[mumb96]

I’ve got a small porch roof overhanging my front steps and the two pillars are rotting out. I pulled a bit apart with my fingers to find out they are hollow inside (I was expecting solid, or a metal pole, or something sturdy). The pillars are 1x8s. Could I just replace them with an actual 8x8? And then cut a 1x10 to make some decorative flairs at the bottom?

Would I use pressure treated wood? Is there anything else I should be worried about? This is a big project for me. I think I can do it but would like some hints as to what to watch out for.

Oh, and how do I anchor the pillars to the cement porch floor?

Thanks!

 

[jmon]

It may be too much for diyer. idk. depends on your skills, tools and experience.

If you do attempt it by yourself, make sure you support roof/overhang with good supporting 2x12's from solid ground before removing rotted pillars.

The pillars can be supported by 8x8 metal post brackets drilled and lag bolted using cement anchors into the concrete. Available at any big box store.

You can also google/watch a few videos showing step by step on how to do this project before attempting. Then decide if it's too much for you. Just a suggestion.

 

[Nealtw]

I’ve got a small porch roof overhanging my front steps and the two pillars are rotting out. I pulled a bit apart with my fingers to find out they are hollow inside (I was expecting solid, or a metal pole, or something sturdy). The pillars are 1x8s. Could I just replace them with an actual 8x8? And then cut a 1x10 to make some decorative flairs at the bottom?

Would I use pressure treated wood? Is there anything else I should be worried about? This is a big project for me. I think I can do it but would like some hints as to what to watch out for.

Oh, and how do I anchor the pillars to the cement porch floor?

Thanks!

We will need to see more of the top of the post, first trick is the measure the exact height of each and record that because you will ave to lift it a bit and having that measurement can be handy later.

Best is to build a post out 4 treated 2x6 and wrap that will something nice to look at. Real treated posts tend to warp and twist.
And you may need to add a post holder at the bottom.

 

[mumb96]

Here’s a picture of the top of the posts.

 

[Nealtw]

Here’s a picture of the top of the posts.

How big is the deck and what shape is the roof ? Take a picture of the roof from a distance.

 

[mumb96]

The cement porch is roughly 5'x9'.
The roof is roughly the same size, starting about 8' up.
The roof walls are roughly 22" high and 9" thick.
The top is 18" squares of some thin metal, possibly tin, that has a nice green look to it.

I was thinking:
4 x 4 x 91.5 (measured height of pillar) of pressure treated wood for the support.
Surrounded by 1x8s and 1x6s to make the decorative column (1x8 in front and back so we don't see a seam, 1x6 on the sides). But what type of wood would be best for those? Our local Menards carries maple/aspen/pine/cedar/poplar. We are in Ohio so we get all the seasons (sometimes in the same day).

All held together with some nice weatherproof finishing nails about 3" long.

I've seen places that talk about drilling holes to let dampness escape.
Or that use some type of wax to seal the ends of the boards.
Thoughts on those?

And thanks!!!

 

[roughneck]

You can get decorative pillars made from fiberglass. That’s what I did when mine rotted out. Never have to worry about replacing them again.
My porch is about the same size

 

[mumb96]

How do you size them for the correct height? Especially if they have a decorative end cap on the top and bottom?

And I assume you put a 4x4 or something in the middle for strength?

Thanks!

 

[Nealtw]

The cement porch is roughly 5'x9'.
The roof is roughly the same size, starting about 8' up.
The roof walls are roughly 22" high and 9" thick.
The top is 18" squares of some thin metal, possibly tin, that has a nice green look to it.

I was thinking:
4 x 4 x 91.5 (measured height of pillar) of pressure treated wood for the support.
Surrounded by 1x8s and 1x6s to make the decorative column (1x8 in front and back so we don't see a seam, 1x6 on the sides). But what type of wood would be best for those? Our local Menards carries maple/aspen/pine/cedar/poplar. We are in Ohio so we get all the seasons (sometimes in the same day).

All held together with some nice weatherproof finishing nails about 3" long.

I've seen places that talk about drilling holes to let dampness escape.
Or that use some type of wax to seal the ends of the boards.
Thoughts on those?

And thanks!!!

Solid posts, can not be trusted to stay straight, 4x4 are not accepted in code for house construction any more. I can only tell you what works best and you can still do what you want.



On top of these posts are beams that hold the roof up so we have to be care how we hold the roof up, the beams could be anywhere in that 22".
Can you run a tape measure up inside one to see how high the inside compares to the height on the outside.

 

[roughneck]

How do you size them for the correct height? Especially if they have a decorative end cap on the top and bottom?

And I assume you put a 4x4 or something in the middle for strength?

Thanks!

They came in standard heights. No post in the middle, they are hollow.
A contractor friend sourced them.

 

[mumb96]

Nevermind, YouTube to the rescue. (I don't think the fiberglass area going to work for me. Locally the price is just too high.)

 

[mumb96]

The inside measurement is 10".