am leaning towards bagged, but I've heard hit or miss reviews on the Sakrete/Quikrete stuff.
2) Since part of this will be free hanging blocks on the vertical, I'm guessing I need polymer/latex modified type S. Do I get regular type S and mix it with the modified liquid, or just get a bag with the modified already in it?
3) Surface prep. Already pressure washed. Do I just need to hit all the surfaces with an angle grinder? Or is that not enough?
Thanks for all the help,
Anthony
