Name: Front Porch
Location: Milwaukee Area – Cambridge Woods
Problem: Front porch flooring and columns no longer had structural integrity.
Solution Provided: We started by supporting the upper porch for the duration of work and removed the lower porch to grade. We poured four new footings and framed the porch in pressure treated pine to previous dimensions with current codes. Next, we installed 5/4×4 tongue and groove fir porch flooring using a “blind-nailing” technique with approved ½” crown flooring staples. The fir was primed on the back side prior to installation and then painted with three coats of industrial floor enamel after installation. Slats were framed with “cover boards” which provided a picture-frame sort of design.
After, we installed new stair treads and risers. The porch also received four new columns and two new stairs newels. Rails were then milled with a beveled bottom rail with notched balusters to shed water as well as beveled top rail and two subrails to provide visual balance. All assembled rail sections were fully primed and painted with two coats of premium latex prior to leaving our shop.
Next, rails were fastened to columns and newels with hidden pocket-hole screws, after which the holes were plugged. To complete the project, we filled any remaining nail-holes and did a touch up coat of paint.
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