Do-it-yourself concrete porch. We make a porch of concrete with our own hands Concrete steps for a porch with our own hands
If the basement of the house is high, it is necessary to equip the porch when creating the building. It must be strong and reliable. Therefore, when arranging steps, they must be guided by established rules and regulations. Create do-it-yourself concrete porch using the established technology, almost every master who has minimal skills in construction will be able to.
There are many options for decorating the entrance to the building. The main thing is that the porch is combined with the general style of the facade. In this case, you can choose various elements of decor. The main thing is that the design is strong, safe and durable.
Assumes the fulfillment of all existing requirements. Most often, such a design is designed together with the plan of the cottage or country house. However, in some cases it is required to attach steps separately. If the porch was not included in the plan or it is required to reconstruct the old structure, it is necessary to approach the implementation of such work very responsibly.
In case of non-compliance with building codes and requirements, various adverse consequences can be expected. The walls of the facade, to which the structure adjoins, may crack. In this case, additional costs for their strengthening will be required.
Also, with improper installation, the porch itself can sag. In this case, it will become unsafe to use the steps. Also, their finish coating may peel off. In this case, the porch will lose its decorative effect.
When creating a plan for a future extension to the house, you will need to take into account the dimensions of the building itself. Steps should harmoniously fit into the overall exterior. They should not be too small or bulky, so as not to look ridiculous.
Varieties
May have different configurations. When choosing a form, the geometry of the facade in the entrance area is taken into account. The porch can be semicircular, trapezoidal, square or rectangular. The choice depends on the general design of the building from the outside, the style of decoration.
The strength of the structure does not depend on the shape of the porch. However, experts say that it is better for beginners to give preference to designs with corners. It is quite difficult to create round steps without having enough experience in conducting construction works.
The porch can also be closed, open or have a veranda configuration. It can also have railings or do without them. If the rise is steep and the width of the stairs is small, it is recommended to install handrails. This will ensure the safety of going up and down the stairs.
Organization of construction
Considering how to make a concrete porch it is necessary to properly organize the entire workflow. It is better if the steps are built together with the building. However, if this process is not possible, a number of recommendations must be taken into account.
The top step should be 5 cm below the door level. This is stipulated by the relevant rules. The number of steps is selected according to the height from the ground to the door. Their slope and size should contribute to the comfortable and safe movement of people. The presence of a top platform is not a requirement. If it is convenient for the owners to create a structure with such an element, this will be a good solution.
Construction includes several stages. First, a project is created. Next, the installation site is cleared. Next, the formwork is mounted. After this happens concrete pouring. Finishing work completes the construction process.
Design
The width of the porch should be at least 80 cm. If two people move along the steps at once, this figure increases to 1 m. The angle of inclination of the extension should not be more than 45º. It is better if it is 30º. The number of steps for convenience should be odd. Each of them must be at least 25 cm wide.
The height of the steps, depending on other selected parameters, should be in the range from 120 to 200 mm. The top platform should be of such a size that the door can be freely opened. After taking into account the listed standards, it is necessary to calculate the amount of concrete, reinforcement.
Tools and materials
Must be created by project. The concrete may be ready. If you use this material, its grade can be M200. When self-kneading the dry mix, it is recommended to purchase cement that is more durable. Suitable material with brand M400. A sand and gravel solution is kneaded from it.
You will also need reinforcement with a diameter of 6.5 mm. She is tied with wire. The formwork is made from boards. Its frame is made of beams. You will also need nails, waterproofing (roofing material).
It is necessary to prepare several tools in advance. You will need a puncher, a grinder, a special compactor for concrete. Boards are cut with a saw. In the process of work, shovels (shovel, bayonet) will be required. The mixture is kneaded in a special trough. It is also recommended to prepare a hammer, spatulas, level, tape measure.
Preparatory process
Having chosen the optimal configuration of the future structure, it is necessary to consider step by step instructions. Do-it-yourself concrete porch should be equipped in accordance with the developed methodology.
