Front Porch Design Dilemma... Need Help!!

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Our house is almost around finishing. I recently noticed the beam at the front porch was left unattended. I contacted our builder he said he will pain it white to match the soffit and other exterior trim.

I was hoping to have all brick wrap at the front but the builder is saying he cannot do brick at beams as bricks require a foundation support (called a “brick ledge” ) . Unfortunately it isn’t possible!!

Any thoughts? Do you agree with my builder.

I am so confused right now and keep thinking how it will look with the paint.

PS: The house has bricks only at front

Another picture to show that beams are on 3 sides:

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PRO

Virgil Carter Fine Art

6 years ago

It looks fine the way it is. It's a common approach, since masonry is a "load-bearing" material, and cannot "float" in mid-air like a beam. I'd worry about other things; not this! Good luck on your project!

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Comments (14)

PRO
Deb Bayless - Design for Keeps
6 years ago
I agree . . . the current color of the beams looks nice and picks up on the tones of your brick and draws attention to your entry. That's a good thing. Painting them white would not be an error but would look a little too bright/harsh and very standard looking.
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Beetle
Original Author
6 years ago
Any color suggestion?

The bricks are yukon white in real
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
What do the construction documents call for?
PRO
Bear Creek Enterprises
6 years ago
Based on the photo you shared of the porch under construction, it looks like the beams were wrapped with fiber cement boards before the brick was finished. That is a common way to finish a beam. Brick could be installed with a steel lentil, but I can't say that I have seen that in a situation like this before. Generally the beam is painted the same color as the soffit, but you could do something different if you prefer. Mark is correct that you should check the construction documents to see if this was built according to the plans.
Naf_Naf
6 years ago
Are you sure he said that? Bricks need a ledge but the brick at the beam will need a steel lintel (an angle in this case, similar to what happens above the garage door. So... did he use a "ledge" above the garage door?
Beetle
Original Author
6 years ago
I checked plan I do not think plan says anything about these beams. neither does elevation diagram shows it :(
Naf_Naf
6 years ago
But, at this point, is better to let it go. Do not paint it white, paint is the color of the door.
Naf_Naf
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You got lucky that he did something better that what the drawings show
Beetle
Original Author
6 years ago
Front door will be walnut but we are keeping trims white
Naf_Naf
6 years ago
Ok walnut will be too much/dark there. White it is a better option
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
Ironically, the elevation drawing above doesn't show any exposed "beam" and isn't consistent with the photo of the actual construction.

It looks like the "as-built" is a better structural solution to stabilize the tops of the otherwise unsupported brick clad columns.

Don't worry about it. Paint the "beams" a light color harmonious with the masonry, and worry about other things...

Good luck with your project!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
"and worry about other things..."

Like the next victim of whoever drew those construction drawings.
emmarene9
6 years ago
I like walnut for the doors. House looks fine.