Finishing the front stairs

Even though its unseasonably hot today I decided to finish off the front stairs. I installed the new posts yesterday. Today I had to install new treads and back boards, if that's what they are even called, onto the risers.
After much thought and consideration, I decided to make the treads a little longer than the original ones, which had stopped near where the railing started. I made the new treads long enough to fit underneath the railings - adding almost a foot in length compared the old treads. I also let the treads hang out a few inches on each side, giving smoother lines to the stairs that is more in tune with the craftsman bungalow style. It also gives the stairs the appearance of being larger, and I believe, more welcoming. I had to notch out the last tread where it meets up with the post, but this wasn't as hard as I first thought. I just held the tread next to the post and marked off the areas were I had to cut. All in all I think the stairs look pretty good. I'm sure the stairs will look even better when I get around to putting some new paint on them, but that's for another day. The whole porch could use a new paint job. It's definitely on my to do list for this summer, but I'm not sure yet if I'm going to tackle that next, or start working on the rear sidewalk. I already have the brick pavers, and a large pile of stone dust in the backyard that's calling my name.

Tip of the Day  - Some of the old treads were still in pretty good shape so I decided to keep them around. The treads are made from the same board as the porch floor - you never know when you might need a replacement section or two.