The construction site must be prepared. If there was an old porch here, it will be completely dismantled. Next, you need to make a foundation. Without it, the porch can sag. To do this, you need to dig a hole. The depth should be 20-25 cm, the width should be in accordance with the size of the porch (should be 2.5 cm larger). The steps should be wider than the door leaf. They must exceed this figure by 15 cm. The upper platform must be at least 1 m wide.
The foundation must correspond to the depth of the foundation of the house itself. Crushed stone is poured onto the prepared site. It is necessary to lay raw sand on it. It is slightly tamped down. The voids must be filled with sand.
formwork
Concrete porch formwork is a frame, a form along which the porch will be poured. To do this, you need to pick up strong boards and bars. They must not be deformed. You can fasten the form with self-tapping screws or even ordinary nails.
The frame should be 30 cm higher than the porch itself. This is due to the deepening of the formwork into the ground. First, risers are drawn, tread. They must have a right angle. After that, you need to draw a platform and tread. Their slope should be 6 mm. The depth of the drain for water should be about 30 cm. Then the risers are indicated. The slope in this case should be 15º.
Stiffeners are attached to the sides of the mold. You need to retreat 1 cm from the wall of the house. Prepared formwork panels are mounted side by side. The stakes must be hammered to a depth of 25 cm. Spacers are installed between them and the formwork. The backfill of the base should be 10 cm. It is rammed. The size of the boards is adjusted in accordance with the dimensions of the risers. The boards are nailed to the formwork.
Reinforcement
If the owners of their own home study, how to make a semicircular concrete porch or other configuration with large dimensions, it is necessary to pay attention to the reinforcement process. In this case, the construction will be carried out using a more complex technology.
After the formwork is formed, it is necessary to add reinforcement to the structure. It is also cut into the walls of the house. The distance between each metal element should be 10 cm. In height, the reinforcement should protrude 20 cm higher than the future foundation.
If the boards lead during the pouring process, they will begin to deform, it is necessary to support them with special structures. Filling is carried out starting from the first step. It is better that the concrete mixer stand in close proximity to the formwork. To avoid the appearance of voids, it is necessary to pour a sufficient amount of cement mixture into the mold.
Finishing
After the concrete structure has completely dried, you can proceed to finishing work. When choosing a style, materials, the general style of decorating the facade must be taken into account. This will create a single image.
Considering how to clad a concrete porch, it is necessary to give preference to materials such as porcelain stoneware, clinker tiles or stone. In this case, the concrete surface will be additionally protected from mechanical damage. Appearance the porch will be aesthetic.
After installation of finishing materials, you can install additional elements. It can be a railing, a visor. Also, if you have a large porch, you can equip a veranda here. The owners make the choice of additional finishing elements in accordance with their taste preferences.
Considering how to create do-it-yourself concrete porch, every owner of a private house will be able to do the job well. The design will be strong, reliable and durable.
A country house or cottage usually begins with a porch, to which a small ladder leads. How to fill the steps with concrete and do it right with minimal financial and time costs? To get a general idea after reading the material, you should watch a video that clearly demonstrates the process of step formation. Construction work is carried out in several stages.
We calculate materials
The manufacture of stairs begins with calculations of the required amount of materials and drawing up drawings. At this stage, the number of steps of the stairs is determined based on the height of the platform from ground level. According to the requirements of SNiP 21-01-97 and GOST 9818, the difference between the support platforms should not exceed 220 mm, and its width should be at least 250 mm. Steps filled with concrete with my own hands, are heavy, and in order to avoid their subsidence, it is necessary to provide a foundation.
Having determined the dimensions of one step and their total number, we calculate the volumes of required building materials, such as:
- cement brand 500;
- sifted quarry sand;
- crushed stone of fine and medium fraction;
- steel reinforcing bar;
- lumber: boards and timber for the manufacture of formwork.
Taking into account these data, the total construction price is set as the sum of the cost for all positions. The involvement of hired specialists will lead to an increase in the cost of the structure by about half.
