Ask a pro: Covering concrete stairs

A solution is to apply a plywood skin or veneer over your old concrete stairs. It’s a simple fix that can be completed in a few hours.

Follow these five steps for a perfect finish:

1. Measure the tread of your existing stairs, and cut 3/4″-thick veneer plywood to the same size as your treads, adding 3/4″ in depth. (For example: a 10″ x 36″ stair tread would need a piece of plywood cut to10 3/4″ x 36″.)

2. Measure the stair risers and cut more plywood to size; only this time, subtract 3/4″ from the riser height.

3. Attach the risers to the treads with screws driven up through the bottom of the treads.

4. Apply a generous amount of construction adhesive to both the treads and the risers and then glue them to the concrete steps. You can set them into place by gently stepping on them.

5. Finally, apply a piece of shopmade or store-bought 1″-wide x 3/4″-deep bullnose trim to the exposed plywood edge with some wood glue and finishing nails. To finish it all off, give the plywood a sanding and apply your choice of stain, then top coat with polyurethane.