Concrete

If you cover the stairs with cement mortar, you should not count on aesthetic appeal and a long service life. The steps quickly crack, and to avoid this, plasticizers and reinforcing additives are added to the concrete. The surface is polished, because it does not slip even after such treatment and looks much better, especially at the entrance to buildings made in the high-tech or minimalist style.

The market offers modern reliable materials for arranging a porch: composite fiber concrete, printed graphite concrete. In appearance, they can compete with natural stone.

concrete porch porch made of stamped concrete overlays on steps made of composite fiber concrete

Brick

If the house is built of brick, similar finishing of steps will be the right decision. For this purpose, it is better to choose fireclay brick, since it is durable, resistant to abrasion and repeated temperature changes. But the classic brick from which the walls of the building were built will serve faithfully for many years.

A brick porch fits harmoniously into the classic urban and provincial private architecture, does not slip underfoot, but requires skill and accuracy in arrangement.

semicircular porch made of red fireclay brick steps made of vertically stacked bricks Steps made of horizontally stacked bricks

Paving slabs

This material is specially designed for facing pedestrian paths, it is safe and durable. The democratic price of paving slabs, a variety of shapes and colors pleases. But, as with brick, you will have to use the services of a professional mason if you do not have the art of masonry.

A porch paved with the same paving slabs as the approach road to the house looks especially attractive. Complete the composition with a colorful pattern.

paving slabs porch made of colorful paving slabs porch and approach road made of the same paving slabs

Clinker

We are not considering ordinary tiles in this selection, although they are still used for budget facing of steps. Ceramic tiles are slippery underfoot and quickly crack, so they are hardly worth even minimal investment. But durable wear-resistant clinker fully justifies the money spent, because it lasts up to 50 years.

Clinker tiles come in a variety of colors and are quickly installed, but they have a significant drawback – they are unsafe in the cold season, so it is better to equip the steps with anti-slip pads.

clinker porch with a gradient red clinker stairs with white risers porch and approach road made of brown aged clinker

Decking

If desired, you can also arrange a wooden porch, especially if we are talking about a small country cottage made of logs or timber. But wood will not last long – it rots, warps, dries out, is eaten away by insects and is affected by fungi. For the feet, decking or terrace boards are better suited.

WPC (wood-polymer composite) combines the beauty and safety of natural wood with the strength and moisture resistance of modern types of plastic.

porch made of decking boards porch made of decking with lighting porch made of WPC and stone

Natural stone

A stone porch looks solid and delights guests for decades. Granite, marble, travertine, slate, and basalt are used for facing steps. All of them have a unique pattern and structure. Porous and rough rocks are comfortable to move around, but they get dirty easily. Polished steps retain a presentable appearance better, but require anti-slip pads or coatings.

Natural stone has two disadvantages: high cost and the impossibility of arranging a porch without special tools and cutting equipment, therefore, without the intervention of professional labor.

travertine porch gray granite porch dark marble

Porcelain tiles

We will finish the selection with probably the best option. Porcelain stoneware slabs look respectable, serve for a long time, have a pleasant rough surface, are quickly laid, thanks to their impressive dimensions – in general, they are worth every penny spent.

The easiest steps to install are those made of porcelain stoneware cut into ready-made segments: treads, risers, baseboards, rounded corners.

porch made of black porcelain stoneware porch made of porcelain stoneware