Porch floor before/ after

last year

last modified: last year

The first time the Black Locust was installed it wasn’t dry enough. Seller mislead us and my GC felt responsible also for not double checking . No warranty from seller… that’s another story. My GC removed all and took it to be re-milled which required him to find more wood . He did and it was better than the first, as well as the newly re- milled wood being better looking. All was allowed to dry further in a protected barn and then reinstalled. Due to so many delays and my GC being extremely popular instead of April it was September!

I researched sealing it which the original seller was against. The Milk Paint Co. sells a special outdoor real tung oil with pine oil and zinc . I am glad it was a big delay as the weather has been perfect.

Before:

After 6 coats :

I am so pleased. I used my Swiffer with a rag attached and applied thin coats and let them dry inbetween. It is very easy to use. It is curing now for 2 weeks and then we can walk on it. Fully cured 30 days. The ODO- outdoor defense oil, cleans up with soap and water so a big plus.

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lizzie_grow

last year

Thank you Trail...

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Comments (38)

Funkyart
last year
Looks lovely.. well done!
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porkandham
last year
Beautiful!
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Are you OK with the complete voiding of any/all warranties because the contractor isn't up to par? I can guarantee this person is NOT a wood 'pro'. They sound like some dude who swings a hammer. As G & S stated, the MOISTURE readings of the substrate AND the wood flooring are what tell you it is 'allowed'. Go ahead and send this 'dude' an email stating you want all the moisture readings (MC content) documented by the contractor and sent to you via email. You want the readings sent to you at time of deliver (both subfloor and wood planks...10% of the planks will be tested randomly as well as multiple spots on the floor as well). You also expect MC ratings of the wood at time of installation (which should be a different day). You also want readings at time of 'finishing'. You will also expect a completed document that gives the day's weather and humidity readings both inside and out. I can guarantee you the 'dude' isn't going to know what any of this means...which is why you want it. If s/he balks at this, then tell them installation will occur when the documentation is done...not before. And then be prepared to hire another wood flooring installer...cause this one is probably going to 'walk'.
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Jilly
last year
That looks gorgeous!
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Allison0704
last year
Beautiful! Glad your GC did the right thing.
User thanked Allison0704
Arapaho-Rd
last year
Spectacular !!!
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
So pretty!
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DLM2000-GW
last year
Black locust is a very hard wood, isn't it? I have that in the back of my brain from my dad who was a woodworker. Beautiful floor!
User thanked DLM2000-GW
User
Original Author
last year
@Allison0704 he and his crew are wonderful! We have been so lucky both here and in Alabama with our GC’s and almost all the subs as well. The original supplier is a horrible person and extremely dishonest. My reviews of him on Google have 50,000 veiws.

@DLM2000-GW yes it is !!!
nekotish
last year
That looks amazing - such a nice warm colour.
User thanked nekotish
czarinalex
last year
That is one gorgeous porch floor!
User thanked czarinalex
OutsidePlaying
last year
An absolutely beautiful porch floor. So unique and worth the wait.
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maddielee
last year
So much work, but worth every step. Its beautiful,
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rubyclaire
last year
Really beautiful Trail!
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User
Original Author
last year
Thank you !! The steps are also black locust but cut in wider boards so they don't look like the t&g porch. I let them go grey and they didn't have the same problems the porch had. I was going to try and sand them but it's not going to look right and when you walk toward the house the grey matches the house and you can't see the porch floor till you get up the steps. I also had the risers painted to match the house. I like the contrast and sense of surprise when everyone comes up to see !!!
blfenton
last year
And where is that picture? :) The porch looks beautiful. I'm glad everything worked out in the end.
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User
Original Author
last year
@blfenton here you go! Will get a closer one when I get a chance 😊
blfenton
last year
Thanks! And the lattice work ties the stairs and house together as well. It all looks so inviting. Nicely done.
User thanked blfenton
lisaam
last year
Your porch, garden garden, home all look lovely. You’re a hard worker with good vision and it shows!
User thanked lisaam
dedtired
last year
What a charming house. Nice porch floor. I cant believe you did that yourself. Only downside is not being able to sit out there for a couple weeks, but worth it.
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Tina Marie
last year
Looks great! I think the gray steps work great! Love the painted lattice too. : )
User
Original Author
last year
@dedtired the application process of the ODO is super easy. Don't give me much credit !! If you can pour out a stream of the liquid and smooth a rag mop over it in strips then you can do it. That's all that is involved. They made the product so easy unlike other floor finishes. There is no wrong way you can do it unless you pour on too much and leave it to dry in a puddle. Then you would have to use a small amount of mineral spirits and it would come right up. I was very careful to go easy and do more coats.

We sit way more on the screen porch at the back. Unlike our amazing porch in AL that we spent almost every hour on . All the wicker is on the screened porch at the back so I only sit in the swing when the grands are here and sometimes DH and I sit and swing. This town isn't a front porch sittin' town unlike Opelika AL which was the quintessential porch sittin' town !!

@blfenton the columns and crown are all original to the house from 1910 . My GC's helper restored the columns using Bondo . The crown was in perfect shape when the old aluminum siding was removed. The wood on the front porch walls was also perfect. All the wood trim around the windows was perfect as well just needed the ears at the sill base added back again...thanks to Bondo it was easy and the top trim piece was added back. We could see the outline on the wood siding, which is poplar, when the aluminum was removed. The bricks and lattice are all new as are the complete set of steps and the porch floor and under support.

Y'all are all very kind . Thank you . c
l pinkmountain
last year
Wowza that is so nice!
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User
Original Author
last year
This is how the porch looked when the aluminum siding was removed. You can see the crown mold and balusters and the windows without the added trim .

Work started
Annie Deighnaugh
last year
Wonderful!
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Kswl
last year
Beautiful renovation/ restoration!
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blfenton
last year
Gosh. You guys have done such a beautiful job of giving more life to a charming house. And poplar wood - is that common for the age of house.
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User
Original Author
last year
@blfenton yes in this area of Virginia. I misspoke it wasn’t aluminum siding it was vinyl likely from the 50 ’s . It really protected and helped preserve the wood. Our contractor was impressed and we were grateful that it was sided before the wood had deteriorated. They just pressure washed and orbital sanded and painted. Very little wood had to be replaced. All the soffits are original beaded board .

East side of house. We added the bump out kitchen window

west side. everyone loved the blue toy!! made work go so much quicker
cat_mom
last year
Love it!
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amykath
last year
Your floor looks stunning! Your yard and house are to die for!! Beautiful!!
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User
last year
This is so beautiful! What a charming home!
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jojoco
last year
You have done an amazing job preserving and restoring your beautiful home. This will probably sound wierd, but your house gives off such a positive and centered vibe. You didn't try to make it into something it wasn't and your house seems at peace with its surroundings.
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User
Original Author
last year
@jojoco not weird at all , thank you for the thoughtful kind response.

thank you all … this is such a great family. c
jill302
last year
Your porch is beautiful.
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texanjana
last year
Your porch looks incredible, Trail!
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teeda
last year
Wow, don't think I've seen a more beautiful porch floor. Everything about your house is lovely!
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lizzie_grow
last year
Porch is beautiful, Trail, as is your entire home's exterior. Can you share the dark siding color?
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User
Original Author
last year
Thank you @lizzie_grow . It is Kendall Charcoal BM. I searched quite awhile for the right shade of grey. It is the only one that they said had no other tones in it of blue or green or brown. I used Simply White BM for the trim inside and out because it has a really crisp white high reflective value and matches the replacement windows white metal frame . I get a lot of compliments. This town has quite few grey and white older homes but ours really stands out for the crisp color and wide trims.