Site preparation for work
To answer the question "how to fill in the steps for your porch" you need to familiarize yourself with the technology of the operation. You should start with leveling and marking the site. To carry out land work with your own hands, you will need shovels and bayonet shovels, as well as a tape measure, pegs and a cord. When laying a rectangular porch base, it is imperative to check the diagonals.
On the marked area, soil is sampled to a depth of at least 250-300 mm and a sand cushion is poured. The layer is leveled and compacted by moistening and compacting with a special tool. A steel bar is used to reinforce the base of the porch and strengthen the steps formed by one's own hands. The strength-enhancing structure is welded or wire-knitted and installed before the concrete is poured into the stairs.
The next step is the manufacture and installation of formwork. High-quality pouring of steps with concrete, the price of which will be minimal, is possible only when all operations are performed by oneself. Formwork is made from edged boards with a thickness of 25 mm or more, for the connection of which nails and timber are used. The width of the formwork parts should be equal to the height of the steps, and the horizontality of the upper edges should be checked with a level. Boards are installed and held by hand, and then nailed to the frame.
Preparation of cement-sand mixture and concreting stairs
Do-it-yourself pouring of the steps of the porch is done with ready-made compounds, which are delivered by specially equipped vehicles. Another option for erecting a porch is the preparation of cement-sand mixtures using a concrete mixer or manually in a container suitable for these purposes. The pouring of steps with concrete is carried out starting from the lower step, in layers, with interruptions necessary for the composition to dry.
Making your own mixes will reduce the cost of building a porch. The process is carried out as follows: sand is poured into the trough, into which crushed stone and cement are added. The composition is mixed manually with a shovel until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Then water is added to the mixture in small portions with constant stirring. The consistency of concrete should correspond to the density of sour cream.
How to fill in the porch steps and get a solid structure? First of all, you should choose the right ratio of components.
The method for determining the required number of concrete components is as follows. Crushed stone is poured into the bucket to the upper level, then water is poured along the edge. The volume of liquid will correspond to the amount of sand and cement to be added to the concrete.
When doing work on your own, the question arises - how to fill in the steps of a low porch and do it right. Despite the apparent complexity of this process, it is quite possible to perform it without the involvement of specialists, and after that - also to make an aesthetic show to us.
To get the basic skills of construction work and form an understanding of how to concrete the steps of the porch, the video in this article will be very helpful. Write to us what you got as a result, share your experience with us.
The porch of the house is its face, an element that determines the overall style and architectural direction in exterior design. A concrete porch not only protects the interior of the house from the negative effects of weather conditions and street noise, but is also a small area that provides a convenient approach to the doors. It is important to note that it is the concrete porch that takes on a large share of external loads, so it is very important to clearly understand the sequence of all stages of work when erecting it. This information will be especially useful for those who want to know how to make a concrete porch with their own hands.
The functional purpose of the concrete porch
Very often during construction country houses with a high plinth, there is a problem that concerns the construction of the porch. It should correspond to the general style of the house, and since this building is located at a minimum distance from front door, then the choice of the performance of a concrete porch must be approached with all seriousness and responsibility. A concrete porch should not be easy beautiful veranda, but a stylish continuation of the facade of the house.
Advice! Carefully control the quality of work. An improperly flooded porch can greatly spoil the impression of the whole appearance of the house.
When building an entrance veranda made of concrete, it is very important to choose the right material. So, for example, if the building is built of brick, then the porch must be built of the same material.
Varieties of concrete porches
Depending on the shape of the steps, the porch is:
- rectangular shape;
- square shape;
- trapezoidal format.
The shape of a concrete porch is influenced by many factors: the size, configuration, and architectural features of the building.
In combination with other building elements, a concrete porch can be:
- closed type;
- open;
- verandah-shaped.
Also, railings are often mounted on a concrete veranda, making the appearance of the entire structure complete and very attractive.
