ᐅ Entrance platform for front door, concrete

ypg schrieb:

During registration, you are directed to the terms and conditions.

Sure, but show me someone who actually reads the terms and conditions in forums...

When I look at your pictures, I would first develop an idea of how everything should work together, because the mix of shapes and materials right in front of the entrance still has potential for design.

Hello and thanks for your suggestions.

You are right about the mix around the platform. I would like, in the near future—if the platform is in place—to build a nice pathway with gray paving stones around the house.

My second idea is as follows:

1.) I would simply leave the existing slab (see photo) as it is and place curbstones as formwork stones around the existing platform (front edge and both sides). At the same time, these would serve as edge protection and determine height/slope for leveling.

2.) Then I would fill the substructure up to the top edge of the slab with concrete through the grid grate.

3.) I would fill the rest up to the door threshold with flowing screed to create a smooth, even surface along the length.

4.) I would apply a non-slip floor coating to the new surface (screed).

4.) At the door, I would use edge insulation strips against the facade and finally seal with silicone or acrylic.

Or, as explained at the beginning, rebuild the whole thing completely as a new concrete foundation with a subsequent floor coating.

ypg schrieb:

Names, companies, etc. may be mentioned

Is that really the case? I regularly find that it backfires on me.

Vicky Pedia schrieb:

Is that really the case? I regularly run into problems because of it.

Not for me.

I would welcome any further suggestions.

I don’t have very specific suggestions, but I do have a way of thinking about how I approach my projects:

The first aspect should be the material you want to have in that particular spot. Of course, cost is an important factor in making such a decision, but in my experience, you should only check the price very late in the process so that creativity isn’t limited by it. Often, you come up with ideas you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

If you choose concrete, I would try to emphasize its characteristics (the wordplay is a coincidence). One way to do this, in my opinion, is to pour a solid base and then grind its surface. Depending on the size and type of the aggregate used, the stones become visible—because they are ground—showing as small or larger rounded areas, similar to what you see in terrazzo.

I designed a terrace like this and am very happy with it, among other reasons because it is so solid. Tiles can’t loosen or anything like that—the surface does not need "extra" finishing. The material is visible (and looks good to me). Here is a picture of the unfinished structure:

The surface was not polished to avoid slipping when it’s wet. If you have some basic DIY skills, you could also consider grinding it yourself. In my opinion, an angle grinder with a grinding disc is enough. My terrace was ground by a professional using machines costing several thousand dollars, but this wouldn't be necessary for an area of about 2 square meters (22 square feet).

Of course, a surface finished with an angle grinder won’t be as precise, but “handmade” has its own charm—which varies depending on the person doing the work. You can largely control the color using this method. Concrete can be easily pigmented, and if I remember correctly, there is even white concrete available, which is probably more expensive but allows for more color variety. (Otherwise, like a painter with a canvas, you have to incorporate the natural gray of standard concrete.)

A more refined—but also more labor-intensive—option, in my opinion, would be a large stone block. For this, I believe the same principle applies as with concrete: the material’s inherent character should be highlighted.