Entrance Makeover

Kate transforms the front of her house into a welcoming threshold.

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My 1970s brick and weatherboard home looked dated and seriously lacked any street appeal. The amber glass, maroon trims and bricked arches were probably masterpieces in their day, but that day was long gone. It was time to dig deep for some DIY know-how. The entry to a home is the first impression visitors receive, so is often a high-maintenance area. By selecting durable materials and hardy plants, my threshold now looks good and is relatively care-free.

Download Entrance Makeover project PDF

Concrete Makeover
The old concrete was whipped into shape with two coats of Wattyl Permo-Pave Non-Slip Paving Paint in ‘Iron Grey’ for a slip-free area. It’s a great product to use on concrete, asphalt or timber surfaces including patios, walkways, steps and pool surrounds.

Looking Good
Windows, I bought the timber windows from Bunnings. They have standard sizes, but you can also have them custom made through the Special Orders desk. Homeview Windows are fully assembled and ready for painting. They come with glass and lockable hardware, with frames in aluminum or timber such as meranti, western red cedar and pre-primed pine.
Doors, If space permits, double doors make a grand front feature. I went to Corinthian Doors, which has a huge range of modern styles and finishes, and they’re available through major hardware stores.
Locks and Handles, I chose 450mm long pull handles from the Lane Security Platinum Collection, along with a roller mortise lock for easy operation, and a double deadlock cylinder for security.

STEP 1

Jackhammer the old tiles
Anything not staying will need to be removed so new brickwork can begin. Jackhammer up old tiles to reveal the original concrete slab.

STEP 2

Out with the old
A front entry overhaul can’t be completed in a day, so remove old doors and windows in stages to ensure the house remains secure and weatherproof during construction.

STEP 3

Install new windows
Replace old aluminium windows with new timber awning-style ones. Lift them into place and install flashing at the sill. Fix into place at three points down either side.

STEP 4

Lay new brickwork
Have a bricklayer key the new bricks into the old brickwork to ensure the cement render won’t crack later. Sills at the bottom of the new windows were square-set for a modern look.

STEP 5

Hang the new doors
Fix a timber jamb to the new brick nibs and hang the doors using three hinges each. TIP I ordered the jamb and doors together to ensure a similar timber and a perfect fit.

STEP 6

Stain the timberwork
Protect new timber against the weather by using an exterior stain.
TIP: I used two coats of Sikkens HLS in Light Oak as a basecoat, followed by two coats of Sikkens Super Natural Top Coat.