A porch is both nostalgic and modern at the same time. You can spend many happy evenings on it, talking and enjoying a cuppa. Porches can be made to host swings and rocking chairs to add to the atmosphere of relaxation. If you are wanting to put up your own porch, here is how to do it.
Difficulty Level
Moderately challenging
Time required
1-2 hours
Resources required
- Stakes
- Measuring tape
- 2 x 10 ledger board
- Penny nails – 8
- Hammer
- Shovel
- Foundation forms – 12 inch x 2 foot
- Cement
- Bucket
- Post anchors
- Drill motor
- Drill bit
- 1/2 inch bolts – 12 nos
- 4-by-4-by-1 posts – 4 nos
- Anchor caps – 4 nos
- 4 x 8 x 6 headers – 2 nos
- 2 x 4 x 6 floor joists – 6 nos
- 2 x 6 x 6 decking boards – 12 nos
- 16 penny nails
- 3.5 inches deck screws
- Table saw
Estimated Cost
N/A
Instructions
- Place the four stakes in the corners of a 6 x 6 square where we will be installing the porch. Nail the 2 x 10 ledger board with the 16 penny nails at a distance of about 4 inches below the door.
- Dig holes which are 1 foot wide and 2 feet deep in all the four corners. Place the foundation forms into each of the holes. Mix the cement with water till it firms. Fill the forms with cement and insert the post anchors in place.
- Place the 4 x 4 posts into the post anchors. Drill 5/8 inches holes beforehand and secure with the 0.5 inch bolts.
- Fix the anchor cap on top of each post. Just like fixing the posts, pre-drill the 5/8 inches holes and secure with 0.5 inch bolts.
- Using the 0.5 inch bolts, insert the 4 x 8 x 6 header boards parallel to the house, into the anchor caps.
- Lay out the 2 x 4 x 6 floor joists across the header boards. Attach the joists at both ends using the 16 penny nails.
- Finally, place the 2 x 6 x 6 decking boards perpendicular to the attached floor joists. Use the 3.5 inches deck screws to secure them. Make use of a 16 penny nail in between the deck boards for a proper spacing. Your porch is installed and ready.
Frequently asked questions
1. How long must I allow the cement to dry?
Allow the cement to dry overnight. This is the minimum time required. Leaving it to dry for two days would be the best.
2. What should be the length of the posts that I use?
That will depend entirely on the height of the porch that you want to make. For instance, if you want a low porch, you could use 1 foot posts.
Quick tips
- While laying the joists, place them perpendicular to the house with one end resting on the ledger board that is joined to the house.
- Make use of square holes to prevent concrete movement.
Things to watch out for
- Be careful while using the table saw for cutting the boards.
- Many places require permits to attach a porch to existing structures. Go ahead with the construction only after due clearance.
