How to Replace the Front Steps in Arts & Crafts Homes

Wood Steps

• 1

  Choose your materials. The arts and crafts architectural movement rejected ostentation. It used materials that were readily available in nature, rejecting modern building methods and materials. Thus, reclaimed wood found locally is an excellent choice.

• 2

  Remove the existing material. Saw each tread in half, pull the broken halves out, and remove any nails remaining in the supporting wood structure underneath. Repeat the process with each riser until all that’s left are the wood beams to which the treads and risers were secured.

• 3

  Install your new steps. Measure the required length for new treads and risers (you can simply measure the old treads and risers and use those dimensions), and cut all your pieces of wood to the required size. Install one step at a time, nailing in the riser first, then nailing in the tread.

• 4

  Finish your surface. Sand the your new steps, and stain them. A stain better complements the arts and craft style than paint, because stain allows the wood’s natural beauty to come through. Once the stain has completely dried, apply a waterproof sealer.

Stone Steps

• 5

  Choose your materials. The arts and crafts architectural movement rejected ostentation and typically dismissed modern building methods and materials. It used materials that were readily available in nature. Therefore, natural stone found locally is another suitable choice.

• 6

  Remove the existing material. Remove all the loose stone by hand and set it aside. Chip away the remaining material until you’ve got a completely clear work area. A sledgehammer and pry bar work well for this task.

• 7

  Put down your new steps. Installing stone steps will be a bit like building a puzzle. You need to lay down a first layer of stone, looking for stones that fit together to create a flat top surface. Use cement in between the stones for sturdy construction. Once your first level or step is in place, simply repeat the process for each additional step.