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Front Entrance Fix-Up Dean and Derek transform a front entrance, giving it the kind of respect it deserves. Check out more Rock Solid home improvement projects. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-407

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At the Quarry

A trip to the quarry may be necessary to pick out the perfect stones for your project. First, calculate how much stone you'll need. Remember that you can always bring your measurements to the quarry, and they'll tell you how much you'll need.

Dean and Derek use a few different types of stone for their new step system. They use a real stone veneer to cover the brick risers. (Stone veneer is a thin stone used to cover surfaces.) For the treads, they use Oakmont Brownstone. Finally, they pick up some additional pieces of brownstone to use for the platform at the top of the steps. These brownstone multiples come in different sizes, so you can create your own pattern to cover the platform.

If you have a truck, you can load the stones into your own truck at the quarry. Otherwise, you'll need to have them delivered to your home.

Cutting Stone to Size

If you purchase a tread that is too long for the steps, it will need to be cut. To cut a tread, you first mark off where you want to cut it. (Derek has allowed for a one-inch overhang on either side when cutting his tread.) Then use a 4-1/2 inch masonry grinder to score a break line that's about 1-inch deep. Then use a stone hammer to pop the end off.

Safety Alert: Be certain to wear eye protection any time you are chipping or cutting stone.

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	Figure E
	Figure F

Use a chisel and stone hammer to create a rock faced edge where you made your cut, so that the edge of the stone will look natural (figure E).

Set First Tread

Before setting any stone, it's important that you first plan out your step design. You'll be setting down treads, risers and pieces of brownstone multiples. It will be important that everything be properly measured and symmetrical, otherwise you'll have a lot more work on your hands correcting things.

You'll want to start with the treads first, since they need to be set before adding any risers. For this project, Dean and Derek first set down the tread for the lower step. To do this, first lay down a thick bed of mortar to rest the tread on. Then put down the stone tread. Make sure that it is centered and level over the step system (figure F). You'll also want to make sure that the stone is pitched forward just slightly (about a quarter bubble on your level,) so that any water will flow down the stairs.

Copper Flashing; Adding Stone Treads to Sides

Before you place any stones against the front of your house, you'll want to put in some copper flashing. Copper flashing is a thin strip of copper that will protect any wood on the front of your house from moisture. Simply nail down the copper flashing to the front of your house, and then you're ready to set the stone treads and brownstone multiples.

For the side treads, use the same method as with your front tread: lay down some mortar and place the two side pieces along the edges of your platform. These treads should now run along the edges of your platform, and will frame the brownstone multiples that you'll eventually install.

Set Rest of Platform

Now that the stone treads have been set, you can finish your platform. For their project, Dean and Derek use five different pieces of multiple brownstone, cut to different sizes for a distinctive look. Of course, you can use whatever design you'd like.

When you're laying down multiple brownstone, be sure to lay down the front pieces (farthest from the front door) first. Then work back towards the door. That way, if you end up having to cut any of your pieces of stone (which is very likely,) then they'll be hidden in the back.

Lay down your mortar base, then put down the stone pieces. Use a rubber mallet to tap the pieces flat. For this project, Dean and Derek set half-inch joints.

If you do end up having to cut, you can use your 4-1/2 inch masonry grinder, the same as with the stone treads.

After you've put down the pieces of stone multiples for your platform, then the final step is to joint the pieces. Use a jointer to fill in the joints, then smooth them out with a paintbrush.

Figure G

Risers: Stone Veneer

Now you're ready to set the stone veneer on the risers and sides of the stair unit. For each row, start with the corner pieces first (figure G). Also, bear in mind that the cement at the top of your platform may be a little uneven since you knocked the lip off at the beginning of this project. So be sure to put down a lot of mortar to get enough grip for the veneer.

For their risers, Dean and Derek mix up their thin veneer stones for color and size variety. They center the top riser with a chunky square-shaped stone, and then put down two longer stones to either side. For the lower riser, they put a longer stone in the middle, and two shorter stones on either side. The result is a more pleasing design for your steps.

Jointing the Risers

Use a jointer and some stiffer mortar to fill in the all of the joints between the stones. You want to make sure that there are no places where water can get into. Be sure to get all of the joints going across and down, and then smooth them out with a paintbrush.

Final Stone Tread

Your final task for the steps is to lay down the last stone tread. Lay down a thick layer of mortar, same as with the previous treads, then place the stone tread down. Give it some good whacks with the rubber mallet to get it in place, then check to make sure that it's pitching forward, and level from right to left. Once the stone is set, then your steps are complete, and it's time to move on to the walkway.

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