Tips for Porch Construction – Building a porch can be a difficult task, so if a homeowner does not have enough carpentry experience, this project may best be left up to the pros.

It is a good idea to get quotes from several contractors before choosing one to ensure the porch can be built properly and at a competitive price. If the homeowner decides to undertake the porch construction himself, it is vital that the structure be planned properly before the materials are first even purchased. You should also purchase or rent the necessary tools for porch construction ahead of time to prevent delays in the process.

Easy Tips for Porch Construction

 

Before beginning porch construction, it is a good idea to decide what type of porch will be built. This means determining what materials you will use, how large the space will be, and what additional features will be built. A porch roof, for example, is a great addition, but it will need to be supported by the porch structure properly. The building process of a wooden porch, for example, will be different from that of concrete porch construction. If you are going to use concrete footings, it will be necessary to determine where the footings will be placed for the best structural support.

Consider the budget for porch construction as well, as this may have an effect on the size, shape, and function of the space. It may be possible to build the porch in stages as well; this is especially useful if the homeowner has a specific type of porch in mind but only has the budget for a simple structure at first. The budget will also have an impact on what materials are most appropriate. Concrete is an inexpensive material for porch construction, while certain types of wood can be fairly expensive. Vinyl is also an option; this material is adequately durable and low maintenance, but it can be difficult to install properly.

The hardware used to secure boards together is also an important and often overlooked consideration during porch construction. It is important to choose hardware that is resistant to weather damage. Galvanized or stainless steel nuts, bolts, screws, and plates should be used since these are resistant to rust and corrosion. With wooden porches, it may be necessary to paint, stain, or otherwise weatherproof the boards to prevent premature rot and other damage. This can add to the initial cost of the porch, but it will end up saving the homeowner money in the long run.

Basic Tips for Porch Framing & Porch Roof Framing

• Porch floor framing is normally created from pressure-treated lumber and sits on concrete piers.
• The top and bottom beams of the porch are made of two pieces of pressure-treated lumber with some plywood in the middle to give them additional strength.
• The bottom beam sits on the concrete piers and spans the whole porch.
• Porch posts are fastened down to the bottom laminated beam. Their tops are fastened to the crafted beam above.
• Roof rafters can be just plain 2×6 and could get spaced 16 inches in the center.
• They are to be fastened onto a ledger board that is put on the front wall of the house.