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jgrisbaum

Outdoor steps advice

28 days ago


This is my house. We are currently having the wood siding removed and hardie siding installed. The wood block trim on the corners is already gone! We'll be keeping the front door, the windows, and the rail for the steps. Not yet ready for a new roof. Landscaping and any pavers, etc. will also have to wait.


We're thinking of a light to medium gray for the siding color and white for the trim around the windows, soffits, and fascia. Maybe a dark gray/bronze for the gutters, instead of white. What do we think about that color combo? I am open to shutters, but they are not a priority at the moment.


My dillema is whether to repaint the concrete porch and steps, or should we install flagstone or tile? The paint on the concrete never lasts - we've had to repaint a couple of times. If we paint the concrete, we will go with a darker gray and perhaps match the gutter color.


The area on the bottom on the right side of the house is also concrete - I think we would definitely just paint that part instead of tiling. Not sure what to do about the concrete front behind the lirope on the front porch - I would think if we tiled the porch/steps, we'd paint that as well?

Comments (9)

  • 28 days ago

    Here is the picture of the house

  • 28 days ago
    last modified: 28 days ago

    Gray and white is common, on such a small house, I would not contrast the gutters.

    No to painting the concrete, power wash and remove all existing flaking paint back to original and seal the concrete. Get an area rug to fill the porch floor. No shutters, save your $ for landscaping. ne light fixture, and house numbers.


    Jen g thanked Lyn Nielson
  • PRO
    28 days ago

    Downspouts and gutters are not IMHO design elements so best when match the roof for th gutters and the siding for the downspouts I for sure do not like the white on those pillars . Maybe clear cedar for those posts and the front door and then adrk gray slate or tile for the porch floor and the steps.

    Jen g thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 28 days ago
    last modified: 28 days ago

    You mentioned tile for the floor. I would definitely do that, rather than paint it. Even powerwashing and removing all the paint, and putting a sealer on it, is better than painting. Unlike above, I like my gutters and my downspouts all the same color, rather than matching roof, or siding. Yours look like they have been previously painted, but, if they were new and had the baked on finish that comes on them, I wouldnt paint them ever, unless, they looked bad.

    Jen g thanked cat_ky
  • 28 days ago

    Gutters aren't a design feature. You want them to match the color of the trim or the siding, whatever blends in best. Shutters might work on your house --- you want to mock up the size of shutters on the window under the porch. You'd need to remove the trim around the windows, though. I happen to think the windows look nice as is, but you do have a house where shutters might work. You want to decide before the siding is installed.


    I'd paint the cement foundation on the right a darker shade of the same gray as the siding, although, leaving it might work, too, on a gray house.

    Jen g thanked Sigrid
  • 28 days ago

    I think a light gray would be pretty on the house. Then a wide white trim around your windows to tie in with the porch columns. I agree with power washing your concrete and then sealing. I live in southwest Florida and it's very common here to paint pool decks and even driveways but it's always done with an opaque concrete stain that survives the harsh sun so that could also be an option for you. If your front door is currently painted and not wood, I would suggest a brighter color to make it more welcoming. It also looks as though your pavers leading from your driveway could use some re-working. They look a little uneven. Perhaps 2x2 pavers would work a bit better. Vertical house numbers on one of your columns would make it easier for guests and emergency personnel to find your house.

    Jen g thanked katinparadise
  • PRO
    27 days ago
    last modified: 27 days ago

    Gray is such a depressing color for a cute cottage. Pick a cottage appropriate color. A pale yellow, or blue, or even a pink or lavender!



    A fabulous encaustic look porcelain for the porch could add to the charm. https://www.crossvillestudios.com/Products/DUR-CASTELLON



    Jen g thanked Phyllis
  • 26 days ago

    @lisedv THANK YOU so much! That is awesome and so helpful. I like that color! They should start putting the siding up tomorrow.