Porch done-ish

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
RearAdmiral

RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,276
128
106
http://imgur.com/a/RMHdS

So my porch is pretty much done, just need to cut and put the siding up again, then remount the railing higher and buy more railing to cover the whole porch. I'll have some concrete guys come out and give some thoughts on redoing my two sections of steps. Was a fun project and I learned a lot. Wood at Lowes was mostly garbage, quite a few narrow boards that caused issues. In the front section I used big ol' metal clamps for a lot of boards which made it look a bit better than the side portion.

The new porch isn't 100% pretty with a couple gaps that are bigger than I'd like and a few other issues but it is 100x better than what used to be there. Not a super expensive project either, about 1k. Overall I am quite pleased with it and getting the fascia up with some nice new stairs / railings will make it look even better. I'll end up staining in the spring after I wash all the yuckiness off.
 
DrPizza

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
166
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Looking good. Did you try looking at any actual lumberyards for the lumber? For a lot of things that are rather common and which have a varying price, Lowes/HD seem to at least come close. E.g., plywood. But for some things, especially wood trim, the quality at my local lumberyard is much better and the price is often less than half of the box stores.
 
RearAdmiral

RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,276
128
106
DrPizza said:
Looking good. Did you try looking at any actual lumberyards for the lumber? For a lot of things that are rather common and which have a varying price, Lowes/HD seem to at least come close. E.g., plywood. But for some things, especially wood trim, the quality at my local lumberyard is much better and the price is often less than half of the box stores.
Click to expand...

I did not look at a local lumberyard. I considered it but did not check it out. Perhaps I should have. Last time I went to a lumberyard to guys were kind of a-holes so that might have something to do with it.

KnightBreed said:
Is there any risk of standing water under the decking damaging the framing?
Click to expand...

Possibly. The porch doesn't typically get super wet at least. We routed out quite a few channels in the bottom of the framing boards to allow more water / air flow to help in drying.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,877
4,995
126
VERY NICE!

I'm so angry with myself -- about 10 years ago we had an addition built onto our house (2nd story). About halfway through the construction, I realized that we'd have a littel bit of the equity loan "left over" so I drew up some plans to get a small front porch (much like yours) added to the house. Took the plans to the city. Got them approved and everything (Hey!!! Look at those 3 1/3 years of architectural engineer school finally paying off!). Then I got cold feet as the design was hasty and I just didn't feel it was EXACTLY what I wanted. Didn't go through with the build and now I regret it every damned day :(
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,244
5,775
136
What's under the plywood that you put the sleepers on?
Are the sleepers doug fir as they appear to be?

Finished deck looks great, nice job.
 
RearAdmiral

RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,276
128
106
Homerboy said:
VERY NICE!

I'm so angry with myself -- about 10 years ago we had an addition built onto our house (2nd story). About halfway through the construction, I realized that we'd have a littel bit of the equity loan "left over" so I drew up some plans to get a small front porch (much like yours) added to the house. Took the plans to the city. Got them approved and everything (Hey!!! Look at those 3 1/3 years of architectural engineer school finally paying off!). Then I got cold feet as the design was hasty and I just didn't feel it was EXACTLY what I wanted. Didn't go through with the build and now I regret it every damned day :(
Click to expand...

Aww bummer. Is it not possible to do that now?

shortylickens said:
You got mad skillz.

Well, more than I do anyways.
Click to expand...

Haha I do not have skillz yet, this was just a heck of a lot of labor! So many annoying cuts and measuring.

Greenman said:
What's under the plywood that you put the sleepers on?
Are the sleepers doug fir as they appear to be?

Finished deck looks great, nice job.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure, there are nails in the plywood so I imagine just some joists. The sleepers are just whatever 2x6s Lowes had, I imagine junk pine.

Thanks though! Not perfect but its fine and makes the house a lot more presentable.
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,244
5,775
136
RearAdmiral said:
Aww bummer. Is it not possible to do that now?



Haha I do not have skillz yet, this was just a heck of a lot of labor! So many annoying cuts and measuring.



I'm not sure, there are nails in the plywood so I imagine just some joists. The sleepers are just whatever 2x6s Lowes had, I imagine junk pine.

Thanks though! Not perfect but its fine and makes the house a lot more presentable.
Click to expand...

A tip for future projects: Always know what you're building on. Doubly so when what your building is exposed to the weather. Also, always use pressure treated lumber for deck framing or anything in direct contact with concrete.
You did a very nice job and ended up with a professional looking project, you should be proud of that, but not knowing what's under that plywood could bite you on the ass a few years down the road.
 
RearAdmiral

RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,276
128
106
Greenman said:
A tip for future projects: Always know what you're building on. Doubly so when what your building is exposed to the weather. Also, always use pressure treated lumber for deck framing or anything in direct contact with concrete.
You did a very nice job and ended up with a professional looking project, you should be proud of that, but not knowing what's under that plywood could bite you on the ass a few years down the road.
Click to expand...

Well I used all PT lumber. So perhaps I should have pulled up the plywood to take a look at what is underneath? I'm not sure how I could have even done this effectively. I understand your point about what is underneath the plywood but it seems to have held up with just the old outdoor carpet on it for the past 20 years. I think I remember seeing a picture from the tax records from the 1990s and it still looked the same as when I bought it heh.

Anything I should be on the lookout for?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom