Porch problem

13 years ago

Ok, I hope this works this time

I have an 1884 Victorian farmhouse and the front porch height was added to over the years. It is pitched the wrong way so I have to change it. I want to keep the 2 historic bluestone steps, but I was thinking about T & G Ipe with black painted Newel posts and rails. Any suggestions?

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The Color People

13 years ago

You have a canopy that looks good with the house. The house has a style and a history doing things like adding a pergola or some add on projection will only fly in the face of this and the house will suffer. It is called remuddling in the preservation world.
Back to the first comment- why not just pull up the porch deck and re-pour it or relay it ( I can't tell if it is stone or cement.) It will look authentic and natural. Trex is for decks and will look really cheezy on the front of an historic home. When you have an historic home you have some duty to honor its heritage. You will always find that the house looks best when what ever changes you make does this. It will also help keep up your resale value.

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Comments (12)

houssaon
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Another full shot of the front would be helpful.

I like your idea, but can't you just take off the top layer of the porch and lay a new one with the corrected pitch?

How about a pergola across the front? [houzz=
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and
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are some good examples.

Good luck!
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sstarr93
13 years ago
If you really want a porch, go ahead and build it. This is just a small projection.
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Lanitra Bynum
13 years ago
Yes, just build the projection on out and bring the railings on around, leave an opening lined with the door of course and no pergola style. When people come over and it's raining, they are going to get wet waiting on you to come to the door.
libradesigneye
13 years ago
I don't think ipe is going to be a good solution with this style of home - you might as well use colored trex and edge it with this stone if you are reworking it. The stone is the best solution so I would pull it out and relay it so it drains properly. If you are making something bigger, then match your siding color with some decking and edge it with the stone.
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Hufnagel Landscape Design & Construction Group
13 years ago
Agreed with The Color People... Trex is a bad idea in any scenario. Natural wood is the way to go...
The top is flagstone set in concrete. (Poorly done). My thinking is to rip off the top step, pour a slab to protect against water, then fabricate an Ipe T & G porch pitching it correctly on top and keeping the two stairs of historic bluestone, just resetting them
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FINNE Architects
13 years ago
I would go with bluestone steps and a bluestone porch (pitched properly). You might also consider improving the railing design at each end of the porch.
bmargaweiss
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
An elegant covered front porch that emphasizes the lovely French front doors might be nice, too.
Photo source: http://www.homerebuilders.com/
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Amy Wax
13 years ago
I completely agree with The Color People. I also professionally consult on exterior color schemes and building issues and I agree with their comment 100%. You have a great house.. keep it that way!
pivoines
13 years ago
We need a bigger picture including the whole house , the size of the house is very important to make a judgement on a roof angle, size etc...right now , with what I can see, I think that only changing the small roof to the same pitch as the house is all that is needed, everything else is gorgeous.please add more pics if you want accurate advice.
handymam
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
The only thing I would change is the railings. I am not sure how the pitch is "wrong" but I guess that is just me. I wouldn't have even known it was bad and left it. The stone is beautiful, please don't change it.
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
I'm thinking your roof just needs more substantial and more decorative side supports.
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