ᐅ Redesigning the Exterior Staircase: From Unattractive Colorful Granite to...?

Hello everyone,

The outdoor staircase of our house is nearly 25 years old. I think the previous owner probably wanted to get that job done quite cheaply back then. It is made of this very colorful granite. In terms of stone quality, the staircase is probably still perfectly fine. For me, it’s too light and busy; something darker and more uniform would better match the house and front door. Maybe this question or idea is completely unreasonable, but is there any way to redesign the existing staircase to make it darker or more uniform? Is it possible to apply some kind of covering over it? Painting is definitely the wrong word, but you know what I mean?

This is what it looks like;

And if anyone has a tip on which plaster or cleaning agent works best to really get these types of stairs clean, removing all the green algae growth and discolorations, I would be very happy to hear it.

Cleaning with granite stone cleaner.
As a long-lasting solution, I only see removing the old covering and installing a new one. Painting or varnishing will not last.
Simply placing a new covering on top may cause height issues without saving much effort.

Replacing the granite with dark tiles or stones, in my opinion, is a mistake. You will end up cleaning all the time because every tiny piece of lint shows up clearly on dark surfaces, not to mention shoe prints.

Besides, granite is a solid, natural stone—not an artificial, fragile material that you might have to repair in two years because it’s cracked.

Of course, this is a matter of personal taste. But I would take a close look at the alternatives before dismissing the “old” option. Comparable quality is likely to be quite expensive. A thorough cleaning should already make a significant difference to the appearance.

I had a concrete patio slab that was completely stained brown with efflorescence. Nothing would remove it—I scrubbed, tried stone cleaner, and even a steam cleaner didn’t help. Then I tried Lithofin Outdoor Cleaner again, and it was truly a miracle product! I rubbed it into the stone and rinsed it off after 4 hours; the stone looked like new afterwards. I can really recommend this cleaner. However, I wouldn’t just replace an expensive granite staircase so easily.

Best regards,
Sabine