The final result of the work on the construction of a concrete porch directly depends on the architectural features of the building, the wishes of the owners of the house, and, importantly, on the size of the construction budget.
In addition to the varieties of concrete porches discussed above, in Lately a concrete porch with a secret niche is gaining particular popularity. We will learn how to build such a porch in the next video
Concrete Porch Design
The first thing to do when planning the construction of a concrete porch is to create a design project that will contain the exact parameters of the future structure. It is also important to specify the size and number of steps. They should be such that it is easy for people of all ages to go up and down the stairs.
Advice! The staircase of the entrance veranda made of concrete should be wide enough so that with active movement a large number people were not in trouble.
When developing a porch construction plan, there are some very important factors to consider:
- The width of the stairs should be more than 0.9 m. This will help several people to easily move along it at the same time. If possible, the stairs should be made as wide as possible.
- The angle of inclination of the flight of stairs should be no more than 5 ° C. If you exceed this indicator, then the descent from the stairs will be very steep and therefore unsafe.
- The number of steps must be odd.
- The height of one step should not exceed 18 cm.
- The distance between the steps should be a maximum of 3 cm.
- The distance between the door and the platform of the veranda should be a maximum of 5 cm.
- The area of \u200b\u200bthe upper platform of the veranda should be of sufficient width for the free opening of the door.
It is very important, when starting construction work, to create a sketch, according to which a drawing plan is developed, indicating the main parameters and some nuances of the future concrete structure. It should also reflect the foundation of the future porch.
What mistakes should not be made when designing and building a concrete porch, we will find out in the next video
Concrete porch construction technology
Building a concrete porch without the involvement of third parties is a very difficult, physically demanding job. The technological process is quite understandable, and financial investments will be quite modest, due to the fact that a certain part of the building materials is waste from previous construction projects. So, for a small amount of money or for nothing you can get wooden planks and timber for mounting the formwork, brick battle for the construction of the foundation, sand.
We calculate and prepare materials
In order to avoid unnecessary purchases, you should focus on the following indicators: square meter pouring requires about 400 kg of cement, 1 m³ of sand and 0.9 m³ of crushed stone. The total volume of the future concrete structure can be easily calculated, guided by the main parameters indicated in the drawing.
To make the calculations simpler and more understandable, the design can be conditionally divided into several blocks, calculate the volume of each of them and put together all the indicators. Mathematical formula calculation: L (length) * W (width) * H (height).
How to calculate the material for reinforcing a concrete porch? The scheme for laying reinforced rods inside a concrete structure can be different. The best option is the intersection of vertical and horizontal rods, with a thickness of at least 0.15 cm. The resulting cells should have dimensions of no more than 20 cm. rod.
How to make formwork? Building material for this stage of work can not be bought. For these purposes, cuttings of wooden boards that are suitable in terms of parameters will fit perfectly. Bricks or timber trimmings are used as supports.
You only need to buy a mixture of sand and gravel, concrete and reinforcement. You will also need fasteners, wire, insulating material, and some sand and gravel for the foundation.
Digging a hole for the foundation
The marking of the location of the foundation starts from the middle of the front door. From this point, all marking on the ground is carried out. In the corners it is necessary to dig pegs along which the cord is pulled. In a fenced area, it is necessary to dig a hole under the foundation with a depth of about 0.5 m. Along the border of the pit, it is necessary to make another step from the ground, 0.2 m deep. At the bottom of the pit we pour gravel and sand. The embankment should be of such a height that about 0.2 m remains to the edge of the pit. If not sand and gravel mix good brick fight. It is very important to compact everything well and lay a layer of insulating material. It is also laid with an overlap on the wall, which is adjacent to the construction of the concrete porch.
Assembly of formwork and binding of reinforcement
If wooden boards are not wide enough, they are assembled into shields, the height of which should correspond to the height of one step. The length of the shield is equal to the length of the side of the future veranda. Then the shields are mounted along the edges of the foundation pit, leveled and fixed with timber stakes. Be sure to control the height of the shields.
