Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 10/8/2008

Question
I have a front concrete porch with an ugly rug.  I plan on pulling up the rug, but then not sure what would be my best options for a new porch.  The concrete isn't going anywhere, so it's either wood or some sort of tile.  It has 3 steps, and is even/flat in about 90% of the porch. What options do I have, any help is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Justin, you covered two options already wood and tile.  Another option is to just clean up the concrete.  Most rug glues can be scraped up with a good scraper and then the porch can be sanded using a rented commercial floor buffer with a sanding disk.  If you use wood make sure that it is pressure treated.  If you have a step down coming out of the house that is deep enough you can tapcon (concrete screw) wood sleepers flat to the concrete first at 16" centers and then screw your deck wood to them.  Make sure that you always run your sleepers with the slope of the porch so that water that gets on the porch will drain off.  The same with installing wood decking without sleepers, make sure they go with the flow.  Tile or brick pavers is a good option, just make sure that they have some grit to them and not a glazed surface, they can get slippery when wet.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com