Hello everyone. Attached is a picture of a porch and rough plans for a portico I will be building. There is a cheesy elevation and framing drawing. The framing drawing is missing some key elements but it’s just something to get me started. In the photo, I’ve highlighted in red 6 places where I’ll be placing columns.
Two questions.
The first is regarding materials. I will have 4×4 posts, some dimension lumber for the beams and joists and then plywood for the deck. I initially assumed I needed PT lumber but now I’m wondering if this is necessary. No lumber will be exposed. I’ll have Tuscan columns covering the posts and they will be set on plates an inch above the stone. The roof deck will be covered with a rubber roof (probably EPDM). What are conventions with regard to materials for this type of construction?
The second question is regarding how to build the beams for the joists. This is a two tiered portico with the lower tier comprised of ‘beams’ that I planned on making by attaching dimensional lumber to the sides of the 4×4 posts with lag screws. This would make the width of the beam before trim to 6.5″. I could set 2 2x8s on top of the posts but then I’d need to pad out the sides to make the width more substantial. Does this make sense? I’ve framed several houses with my father-in-law but I’ve never built a portico. I know how it should look once all the trim is on but I could use some tips as how to best frame the supports.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jonathan
Replies
Here's a simplified picture from Wikipedia. If you're interested in making the portico entablature proportions classically "correct", I can scan a drawing that shows every tiny elevation detail, with the vertical heights relative to the column diameters. As an example from the Tuscan portico I just completed, with columns 20" diameter at the base, the entablature was 29-3/4" tall above the top of the column.
View Image
Of course, sometimes that doesn't really match modern application!
Looks like a fun project - I love porchs and fronts of houses!
Forrest
Thanks Forrest. Yes, I followed your project with great interest and I do intend to use classical proportions. I think I have that information tucked away but I'll let you know if I run into questions.
Thank you.