Steps & Approaches
| Chuck Schultz Phone (248)342-3341 chuck@XtremeCustomConcrete.com |
Steps
NOTHING MAKES A STATEMENT LIKE AN ELEGANT ENTRANCE TO YOUR
HOME. WE CAN TRANSFORM AND INSPIRE THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF
YOUR HOME THROUGH PERSONAL DESIGN. WITH OUR KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERTISE WE WILL CREATE A ONE OF A KIND ENTRANCE WITH YOUR
PERSONAL TOUCH. SEE THE PHOTO BELOW FOR A REPRESENTATION.
HOME. WE CAN TRANSFORM AND INSPIRE THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF
YOUR HOME THROUGH PERSONAL DESIGN. WITH OUR KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERTISE WE WILL CREATE A ONE OF A KIND ENTRANCE WITH YOUR
PERSONAL TOUCH. SEE THE PHOTO BELOW FOR A REPRESENTATION.
| NOTICE THE IMPRINTS OF THE PALM LEAVES IN THE DARK BORDER. ACCENTS LIKE THIS ARE WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US TO SET YOUR HOME APART. WE HAVE MANY IMPRINTS AVAILABLE AND WHAT WE DON'T HAVE, WE'LL FIND. |
ALREADY HAVE A LOOK FOR YOUR HOME AND ARE UNSURE OF HOW TO
TIE THE ENTRANCE TOGETHER? WE WILL CUSTOM FORM LARGE
OVERHANGS ON THE TREADS SO THAT THE MATCHING STONE FROM
YOUR HOME CAN BE INSERTED ONTO THE RISERS. THE STEPS AND
SIDEWALK ARE ONE MONOLITHIC POUR AND THE FAUX STONE WAS
ADDED AFTER WE WERE FINISHED.
TIE THE ENTRANCE TOGETHER? WE WILL CUSTOM FORM LARGE
OVERHANGS ON THE TREADS SO THAT THE MATCHING STONE FROM
YOUR HOME CAN BE INSERTED ONTO THE RISERS. THE STEPS AND
SIDEWALK ARE ONE MONOLITHIC POUR AND THE FAUX STONE WAS
ADDED AFTER WE WERE FINISHED.
| CUSTOM FORMING LIKE IN THE PHOTO ABOVE CAN BE EXPENSIVE, HOWEVER CREATING A SHADOW LINE ON A STEP ADDS ELEGANCE AND CHARACTER. TO HELP WITH COST EFFECTIVENESS WE CAN CREATE REVERSED SHADOW LINES THROUGH SAW CUTTING AND ACID STAINING, LIKE IN THIS PICTURE. NOTICE THE LIGHT RISERS AND DARK TREADS? THROUGH THIS PROCESS WE CREATE DEPTH AND CHARACTER WITHOUT THE COST OF CUSTOM FORMING. |
IT IS AMAZING WHAT JUST A SIMPLE THREE INCH RADIUS CAN
DO FOR THE LOOK OF A STEP. STRAIGHT LINES HAVE THEIR
PLACE, HOWEVER FOR A SINGLE STEP NOTHING COMPARES TO
A SLIGHT BOW.
DO FOR THE LOOK OF A STEP. STRAIGHT LINES HAVE THEIR
PLACE, HOWEVER FOR A SINGLE STEP NOTHING COMPARES TO
A SLIGHT BOW.
| I SEE SO MANY STEPS THAT LOOK UNFINISHED ON BACK PATIOS. REMEMBER, THAT WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE STEPS OFF OF A DOOR WALL THE STEPS WILL BE THE FOCAL POINT OF YOUR PATIO. BECAUSE IT IS ELEVATED THE HUMAN EYE IS NATURALLY DRAWN TO IT. HERE WE CREATED MASS THROUGH STRAIGHT LINES BY MIMICKING THE CANTILEVERED DOOR WALL. BY DOING THIS IT LOOKS NATURAL AND ALSO CREATES PLENTY OF SPACE FOR POTTED PLANTS AND GARDEN DECOR. THIS JOB IS PLAIN CONCRETE WITH COLORED TEXTURED ACCENTS ON THE STEP RISERS AND BORDER OF THE PATIO. |
This is an English Yorkstone pattern that shows
great color and texture. The varying widths in the
grout lines give that "Old World" look that is
charming. However, due to the size of the larger
stones, it doesn't make a great imprint for steps. We
remedy this delimma by stamping the step with a
Roman Slate texture skin and create an accent that is
natural looking.
great color and texture. The varying widths in the
grout lines give that "Old World" look that is
charming. However, due to the size of the larger
stones, it doesn't make a great imprint for steps. We
remedy this delimma by stamping the step with a
Roman Slate texture skin and create an accent that is
natural looking.
This entrance is the first step of renovation on a 101
year old home. Because of the 48" height difference
between the ground and the bottom of the door we
added a 30" landing in between the steps to
eliminate a hand railing.
We angled the bottom steps to mimick the roof line
of this home and put a nice radius on the sidewalk
and remaining steps to soften the look. This creates
an inviting entrance and compliments the builders
choice of design. See the photo below for a
different angle.
year old home. Because of the 48" height difference
between the ground and the bottom of the door we
added a 30" landing in between the steps to
eliminate a hand railing.
We angled the bottom steps to mimick the roof line
of this home and put a nice radius on the sidewalk
and remaining steps to soften the look. This creates
an inviting entrance and compliments the builders
choice of design. See the photo below for a
different angle.
We chose the London Cobble stamp for the walk and
landing, This stamp is appropriate for the era this home
was built. Because of the size of the steps we wanted to
break up the design and create some elegance, we were
able to do this by stamping the steps with a roman slate
texture.
Notice the slight radius on the bottom and top two steps?
If this entrance was created with angles only it would have
had a commercial look and detracted from the overall look.
This job was poured with Phoenix Tan integral base, Dark
Walnut release and Mission Brown Borders. We also have
Terra Cota, Golden Sandstone and Ash White highlights.
landing, This stamp is appropriate for the era this home
was built. Because of the size of the steps we wanted to
break up the design and create some elegance, we were
able to do this by stamping the steps with a roman slate
texture.
Notice the slight radius on the bottom and top two steps?
If this entrance was created with angles only it would have
had a commercial look and detracted from the overall look.
This job was poured with Phoenix Tan integral base, Dark
Walnut release and Mission Brown Borders. We also have
Terra Cota, Golden Sandstone and Ash White highlights.
By narrowing a set of steps in the middle you create flow.
This shape invites you to either go up or down just by the
shape of them. The "landing" at the bottom of the steps
was critical in achieving this look, without it the steps
would be unfinished and obtrusive. An added bonus to
this is that you have an edge to weed wack against so that
you do not destroy the finish on the riser of the step.
Details are what make the difference in creating the right
atmosphere for your home. You can look at a job and
something just doesn't seem right yet you cannot put your
finger on it, Usually it is a design flaw. If you cannot
envision the finished job you have to trust your contractor
and their experience.
This shape invites you to either go up or down just by the
shape of them. The "landing" at the bottom of the steps
was critical in achieving this look, without it the steps
would be unfinished and obtrusive. An added bonus to
this is that you have an edge to weed wack against so that
you do not destroy the finish on the riser of the step.
Details are what make the difference in creating the right
atmosphere for your home. You can look at a job and
something just doesn't seem right yet you cannot put your
finger on it, Usually it is a design flaw. If you cannot
envision the finished job you have to trust your contractor
and their experience.
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The photo on the left shows how we incorporated the house design into the length of the steps. They look as if the architect designed the
recess with the steps and patio in mind. This same patio was designed with a step down perimeter, eliminating a third step at the doorwall.
Notice how we recessed the drop down face of the patio in the photo on the right to negate a commercial look. Little accents make the
difference when designing your retreat.
recess with the steps and patio in mind. This same patio was designed with a step down perimeter, eliminating a third step at the doorwall.
Notice how we recessed the drop down face of the patio in the photo on the right to negate a commercial look. Little accents make the
difference when designing your retreat.
Ask about our lighting packages. Whether it is diffused lighting as above or an LED lighting system around the perimeter of your patio or walk we can come up with a lighting
solution for your home. All of the lights that we install are low voltage and we enclose the wiring within conduit. That way if there ever is a problem new wiring can be pulled through
with no worries. Our flushed mounted LED lights are installed so that they can easily be removed and replaced if needed, they come in white or blue.
solution for your home. All of the lights that we install are low voltage and we enclose the wiring within conduit. That way if there ever is a problem new wiring can be pulled through
with no worries. Our flushed mounted LED lights are installed so that they can easily be removed and replaced if needed, they come in white or blue.
We created the entrance to this home with lazy summer evenings in mind. After determining that the owners wanted a glider and a couple of
chairs for their growing family, soft radius curves with a raised porch was our design. The Old English Yorkstone pattern with a Terra Cota
base and Walnut release with multi colored highlights blend well with the colors of the home.
chairs for their growing family, soft radius curves with a raised porch was our design. The Old English Yorkstone pattern with a Terra Cota
base and Walnut release with multi colored highlights blend well with the colors of the home.
