How do I remove brick planters?

Cathy Barney
by Cathy Barney
I want to update my front porch by removing planters and adding a small deck along the front half of the house. How can remove or incorporate the window planter into the deck?
L shaped planter with ugly ivy!
Think this would be a nice area to enjoy the shade on summer evenings!
  8 answers
  • Lina Splichal Lina Splichal on Jun 25, 2018

    In this case you could cover the planters with padded cushions attached to a board (plywood piece) of the correct size and build the deck out and around the end of the planter that currently has plants. You could also use the planters as storage areas (under the cushions) for cleaning or yard materials, table cloths, chair cushions, etc.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 25, 2018

    I would not remove,simp;ly paint them with exterior masonry paint, remove the ivy, replant with pretty flowers ,use a indoor outdoor carpet with some color and place a comfortable outdoor couch, put some solar light around and a wind chime....instant sitting area

  • Bijous Bijous on Jun 26, 2018

    What a great idea! It would open up the front of the house. You can remove the brick by using a hammer and knocking the mortar loose. It is a job, but well worth it. Save the brick in case it needs to be used for the front of the house where the existing brick may have been damaged. To remove the mortar from a brick use an electric sander. Then it's ready to be re-used. Good luck.

  • Annelisse Annelisse on Jul 15, 2018

    I would also remove the out of date planter. It really boxes in the front porch. No point in trying to incorporate it; remove it and enjoy a nice, open deck/patio. It will boost the curb appeal tremendously!

    A chisel and hammer is all it takes.

  • Cathy Barney Cathy Barney on Jul 15, 2018

    Thanks for the suggestions! I can visualize this completely!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 25, 2021

    Lift the height of the deck to match the steps to front door, or deck out as normal and incorporate raised seating using the front of Planter as back of seating!

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 26, 2021

    I would remove the planter cause it comes out further than the entrance concrete slab (towards the first step) and is higher also than the entrance slab. I would take a sledge hammer to it and remove it.

    Second option would be to lower the top of the planter to just below the level of the entrance slab. You could use a masons chisel and small sledge hammer. You could then make a 2x4: wooden frame that would fit inside the remainder of the planter, and then add treated decking boards across to the end point. You will have to build a second support tower under that end point,,,, could be concrete blocks or a sonotube with concrete and anchors.

  • Janice Janice on Jan 29, 2024

    You can remove the planter using a sledge hammer for the main portions and then a regular hammer as you get into the smaller areas near the base.