Front "porch" building

manbitesfilm · 08-22-2012, 11:27 PM

Howdy knowledgable folks,

I have a quick question on options for building a front entrance stairs to our house. It's not a proper "porch" since the front of the house is an enclosed veranda with cedar shingle siding below the windows, but we still want some elements of a classic porch entrance: 6" newels, railings and risers in white, the steps likely in dark gray. It will be 4-5 steps, so fairly high, and a 3' platform in front of the door.

Anywho, my question is with respect to the choice of wood. As I understand, the standard choice should boil down to pressure treated lumber or cedar (western red let's say...)? Price would not be a major factor between the two, because of the small size of the entrance. I imagine cedar would be better in the long run, but is there a major difference in durability? Are there other (obvious) options I should explore?

Also, with respect to the "white", I presume that a good opaque stain should suffice for either cedar or PT lumber? Anyone have experience with stuff like Benjamin Moore's Arborcoat? Any other recommendations for good quality white opaque stain.

I know this seems like a basic thing, but I just want to get my bearings straight here... We sank a lot of time, effort and money into this house and I really don't want to screw up the entrance... Finishing touch, but an important one. Thanks in advance!

Tom

joecaption · 08-22-2012, 11:32 PM

Bet you'll get some better suggestion on what will look nice of you would post a picture of the area where it's going.

GBrackins · 08-22-2012, 11:35 PM

you know it joe ....

they don't have to be big 8 x 10 glossies ..... but a few snaps of the camera may lead to some intelligent replies

manbitesfilm · 08-23-2012, 12:04 AM

Right... I always forget that part... :P Geographically, we're in Montreal, Quebec. As far as the pic goes, what I'm really looking for is advice on materials/stains. What is a typical choice of wood for building an exposed porch that will be colored opaque? PT Lumber, Cedar? Does it matter? I'm under the impression that cedar has great anti-decaying/rotting properties and I would prefer it to PT lumber. But is there an alternative? Can you use regular pine as long as it's painted?

08-22-2012, 11:27 PM	#1
manbitesfilm Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 19	Front "porch" building Howdy knowledgable folks, I have a quick question on options for building a front entrance stairs to our house. It's not a proper "porch" since the front of the house is an enclosed veranda with cedar shingle siding below the windows, but we still want some elements of a classic porch entrance: 6" newels, railings and risers in white, the steps likely in dark gray. It will be 4-5 steps, so fairly high, and a 3' platform in front of the door. Anywho, my question is with respect to the choice of wood. As I understand, the standard choice should boil down to pressure treated lumber or cedar (western red let's say...)? Price would not be a major factor between the two, because of the small size of the entrance. I imagine cedar would be better in the long run, but is there a major difference in durability? Are there other (obvious) options I should explore? Also, with respect to the "white", I presume that a good opaque stain should suffice for either cedar or PT lumber? Anyone have experience with stuff like Benjamin Moore's Arborcoat? Any other recommendations for good quality white opaque stain. I know this seems like a basic thing, but I just want to get my bearings straight here... We sank a lot of time, effort and money into this house and I really don't want to screw up the entrance... Finishing touch, but an important one. Thanks in advance! Tom

08-22-2012, 11:32 PM	#2
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,840	Front "porch" building Bet you'll get some better suggestion on what will look nice of you would post a picture of the area where it's going.

08-22-2012, 11:35 PM	#3
GBrackins Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Fairhaven, Massachusetts Posts: 2,359	Front "porch" building you know it joe .... they don't have to be big 8 x 10 glossies ..... but a few snaps of the camera may lead to some intelligent replies __________________ Gary "You get what you pay for, and sometimes free costs more!"

08-23-2012, 12:04 AM	#4
manbitesfilm Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 19	Front "porch" building Right... I always forget that part... :P Geographically, we're in Montreal, Quebec. As far as the pic goes, what I'm really looking for is advice on materials/stains. What is a typical choice of wood for building an exposed porch that will be colored opaque? PT Lumber, Cedar? Does it matter? I'm under the impression that cedar has great anti-decaying/rotting properties and I would prefer it to PT lumber. But is there an alternative? Can you use regular pine as long as it's painted? Last edited by manbitesfilm; 08-29-2012 at 01:06 AM.

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Front "porch" building