skip to main content

Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

how to attach walls to tapered column in porch enclosure

last year

I would like to enclose a porch that has tapered columns. How you work around the columns for the walls or windows?

Featured Answer

PRO

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

last year

I assumed that this is the back of the house. There is a dining table and chairs, as well as a small seating area. And depending on the area where it is located, screens provide protection against lots of annoying insects, especially when you are eating.

Comments (8)

Lyn Nielson
last year
Scribe.

is it a porch enclosure or heated/AC living space?
palimpsest
last year
last modified: last year
You can either fit the walls to the tapers or redo the covering on the posts, so they are not tapered. Or you could essentially bury the posts in the new structure. There are many ways to design it. If you do a glassed in sunroom type thing, I would try to keep the tapered columns.
Related Discussions
How to install the shower panel, column, or Tower
Q
Comments (1)
spam
...See More
How Should Colums and Railings be Attached to Brick Stoop
Q
Comments (5)
Not a good idea attaching structural posts supporting roof to brick, You dealing with uplift loads and lateral loads and depends on where your columns will be landing on your porch and in what area you must drill the holes. Keep in mind most bricks are usually hollow on landings and steps, the only solid brick used is the last brick to have finished sides, so drilling into a hollow brick will not get you far... Seen too many brick failures even with a simple railing being attached to it. Most railing installers will use core drill bits and set the railing into a thread and fill the cavity with quick set cement instead of screwing into the brick. Keep in mind most bricks are usually hollow on landings and steps, they only place solid brick being used is on the ends to have finished side and one brick is not much of a surface to attach anything and drilling into a hollow brick will not get you far... Seen too many brick failures even with a simple railing being attached to it. Most railing installers will use core drill bits and set the railing to pass the thread and into a riser and fill the cavity with quick-set cement instead of screwing into the brick face. Good luck
...See More
Afraid of mistake on attaching porch
Q
Comments (16)
OB2B, the house has a "garage" but we finished the interior, inc. wiring, drywall, over five years of weekends and the garage was storage, then was too small for our vehicles. Our second priority over the next couple years became building the barn, pasture fencing, and a hay shed so we could move here full time. We parked outside but the horses were all set! When our adult daughter visits, she uses a blow up mattress in the office, and we love the interior spaces as is. Our living room is basically a sunroom in the summer. Several years ago, we met with an architect, drew detached garages with walkways, attached garages with living space above. We priced them and mulled priorities and here we are. We get a lot of snow, you're right, the porch roof will have to accomodate the snow slide off the gable roof above it. I gather it would be much harder to tear part of the existing roof off to extend it, as cp thought about, than to slide a new roof right under it. Plus, our main roof is corregated asphalt and DH wants metal over the porch. It will be more like the left porch but picture the porch roof attaching to the house right under the gable overhang, not an extension. I gather. Our first thoughts were indeed something like on the right. What do you think about the setback idea to clear the l.r. windows?
...See More
Porch column problem?
Q
Comments (23)
I believe that your columns may be too big, as your beams appears to be fairly wide. It's normal to hang over, but should overhang as evenly as possible. It really depends on where the column bases sit on the porch floor. The column bases should not hang over the porch floor. Our builder recently padded out our porch ceiling beams to accommodate the 9" square columns/15" caps going up. Columns are not yet installed. Love the idea of bubble wrap stuffed into the tops. We have used screening and boards. May try the bubble wrap on the new house. These are photos of our previous home where we used larger round columns. See how they are hanging over evenly. And see where the corner post also hangs over on all sides. Front Disregard the yellow arrow. That was for something else. And I just realized that this is an old thread, but perhaps these photos will help someone else. 😀
...See More
nickel_kg
last year
last modified: last year
The columns are pretty; I'd try to keep them visible. Here's our front porch, you can see how the walls are inset a bit so you see the column and the taper both inside and out.
PRO
JAN MOYER
last year
last modified: last year
You get an architect. Is this the front or back of the house? I see dirt. It's new construction? It matters not how you'd do it. It isn't a DIY project. At all.

What will the purpose be? What is the climate? How much window? All sides ?

Your question needs an architect at the site
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
I agree with Jan that this is not a DIY project. However, you may or may not need an architect. There are companies who specialize in adding screened porches to existing open-air porches (if that is your goal). Here's a link to one such project:

https://www.jagconstructioncorp.com/projects/new-screen-porch-for-cornelius-nc-resident/
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I would not enclose that porch IMO it will not suit the house . If you need an enclosed porch add it to the back
Sharon Ground
Original Author
last year
Thank you all for your response....after new construction we realized we have so much wind that the back porch is not useable and we are trying to figure out a way to fix it. The only thing we could come up with was to enclose it with windows.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Renovation Detail: The Tapered Craftsman Column

By Rachel Grace

Squared, simple and perfectly proportioned, tapered columns add Craftsman-style beauty to porches, porticoes and interiors

REMODELING GUIDES Renovation Detail: The Knee Wall Railing

By Rachel Grace

Small in stature but big on privacy, knee wall railings add a Craftsman-style element to porches and don't block the view

DESIGN DICTIONARY Elephant Leg Column

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Weigh this stout architectural element if you're going for a Craftsman-style exterior or interior

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Breezy and Bug-Free Modern Porches

Screening keeps pests out of these diverse porches across the U.S., while thoughtful designs keep them visually appealing

PORCHES Dream Spaces: Gracious, Spacious Front Porches

By Lisa Higgins

Maybe it’s the view. Maybe it’s the bed swing. Whatever their individual comforts, all of these porches encourage a leisurely stay

EXTERIORS 10 Essentials for a Welcoming Front Porch

By Laura Gaskill

A few well-chosen pieces can help make your porch comfortable for relaxing and greeting neighbors

TRADITIONAL STYLE Outfit a Southern Plantation-Style Home — Paint to Porch Furnishings

By Laura Gaskill

Go for the charm with these curated picks that create a Southern look in all its gracious glory

ARCHITECTURE Elements of the Classic Southern Porch

By Victoria Villeneuve

Sit a spell with a glass of sweet tea and see what makes these verandas as pretty as a Georgia peach

FEEL-GOOD HOME How to Create a Friendly Front Porch

Follow these 4 steps to make your porch a comfortable, welcoming space

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Small Patio Issues

4

Soffit and Deck Colour Advice

3

Sloped deck - top rail parallel to deck or level

5

Patio to deck combo - how to furnish etc.

8

Advice on sliding pocket patio doors - La Cantina or other

5