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Enclosing Porch

874K views 123 replies 17 participants last post by  joetab24 
#1 · (Edited)
I've mentioned in some previous threads a desire to do more with a pergola built by the previous owner of my home. It appears my best course of action is to tear the structure down.

How about enclosing my covered front porch? Here are some pics:







Some neighbors have enclosed their porches with screens. Others have fully enclosed this space and have it heated.

Here is what I'd like to do:



I've never done a job like this, but I think it is doable. What would be my first step? Framing, I assume. Would I use 2 X 4s? Any help is appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to look!
 
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#83 · (Edited)
7/5

-worked on scribing the post profile for the the interior left side, top. (got a template for it)


-worked on scribing the post profile for the the exterior left side, top. (got a template for it)

-tomorrow i plan on buying some AZEK trim and getting most, if not all, of the inside molding in.
 
#86 ·
was thinking about how much I spent on this project. I actually stopped keeping track of the $ spent on this project half way through. Probably around $2500-$3500 if I had to pull a # out of the air. I did get some tools along the way, including a table saw, and I learned a lot of valuable lessons/skills. I also gained a lot of confidence and humility along the way.

Not sure what a pro would have charged; I do know he would have had it done a lot (a lot!) faster. Regardless, if I would have paid someone to do it, I am pretty sure I wouldn't drive around the block three times to see how seamless a corner looks. Or be able to talk for 30 minutes about that one section of molding on the inside corner, not that anyone but me enjoys that story!
 
#89 · (Edited)
haven't nailed anything yet, but seems like a good fit, with a bit of caulk.
after spending a lot of time on a template and not being satisfied with my work, I decided to draw the lines right on the piece and cut.came out better for me. I need a more rigid material, next time, to make a template.

are the spaces too big?





I'm noticing the gap widens as I move down the board.

so, I am pretty sure, areas that are touching need to be cut back slightly to close the gaps. i have done this for corner gaps, but with such a large piece I am not sure of the best approach. do I start at the top and work my way down,looking for the first piece that is touching and then cut it back a bit?

once I do that will i immediately know if I made some progress? or do i have to shave a bit of every piece that is touching before I will know how much progress I've made? each of the pieces that jut out seem to be touching.
 
#90 · (Edited)
I'm noticing the gap widens as I move down the board.

so, I am pretty sure, areas that are touching need to be cut back slightly to close the gaps. i have done this for corner gaps, but with such a large piece I am not sure of the best approach. do I start at the top and work my way down,looking for the first piece that is touching and then cut it back a bit?

once I do that will i immediately know if I made some progress? or do i have to shave a bit of every piece that is touching before I will know how much progress I've made? each of the pieces that jut out seem to be touching.
 
#91 ·
I know you want it to be perfect. From what I see in the photo's your close enough, now set it and caulk it. You will be the only one who knows. After time you'll even forget that you had just a bit of a gap on that difficult piece. Great job. dorf dude...
 
#93 · (Edited)
so the last section that I will need too scribe is this: (disregard the scraps between the wood and stone. i wedged a few pieces of scrap in to quickly see how thick the gap was)

note: the neighbor put up blinds, pulled them down, never to raise them again. apparently not wanting anything to do with me and my family. we've actually cleaned the exterior up pretty nicely, I like to think (see pics below). But I have been working on this project for a while. I guess he got sick of it.






i am thinking the accuscribe might not be the best tool for this. it rides kind of choppy along the stone surface.




not sure there are any, but any tips for scribing a surface like this?

as always, I appreciate your help/support on this project...nearing the end (finally!)

 
#96 · (Edited)
back from a vacation.

nearing the end of the exterior....




the horiz. piece on the right is off a bit. when I add the white molding the error is hidden. the piece against the siding will be easy since I got the siding profile almost 100% on the interior.

a mistake I made near the end of my work was bigger. I cut the right vert. piece almost a half inch short:furious:

I can prob find another use for this piece....

a nice week in Wildwood NJ, but check out this storm cloud:eek:

 
#99 · (Edited)
had someone on another board offer some constructive criticism. with this project,I am used to it and usually benefit from it.

where he went I was a bit caught off guard by:



he pointed out that the wall is not symmetrical, and he is correct due to the fact that on the left side the white post is on my neigbor's side. I live in a twin. On the right side, I turn in at the post.

An eyesore? Worth making symmetrical? Just curious....

Also,



he pointed out that the mismatch in color with the other stones, which are almost flush with the ground. I recycled them. They had originally been used for by a prev owner for the wall.



proud of myself for not just tossing them. Using two different color stones, an eyesore? Worth redoing...

I know I need to do more with the garden bed in front of the wall, but I am waiting until I am done trampling on it with the porch project.

Thanks for taking a look :thumbsup:
 
#103 · (Edited)
well, I've spotted what my wife is noticing.
the openings to the left of the door are about 1/2" smaller (less wide) than on the right side. Don't think I can do anything about it, except notice it every damn time!!

Well, I am learning. Be anal in the beginning and you can be less so later in the project.

reasons to leave it alone
-not street view side, although still visible
-my wife may lock me out if she sees me taking down a section that was supposedly finished

 
#104 ·
down the homestretch. lately, i am more productive than my wallet can handle.
want to get this done, though.

did some work on the inside


also, purchased 2" stainless steel screws to start fastening everything secure to the frame. i will be painting the AZEK when finished.


can you find the football in the photo... :)
 
#106 ·
I scrolled back through to the beginning. I barely remembered saying that it was a shame to close in that porch. I have to admit I was skeptical that such an enclosure could do anything but detract from the architecture of an older home but that does look nice. You're current enclosure looks at least ten times better than your original attempt. The screen will keep insects off your front porch and it looks like it may even give you a little privacy from nosey neighbors. Nice job! Time to finish up and start enjoying.
 
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