Name: North and South Porch Rebuild

Location: Milwaukee – Lower East Side

Problem: The front north porch and both south porches were in need of repairs or being rebuilt.

Solution Provided:

First we worked with an architect to create a design plan that honors the home’s historical elements. For this project’s rail system replicated the vintage railing made of cedar and installed a beveled bottom railing with notched balusters to ensure drainage on the bottom rail. We installed this rail system for both porches

Starting with the north porch we removed the entire porch, both the first and second floor. Then we poured the footing and framed it according to the architectural plans. On the second story we were able to re-use some of the original floor joints. With the framing stable the first step was to construct and install the porch flooring, made of cedar decking, and the stair treads, made of douglas fir. The porch ceiling was also constructed of douglas fir in beatboard. The flooring, porch ceiling, and stair treads were painted to match the home’s exterior paint and trim.

All of the porch railings and balusters were constructed in our shop in Shorewood. We cut to replicate the vintage railing made of cedar, and for the balusters are cut from cypress spaced 4 inches apart. For this project’s rail system we installed a beveled bottom railing with notched balusters to ensure drainage on the bottom rail. We also created the posts and newels for the deck constructed of clear cedar. We also constructed the decorative woodwork of accoya, and primed and painted all pieces to match the railings. Both the top and bottom rails and balusters were primed and painted prior to installation.

On the south porches we were able to keep most of it and install newel posts and a new rail system, as well as repair any rot on the stair treads. For both porches we began by removing the existing rails and installed new newel posts, matching the home’s exterior and north porch. Next the steps had areas of rot, so we replaced the stair treads with new ones constructed of douglas fir. Once installed we painted with floor enamel on the steps and porch floorings when we finished applying the exterior paint on the home.