Paul O'Brien Services

Cedar Side Porch

The old porch was frost heaving causing interior damage to the room above

The challege was to support the second story living space while replacing the porch and it's supports

This is the original porch All of the decking was Composite which added to the weight with the heaving issues Moisture was held in by the skirting which added to the wood rot The posts were grounded in a large concrete pad which moved up and down with the seasons

These show some of the rot caused by moisture Ants had gotten into the posts and sub-structure and did considerable damage

The second floor was supported with 6x6's as well as multiple jacks under the original framing to bring the house back to level. Once the supporting posts were in place the jacks were removed, the concrete pad cut back, the old concrete piers removed, and new holes dug for the new piers

This show the new framing of the sub-structure with new 6x6 posts extending from the upper porch line all the way to the ground. The ground was sloped with earth and gravel added underneath

Here we have some examples of the framing, the 2x8 joists were cut into the posts and bolted together The ledger board was not nailed to the house but hung off off aluminum Deck Brackets so water would not be trapped against the house

The old front door was removed and replaced with a new wood door and sidelight Hackmatack decking has been added and the front steps built

The porch has been completed. All posts were wrapped in pre-primed finish boards Railings were made entirely from White Cedar The original screen door was fitted into place

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