I plan on having a large wrap around porch added to my house and I am looking for suggestions on materials to use for the construction of this porch.
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I am located in the Northeast, (45 min. outside of <!—-><!—-> <!—->Boston<!—-> <!—->). The front of my house is roughly 30 ft and the side is roughly 35 ft. I plan on putting a roof across the front and wrapping it around the corner, then ending the roof and narrowing the porch down from 10 ft wide to 6 ft. wide with a pergola above the section without a roof. The porch will meet up with a large deck at the back of my house. At my Front door I would like to add a vestibule, (small air trap), that will encase the front door and serve as the entry way (not heated). I have attached some concept drawings of my vision for this project as well as a photo of my house.
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I grew up in the Northeast, and have liked the older houses with tongue and groove porch flooring and small vestibules with the storm windows/screens which can be replaced for the seasons. I had envisioned using tongue and groove mahogany in the areas that were covered by a roof, but have been given some feedback against this based on the fact that wind blown rain/snow can get on this area and cause premature rot and cupping. I now believe I will use standard mahogany decking, (which will match what I have on the back deck), but inside the vestibule I will use the tongue and groove mahogany. Should I consider anything else?
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I have been looking for some single paned storm windows and screens that I could use for the vestibule, but haven’t been able to find what I am looking for. I would love to here some suggestions of what I could use for the door and windows in the vestibule. Double paned windows would seem to be a waste for this area?
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Lastly my house has lap siding, with composite shingles for the roofing material. I envisioned a standing seem metal roof, but I am not sure it would blend in and fit with the style of house I have. Would the standing seem metal roof be too dressy for the house, or would it add some character.
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I am open to any ideas or suggestions people may have about this whole project (not just my questions). Based on the high level of experience from the members of this forum, all feedback will be greatly appreciated.
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Thanks,
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Paul
Replies
Paul,
I remember my grandparent's long wooden floor front porch. Now they didn't have the pressure treated wood back then, but the floor of the older home had gaps and low places.
I'm building a cabin/shed that will have an 8' X 32' porch. As I was planning the size and costs, I came up with this observation.
Being out in the country, lots of things get under porches: snakes, skunks, spiders, etc. Plus, If I bought all the materials including 4X6 Pressure treated joists and Pressure treated decking, the concrete and rebar for the piers, Simpsons galv. hangers, and the heavy galv. bolts and nails, plus my "free labor", the cost was high. When I compared the total to that of rebar and concrete, the Concrete was only $250 higher....and the concrete boys did all the work.
I went with concrete. As the slab and porch were poured at the same time, I've gotten to see how well the slanted concrete porch floor drains the heavy rains we've had down here in Texas. I'm glad I went with it.
Bill
Edited 7/13/2007 9:59 pm ET by BilljustBill
I have T&G Mahogany porches in upstate NY. Plan on maintenance every other year, like light sanding and refinishing. Make sure you seal all 6 sides of the flooring before putting it down. Vent under the porches.
They look like a million bucks but they are high maintenance. Rain and sun are the enemies.
The older I get, the less maintenance I want. With my rear deck, it only takes a few hours a year to throw a coat of Penofin on it and it continues to look great. Do to the size of the porch, I want to minimize the amount of maintenance required. If I go with the mahogany decking, I should be able to coat it with the Penofin in less than a full day. I am trying to balance the feel of natural materials with the longevity of the synthetic materials.
Concrete would definetely be less maintenance, but I don't think it offers the same warmth as the wood. Adding stain to the concrete would definetely soften it up quite a bit, so I will need to look into this a little more.
Thanks for the feedback.
Paul