Then we proceed to knitting the reinforcing cage. The reinforcement belt for each level of the future porch should be double. The lower grate should be raised 5 cm above the insulating material and the upper grate should be fixed so that it sinks 5 cm into the concrete. The knitting of the reinforcing cage begins with the assembly of the first level of the formwork and the knitting of the first reinforcing belt. After that, the second level of formwork and the second reinforcing belt are assembled. The next levels are assembled in the same way as the previous two. It is important to check whether the structure is securely fixed and, if necessary, fix it additionally. After that, you can fill in the prepared mixture of sand and gravel.
If it is planned to build a porch made of concrete of complex configuration, then flexible durable material, tin or plywood can be taken to form the foundation.
Filling formwork with concrete
Formwork pouring, for a more reliable result, should be carried out at a time. Calculate in advance required amount mixes, and consider the way in which it will be easiest to pour concrete into the formwork in one go. For these purposes, a homemade chute is best suited, through which concrete will be fed to the right place. After pouring concrete mortar into the formwork is finished, it is necessary to wait for its complete drying. As a rule, after forty-eight hours, the concrete completely hardens, but it is possible to dismantle the formwork and start further decorating the porch no earlier than a month later. It is during this time that concrete gains full strength. It is important to ensure that the concrete is protected from rain during the entire drying time.
Porch decoration
When the concrete is completely dry, the formwork can be dismantled and then proceed to the final decoration of the structure. To do this, use a variety of Construction Materials: stone, porcelain stoneware, clinker tiles.
The choice of finishes depends entirely on the taste and material capabilities of the owner of the house. It is important to choose the finish in such a way that it does not stand out from the general background. external walls buildings and fully combined in architectural style.
Learn more about how to properly veneer a concrete porch with clinker tiles in the next video
Conclusion
A concrete porch is a decoration of a private house. It protects the building from the harmful effects of the atmosphere. Having familiarized yourself with the basic processes of building a concrete porch, all work can be carried out on your own, quickly and efficiently.
Very often, when building a house, for a variety of reasons, many make a high base, which determines the presence of a porch. Also, the development of individual entrepreneurship in our country, with the organization of shops and cafes in the apartments of the first floors of our high-rise buildings, has radically increased interest in the construction of a concrete porch.
So, we need to build a porch with our own hands. We choose the material, dimensions, determine the functions. And it is with the functionality of the object that you need to start. If this is a device that provides a comfortable lifting of a person to the height of the entrance to the house, then you just need to calculate the number of steps with a lifting height of 15 to 20 cm, the dimensions of the platform for comfortable opening of the front door and thus determine the minimum dimensions of the porch.
Another thing is if the functions of the porch are connected to the terrace or, in addition to the utilitarian purpose, it is designed to solve additional aesthetic, architectural tasks.
In addition, you need to take into account that:
- the porch to a public place must have a ramp;
- if there are more than 3 steps, a handrail is required;
- anti-slip coating of the porch is a requirement of safety standards.
In this article, we will consider the construction of a concrete porch, as the most common design of such a structure.
Concrete porch - basic requirements and mistakes when doing it yourself
Despite the monumentality of this type of porch, they are the easiest to build, and subject to simple requirements, one of the most durable. First of all, let's outline these requirements and note the most common mistakes that lead to undesirable consequences.
Ideally, when the foundation of such a porch is carried out together with the foundation of the house and tied with it with a single armored belt, it is laid to the same depth and, as it should be, waterproofed. At the same time, he, together with the foundation of the house, will resist the forces of frost heaving, and prevent the transfer of moisture from the ground to the concrete mass of the porch. In this case, the separation of the porch from the house with the destruction of the foundation will not occur. But it is to such consequences that a violation of the construction technology of this engineering structure can lead.
In our country, often, when starting to build a new house and breaking down the process of its construction into stages, they forget about the porch, and then additional tasks have to be solved. And they are the same as in the case of adding a porch to an existing house, and this is first of all:
- arrangement of a separate foundation;
- providing waterproofing;
- arrangement of the armored belt of the platform and steps;
- device of a deformation (damper) seam.
About each stage separately
It is better to lay a separate foundation at the same depth as the foundation of the house. This minimizes the inevitable mutual displacement of the porch and the house in a vertical plane in winter. A deformation seam is also called upon to compensate for this effect. It is filled with thin polystyrene foam, basalt wool, foamed polyethylene, at worst - roofing material, with closing in the upper part with some kind of elastic water-repellent frost-resistant sealant.
I personally do not support numerous tips on tying various extensions to the house, including porches, for one simple reason: I do not know of a single case when a crack would not form between them. At the same time, the stronger and more reliable you try to provide a bunch, the more damage you can do to both structures. Let them live their own lives, and you will not notice their constant seasonal mutual displacements of 2-3 mm.
Waterproofing a concrete porch, and as thorough as possible, is due to the fact that concrete perfectly absorbs moisture, which, at the boundary temperature conditions repeatedly passes into a solid state - ice, expanding at the same time, which leads to a fairly rapid destruction of the porch. And if in the general mass this process, although it takes place, is less noticeable, then in the places where the porch finishing elements are attached (ceramic and paving slabs, natural stone, etc.), it proceeds at an accelerated pace, which can lead to its complete destruction in a few years.
About the reinforcement. Separate elements of the porch - steps - periodically take on a significantly greater load than the entire structure as a whole. The armo-belt contributes to its better distribution. And it is desirable to make it spatial and uniform for the entire structure.
Now let's talk about each of the stages. self construction concrete porches.
Preparation of the base for a concrete porch (foundation)
Above the freezing depth, you can lay the foundation for the porch only if the house itself has either a floating or shallow foundation. Otherwise, no expansion joint will be able to compensate for the difference in the differences in the linear values of the displacement from the frost heaving of the porch and the house. This requirement is especially important to comply with if the house is located on heaving soils. As a rule, the foundation for the porch is made in the form of a tape or on poles, if the porch itself is not very large and heavy.
It will also not be superfluous to worry about drainage filling under the foundation of sand, crushed stone, or a mixture of them.
If you decide to make your porch in the form of a single concrete structure, buried below the freezing depth, then worry at this stage about its serious waterproofing. To do this, lay geotextiles and a waterproofing film on the drainage layer, and after stripping the formwork, apply bitumen waterproofing to the side parts of the porch below ground level, or better, stick a special waterproofing material on it and fill the gap not with earth, but with sand for better drainage.
In cases where the columnar or strip foundation is made separately, it should be separated from the concrete part of the porch with two layers of roofing material, preferably on a bituminous primer. Prevent its contact with the ground with a layer of reliable waterproofing laid on a small sand cushion so that it does not draw moisture from the ground.
Porch formwork installation, concrete preparation and pouring
After you have taken care of waterproofing the porch, you can proceed with the installation of formwork for pouring concrete. One note: if you decide not to make a foundation at all, and this may be justified in the case when you make a small porch at the exit from the house to the garden or backyard, arrange a trough with sand under it and the same waterproofing. In this case, it is also possible to lay a layer of thermal insulation (polystyrene foam at least 5 cm).
In formwork, except for dimensional accuracy in the case of cladding standard materials, it is important to ensure that its configuration remains unchanged under the pressure on its walls of a large layer of heavy concrete. Provide material thickness and stops with a sufficient margin of safety initially. Believe me, driving in additional wedges and placing additional stops after pouring concrete, when under its weight the formwork begins to bend and bulge, is a thankless task and practically deprives you of the chance to get a porch with exact dimensions.
Already at the stage of formwork installation, you should worry about the expansion joint. Make it a little protruding beyond the dimensions of the porch - then it will be cut and compacted.
Having made, setting up and aligning the formwork, proceed to the formation of the armored belt of the porch. You can not do it only if your porch is a platform with one or two steps, which has sufficient thickness in the very bottleneck, although in this case I would have laid at least one layer of the armature mesh.
