We're replacing the front steps

Q. Our front steps are falling apart, and it’s going to cost a lot of money to get concrete foundation, new brick, etc. We were given an alternative to build wooden steps, and I was wondering, since I don’t see any wooden steps in my neighborhood, is it legal to have wood front steps and, if we can, what are the do’s and don’ts so we get this right?

A. Front steps are part of what I refer to as the presentation to passersby of your home’s appearance, so if that is a concern to you, the steps should be a reflection of the rest of the architecture, compatible and presentable. There is no code limitation on the material being nonflammable, so you can use wood.
I’m not a big fan of front steps made of wood, unless the rest of the house is of the same material. Even though I know there are many reasons to build out of wood, such as more lightweight construction, utilizing smaller foundation piers instead of larger concrete spread footings, and because the construction costs less, consider appearance and durability. Wood is more difficult and costly to maintain.
If you plan to use synthetic decking, a durable composite material, and polyvinyl or composite railings, again, consider cost and durability. The understructure, made of treated lumber, will never last as long as concrete, and the finish materials don’t take the abuse of moving washing machines, refrigerators and other large appliances in by way of your front door. The front door, by code, is required to be a minimum of three feet wide and is often the only door that is wide enough to get the large and heavy boxes into the house.
I speak from experience when I say that delivery people aren’t always as careful as you’d want them to be, and the nosing on my concrete paver block is now chipped and in need of replacement because of the new refrigerator we received. I watched them bang the box onto the step as the container was lifted, and even though I gritted my teeth, there was nothing to be done. Imagine what your beautiful wood or composite wood will look like the first time someone makes that heavy front-door package delivery.

Also, clearing snow and ice from the steps is going to pose problems if you use the edge of a shovel to scrape or chip the ice and snow.
I know that people say that nobody uses their front door, and that’s a terrific choice, but not practical, since I can’t imagine that all the uninvited people, like the postal worker, the delivery person, random solicitors and occasional guests, will enter through the side or garage door. And keep in mind that if you use wood, the fasteners should be hidden, and not top-face-nailed or screwed. With over 200 types of fasteners for this specific purpose, don’t let anybody tell you this can’t be done. Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.