We continued with the raised patio with radius steps in the rear of
the home. Not only do you have the convenience of being able to
step off of your patio at any point, this design has a distinct beauty
all of its own. We strive to create a unique beautiful design just for
you and your family.
the home. Not only do you have the convenience of being able to
step off of your patio at any point, this design has a distinct beauty
all of its own. We strive to create a unique beautiful design just for
you and your family.
There was a forty inch drop from the patio doors down to ground level. I
did not see this as an obstacle, Instead I saw an opportunity to be
creative with the design and incorporate multi levels and angles to
blend with the builder's design. Notice how all of the steps end evenly
with the angled walls of the sitting room? See how we even added small
forty five degree angle's to the ends of the top three steps? And lastly
how about the diamond shaped recesses in the face of the raised patio.
did not see this as an obstacle, Instead I saw an opportunity to be
creative with the design and incorporate multi levels and angles to
blend with the builder's design. Notice how all of the steps end evenly
with the angled walls of the sitting room? See how we even added small
forty five degree angle's to the ends of the top three steps? And lastly
how about the diamond shaped recesses in the face of the raised patio.
Mass creates a statement to a home! Notice how we dropped the riser between the top two steps to eliminate the brick. That makes all the
risers of the steps even and makes the space between the pillars appear even larger. With the front walk approaching from the left we wanted
to add balance by surrounding the lower landing with a ribbon of walk.
risers of the steps even and makes the space between the pillars appear even larger. With the front walk approaching from the left we wanted
to add balance by surrounding the lower landing with a ribbon of walk.
Exposed Aggregate has a classic beauty all it's own. Here we installed a landing step at the top and bottom of the steps because of the grade
changes in this slope. Notice the radius on the faces of the steps and acid stained borders? We incorporated this look into the walk and patio
also. This particular job we used an integral color in the exposed aggregate to give it the brown hue that you see. It acts as a base color and the
stones are the highlights.
changes in this slope. Notice the radius on the faces of the steps and acid stained borders? We incorporated this look into the walk and patio
also. This particular job we used an integral color in the exposed aggregate to give it the brown hue that you see. It acts as a base color and the
stones are the highlights.
Here we have our Roman Slate Texture skin pattern poured in earth tones with an acid stained border. The key to this design was creating a
set of steps that didn't look commercial. We accomplished this by building a gentle curve into them and lengthening the treads as the slope
flattened out. We also put a 4" radius on the face of all the steps. Notice the retaining wall we poured where the patio meets the corner of the
home?
set of steps that didn't look commercial. We accomplished this by building a gentle curve into them and lengthening the treads as the slope
flattened out. We also put a 4" radius on the face of all the steps. Notice the retaining wall we poured where the patio meets the corner of the
home?
This job is all exposed aggregate. We poured the risers of
the steps and the pillars for the bench monolithically with the
patio. We then poured the risers for the steps and the seating
area for the bench separately on site to mimick limestone.
Afterwards we mounted them on a mortar bed for the unique
look that you see above.
the steps and the pillars for the bench monolithically with the
patio. We then poured the risers for the steps and the seating
area for the bench separately on site to mimick limestone.
Afterwards we mounted them on a mortar bed for the unique
look that you see above.
This job was very interesting. The homeowner had a contractor install the tile on the porch and the risers of the steps and pour rough
concrete steps as a base. She then seen our website and asked if we could create a special look for the treads. My answer was "absolutely"!
We then formed the treads in the driveway and kept the thickness at 1 1/4" to maintain proper riser hieghts for the steps. I used our multi
layered coloring system for the treads to tie in with the accent tiles on the risers and the top of the porch. We then grouted the treads like
large tiles to tie it all together.
concrete steps as a base. She then seen our website and asked if we could create a special look for the treads. My answer was "absolutely"!
We then formed the treads in the driveway and kept the thickness at 1 1/4" to maintain proper riser hieghts for the steps. I used our multi
layered coloring system for the treads to tie in with the accent tiles on the risers and the top of the porch. We then grouted the treads like
large tiles to tie it all together.
This walk is unusual as it was poured monolithically and is plain
concrete in the center and exposed aggregate on the borders. I like
the look, it is both simple yet elegant.
concrete in the center and exposed aggregate on the borders. I like
the look, it is both simple yet elegant.