Cut the reinforcement so that its ends do not reach the formwork by 2 - 3 cm, connect them together with a knitting wire, I do not recommend welding. In general, in any place, the reinforcement must be protected by at least one and a half centimeter layer of concrete.
If you order ready-made concrete, then make sure that its grade is not lower than M200, and if you hammer it yourself, then add up to 2 buckets of sand and the same amount of crushed stone to 1 bucket of 400 cement, preferably 2 different fractions.
Well, if you don’t skimp on polypropylene or basalt fiber at the rate of: a small handful per pear of a concrete mixer, and pour 80-100 grams of liquid soap into the same pear, you will get a material that is more perfect than the one offered by concrete factories.
Concrete porch finishing
Pressed concrete has become one of the most advanced porch finishes in recent times. It is also called decorative or top concrete. Such a pleasure is quite expensive, but only if you order it from a specialized company. You, with the help of our recommendations, will be able to perform its simple types with your own hands.
With this option for finishing the porch, we simply do not add concrete to the top level of 2 - 3 cm, but prepare a slightly reinforced composition and lay it immediately on fresh concrete. Thus, only the surfaces that we will mold will have a different concrete composition. The composition of our press concrete is as follows:
- 1 part of cement M500;
- 1 part white river sand;
- 3% (by weight of cement) plasticizer C-3 or similar in properties, which, however, can be replaced by a similar amount (by weight) of liquid soap;
- polypropylene or basalt fiber, at the rate of 600 g per 1 cubic meter. concrete.
I think you noticed that there is no gravel in this composition. And it is right.
Carefully work over the upper part of the concrete with spatulas and trowels, slightly additionally iron with cement and wait for the setting to begin (the finger leaves a smooth, clear dent). Mold with polyurethane or silicone stamps that are simple in texture - there are a lot of offers and prices on the Internet. You can also make them yourself.
Before starting molding, sprinkle the surface of the concrete with a separating layer, which can be the same talc or iron oxide, if you want to lightly tint your porch, but frankly, it's better to do this later by tinting it entirely.
A little more difficult with the risers and side wings of the porch, if any. In this case, it is better to provide for the possibility of applying an additional layer of such plaster and mold it under the same conditions with the same stamps, treating their surface with liquid soap for better separation.
You can paint all this with simple compositions that are not difficult to make yourself by adding dyes to a deep penetration primer, or you can buy expensive fashionable ones and get almost the same effect.
Tip: make a piece of surface with press concrete somewhere on the side before pouring the porch. You will test everything, on it you will experiment with colors, mixing them. Get a unique pattern with a marble effect.
And about other ways to finish the porch, read on our website.
Dear readers, if you still have questions, ask them using the form below. We will be glad to communicate with you;)
The porch is the most important part of the exterior. country house. A beautifully executed entrance is a real decoration of the entire building, a detail that attracts attention and creates a sense of solidity. In this article, we will consider the simplest and most accessible method for everyone, with which you can build concrete steps for the porch with your own hands.
lined porch
Advantages of concrete steps for a porch
Steps ready
Concrete mortar is just a great material for building steps. A staircase made of such material, reinforced with reinforcement, can serve the owners for decades without repair (see also the article “ Cesspool from concrete rings suburban area: practical recommendations for self-construction).
A porch of this kind, regardless of whether ready-made concrete steps were used for the porch during its creation or not, has the following important characteristics:
- No noise. Such steps do not creak like wood and do not create a hum effect. The monolith absorbs all possible sounds;
- Not afraid of rust, rotting processes and insects;
- Not afraid of fires and high temperatures;
- Can be coated with any finishing material . Thus, it is possible to hide the concrete accessory and design the structure as a wooden one, for example;
- Repair in the presence of any damage on such a product will be inexpensive;
- A porch made of concrete can be endowed with the most unimaginable shape and have any required size.
Technology for the construction of steps for arranging the porch of a building
Ready-made monolithic structure
The external attractiveness of the porch directly depends on the quality of all construction work and compliance with existing building codes and regulations (see also the article “Mosaic concrete for the manufacture of a beautiful floor with marble chips”).
Violation of technology during the construction of even such a seemingly insignificant structural element can result in the following defects:
- The formation of cracks on the walls associated with the porch;
- Peeling of the finishing decorative layer from the surface of the porch;
- Subsidence of the porch relative to the building itself.
Correcting such defects is difficult, and in some cases even impossible.
Advice. Following all the norms during the construction process will allow you to avoid the time and effort associated with the dismantling of a reinforced monolithic product and the construction of a new one, which can double such a parameter as the price of erecting a concrete porch.
In order to save own forces and means it is important to follow three basic rules:
Advice. The connection of the foundations of the house and the porch is made by means of mutual reinforcement.
Advice. When erecting this element of the structure, one should not be too presumptuous and, subject to the lack of experience in the production of such work, one should still use the finished project.
Materials and tools required for work
For the construction of the porch, you will certainly need the following tools and materials:
- Portland cement;
- gravel-sand mixture;
- Reinforcing bar with a diameter of 6.5 mm;
- Wire for knitting fittings;
- Perforator with a set of drills for concrete;
- Special equipment with the help of which diamond drilling of holes in concrete can be carried out;
- Vibrator for compaction of the solution;
concrete vibrator
- Boards for the construction of formwork;
- Bars as formwork racks;
- Bulgarian - a tool with which reinforced concrete will be cut with diamond wheels;
- Concrete mixer;
- Electric saw for cutting boards and formwork bars;
- Shovels of two types: shovel and bayonet;
- Hammer with nails for the construction of formwork;
- Wheelbarrow for moving the solution;
- waterproofing material;
- Tool for knitting reinforcing wire.
Tool for knitting reinforcing corset
Preparatory activities
Territory preparation
Before starting work, the area for arranging the porch must be prepared:
- The construction site must be cleared;
- You should make markings under the foundation of the porch;
- Digging a foundation pit;
- Installation of wooden formwork for pouring the foundation;
- Installation of fittings under the porch;
Advice. To implement the method of mutual reinforcement, holes for reinforcement should be drilled in the foundation of the house.
- The prepared trench is covered with concrete mortar;
Advice. The solution is prepared from Portland cement and sand-gravel mixture in a ratio of 1/4. Water is added to the solution until a mass of the consistency of liquid porridge is obtained.
- Using a vibrator for concrete, we compact the structure;
Pouring the foundation under the porch
- We cover the poured foundation with burlap and let it harden for 3 days;
- We remove the formwork and cover the concrete with roofing material or cover it with molten tar.
Construction of formwork for steps
After the foundation is ready, it's time to think about the construction of the most concrete porch steps.
Instructions for arranging the porch consists in the implementation of the following actions:
Advice. The height of each step should not be more than 20 cm, and the width should not exceed 30 cm. The width of the porch should protrude 20-30 cm from each side of the front door.
In the photo - formwork covered with roofing material
Advice. If it is planned to build a railing, then at this stage reinforcement should be made in such a way that the branches of the rods rise 4-5 cm above the level of the steps.
Formwork filled with mortar
Decorative porch steps
Decorating the porch with cladding
Can be used for decoration concrete tile for porch steps, decorative or natural stone, or ceramic tile. The side walls can be decorated with bricks, foundation siding and other facade finishing materials suitable for the design of the building.
Finally
One of the design options
Concrete steps for a porch are an excellent, durable product that, with proper finishing, can please the owners of the building with its convenience and visual appeal for more than one year (read also the article “Slag concrete - everything you need to know about this type of material”).
It is absolutely easy to build such a structure with your own hands, but in order for the final structure to be durable, you should take care in advance not only of using high-quality materials, but of observing building codes.
You can learn more about what concrete steps are like by watching the video in this article.