Consult the architect that designed the house. Let them know your concerns and let them deign a solution that has continuity with the rest of the design.

Thank you, Mark.

That is a good suggestion.

-Sarah

Ther eis nothing wrong with aluminum stairs they are built to last but I wounder about the salt air Why are doing this at all. I would do my entry on the lower level and have stairs inside going to the upper level Then you could have avery nice ground floor entry that will always look better than a flight of stairs outside

I always have good suggestions.

(don't anybody comment on that)

Is Sarah the same as kitchenremodelhelp ??

Thank you, Patricia.

We are building this home so that it is easy to clean up, in the event of a flood. (We had a one story house and it was flooded. We tore it down and are building new, on our lot.)

My thought is that with an external stair case, all we would need to do is hose if off.

Everything below flood level - garages, stairs - can be easily cleaned, in the event of a flood.

Thank you, Sarah

Hi Mark,

Yes, the same one! Construction is coming along. Now that I see the house standing, I think the front steps should be substantial.

Anything more substantial will block the main floor, where it looks like there is w condos?

There is a window

Thank you, WestCoast,

The area on the ground level between the garages is open. The design is similar to a stilt home, with garages.

I wouldn’t want to block it in though with cement?

I am thinking an open stairwell so that when I pull into the driveway, i can look out through/under the stairwell.

How can you have an open cement stairwell? Google doesnt show many.

1. "When we pull up to the house, I would like to look under the stairwell, out through the open covered lanai. In other words, I would prefer that the support for the steps not be a solid wall."

2. "I am thinking a concrete stairwell."

These two #1/#2 concepts conflict. If #1 is important, keep the design and spec as is.

3. "I would like the front entrance to be eye-catching."

That would be accomplished, hopefully at least on the ground floor, by the massing of the porch area, the pathway to get to the stair (softscape/hardscape), and a view through the back lanai on the ground floor. The stair would be a bit part in this scheme, and a lighter-looking mass (accomplished by aluminum posts and cable guardrails) might better lend to that.

Also, I remember at one point the drawings showing the electrical service panel at this entry. I don't remember if that will be moved, but that will help in lending to the "eye-catching" arrival.

Good morning, 3onthetree,

Thank you for your input. I see what you mean that if I get the front stairwell too bulky, I will not be able to see through/under the steps.

I like your idea of making the base of the steps inviting/interesting. Thank you for that suggestion.

Yes, the exterior electrical panel will be located on the ”utility deck”, on the west side of the house.

Thanks again,

Sarah

Why not just do a mix of concrete step and steel support? Not sure what the last picture is supported by, but the wood steps are nice.

I think the materials used and their ability to withstand humidity, salt spray and salt water would be a big factor. You don't want something that will easily get pitted and require constant maintenance.

Many of the raised houses in my area of FL have a "foyer" and the staircase and elevator entrance are inside that foyer. That would also give the elevator some protection being inside a conditioned space. Your current elevator entrance is going to get constant exposure to sand/salt/water and need regular cleaning and maintenance to run well. Unfortunately, too far along to do anything about it, except pick the best materials for the location.

Suspect you are in a "velocity zone" and the stair material is already specified in the structural plans.

Thank you, Debbi,

I like the pictures you sent! My goal is to have the front steps "grand", while still having and openness to them. I think your pictures accomplish that.

I was getting nervous that the steps specified on my plans look more like back deck steps instead of front steps.

I will share your pictures with my builder. He is planning on having his concrete subcontractor meet with us.

Thanks again for your help, Debbi. I appreciate it.

-Sarah

Hi Jeffrey,

Yes, we are in a high velocity zone. My builder agreed that the steps should be more "grand". (That is the best term I can come up with for what I envision. "Substantial" also comes to mind.)

Thank you for your point that we will need to ensure that the steps meet code and the zone requirements. We want this house to survive any future hurricanes!

-Sarah

Thank you, Chispa. It sounds like you are very aware of our environment. EVERYTHING gets pitted within a year.

In hindsight, maybe I should have planned for a lower level foyer. My thought was that in the event of a flood, I can just hose everything off and not have a ground floor foyer that I have to deal with.

Still think the foyer if grand is waht you want . None of the ones posted are even close to grand and if by change you got some GRAND staircase there is will still lok more like a fire esacpe than agrand staircase > I guess mayybe some thought to choose items inside the foyer that sit above the fllor more and easily moved the stair cas can be awesome inside and done to withstan most water issues too

Thank you, Patricia. I appreciate your input.