Porch posts

Boris052

Hello, I want to update my 4x4 front porch posts. I have researched a fypon retrofit system that does not require removing the current posts however my header is only 4 in wide and I do not know how to blend the tops in and have it look good with the new surround sticking out beyond the header? I was wondering if anyone had already encountered this and how/if you solved my dilemma? I plan on going to a 5x5 post look after the change.

Thanks in advance,

Boris052

Here are some pics of the posts, did not have them for the original post.

Attached Thumbnails

       

joecaption

Look at just about any older home with porch post, they all will stick out past the header.

woodworkbykirk

if you make the posts bigger youll have to build out the beam to keep the proportions working.. having a reveal on the beam from the post is fine.. but a reveal to the post from the beam very wrong...

Boris052

Is that structurally or visually speaking?

Thanks

joecaption

That a look at some of these pictures to see ways to trim it out if that what you feel you need to do.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ages&FORM=IGRE

woodworkbykirk

visual. structurally its fine.. looking up at a reveal is fine.. but if the beam is narrower than the posts it will look terrible

any time i frame a porch roof, the beam is typically 3 ply 2x8 or 2x10 which is 4.5" thick... the posts are 6x6 so they end up being 1 " wider.. so we add 1/2" ply to the side of the beam that is flush with the post and run 2x2's or an additional ply to the inside face to keep the 1/2" reveal. all our porch beams get clad in aluminum or azek. if the beam gets an azec treatment so do the posts

hand drive

I've installed monster posts and post bases that stuck out past the beam. some 2' post bases more than 8 inches stuck out in the air, it was what the homeowner wanted so... as long as it is sealed from the weather it's good though some birds seem to find them really easily. A single post with no detail looks real bad if sticking past the beam but add some detail to the part that sticks out and it does not look to bad.

Boris052

Thanks for all the info, some good stuff. My main hang up to widening the header is pulling the soffit and gutter down to do so. Maybe I will experiment with some ideas and see what I can come up with. Try tapering some sort of composite.