Last Updated: 19-AUG-2019
Just like everything else around here I want to do the job only once. The front porch on the house was put on in the fall of 1990 and the railings went on in the spring of 1992. After 23+ years it was having some serious issues. I had replaced the wood decking from time to time but it was becoming way beyond targeted repair.
First, most of it is on the north side so it really never dries out and the two large non-native Norway maple trees (will be cut down in the spring of 2016) did not help in the air movement in this area. (We planted 5 new red maples (native) twice the distance from the house so the loss of these two trees won't be such a change.)
We did a good bit of research and went with Azek flooring and Wolf Railing systems.
The contractor we used for the porch we have used on a number of past projects is Shultz Construction LLC. He comes highly recommended by us.
This is the last exterior project on the house. Only 2 big projects remain. Pave the driveway (done in 1992) and a new kitchen.
Click on photo to make it larger
2015-03-29 -- The before photos
We removed the side steps when we did the siding as they were too narrow and had issues.
Not safe in this area.
2015-04-02 -- Did not take long to remove the rotten decking. The support structure as well as spacing was in good condition as the 1990 treated lumber was made back in the day using all the nasty long lasting chemicals. This wood will last forever. Also the spacing is good for Azek composite decking.
Front steps gone. The pavers will be replaced in the summer of 2016
Decking photos.
Beefing up the gazebo.
2015-04-05 -- Installed scaffolding to support the gazebo roof.
It did not have adequate supports so two more 4x4's were added to increase the strength. Not easy to dig under a porch down 4 feet.
Various views - Tim does it right !
2015-04-07 -- Project continues - Holes for front steps.
Posts in on gazebo.
Now I can remove that ugly cross support under the gazebo.
2016-04-16 -- Side steps are going in. And most decking is installed, looks great ! Also had to replace two supports as they did not go down far enough. And we moved the posts so it would not interfere with the view out of the side window.
2015-04-19 -- Steps & Railings
Front steps being built.
Railing system going in.
Side / back steps taking shape.
Orange checking out the progress.
2015-04-25 -- All done and looks great! The railing allows us to have a better view thru it. Everything is very low maintenance.
Walk will be widened and replaced in 2016.
New chairs ordered and coming soon.
They did a good job of threading the decking on the corner.
Steps look great.
Various views. Will increase the amount of dirt under the porch and plant shrubs with a possible wall in 2016, 2017. I never liked how it looks so high in the front and a short wall will fix that issue.
Front looks good.
2015-05-08 -- Picked up two composite chairs and a table at the Amish store in Hanover. They were expensive but well-made and very comfortable.
