Entry
Entryways to the house can incorporate creative ways to provide passage with a mix of step and step-free access points. In single-family houses, especially in remodeling situations, it may not be possible to create multiple step-free routes into the home. In some cases, the rise from grade might be very steep. In other instances, there might not be room on the lot to create a properly sloped entry route.
$$$ $
High
This can be as simple as pouring a new concrete pad and stairs, then modifying any adjacent detailing or if adjusting for grade, more extensive dirt work will be necessary to have a gradual approach that ends up being flush with the house.
How-to tip
When grading around the house, be careful to ensure rain water will drain away from the house. Avoid situations with water running into basements, crawl spaces or the neighbor’s yard. Raising a porch level may involve rebuilding the stairs to add an additional step, adding stair rails, or altering a porch’s guard rail.