Suggestions for replacing front deck
imirsh2
15 days ago
last modified: 8 days ago
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HALLETT & Co.
15 days agoimirsh2
15 days agoRelated Discussions
Front porch decking replacement 1880's Victorian
Comments (11)This is an issue for me, too. We've finally (after 25 years here!!) got the front porch off in December. And we will NOT be replacing it. But I do intend to reuse the substantially intact columns, entablature, frieze, roof and deck framing etc. on a porch on the other side of the house - north side where there won't be any loss of light. Can't believe I suffered through 24 winters in the near darkness in my first floor due to that damn porch. Removing it made a tremendous, and completely positive change in my experience of my old house. I spent way to much time agonizing about altering an "old" element of the house. I was hoping that when we excavated we'd find it was a later addition. Alas, there it turned out to be no evidence to support that, and no evidence that the parts of the vertical wall framing that had been covered by the thickness of the porch roof had ever been covered by siding. So the porch must have been installed before it was first sided. By the time we could see this, however, we had already removed a good chunk of the roof decking and ceiling and it was nearly dark. The next morning I stumbled downstairs and I had sun streaming in through my front windows in my sitting room and dining room. It was around the winter solstice when, as you know sun is so precious. I couldn't get over it. When my DH asked for a decision about whether to continue, or not, I just said let's get it down. So there, I did it. I tore off and orginal, important element of my antique house - a half-height, but full-facade, Greek revival porch. And I am not the least bit sorry. But I did salvage everything and will allay any lingering guilt by re-erecting it on the back. What were they thinking when the blocked all that light since 1849? But the far edge of my decking is unsound, too. I have considered making the new porch narrower. I was hoping to find new replacement material, but it sounds as though I'll be out of luck. So my fall back plan is this: put the replaced (new material) section inboard, next to the house and install the salvaged floor boards turned around so the old, formerly protected parts will now be on the weather edge, and the seam between the two will be deep under the porch roof. That butt joint will be a place for development of problems in the long run (and with houses as old as ours, the long is run everything.) Therefore, the drier it stays, the better. I may also turn the salvaged boards upside down as 160 + years of use have worn out the grain a bit, but the undersides are still fresh. Also the old face nail holes would be less visible. I realize this will put the "seam" between the two surfaces in a somewhat more prominent place, but considering that I plan to paint it, and normally have a big door mat and an old settle against the wall of the house, I think it will be OK, and mostly hidden. What choice do we have, anyway? No way would I want to think I was using any freshly harvested old-growth Doug fir. Nor do I feel comfortable with any of the tropical hardwoods (primarily teaks), notwithstanding the "certification" system. I considered using one of the fake outdoor flooring materials (i.e. Trex). Can't go there for a flooring surface that I would want to walk on in barefeet. Though I do have a couple of pieces in very damp place in my spring house and I've been satisfied with them. L....See Moresuggestions please for material on front deck !
Comments (4)That stone should have gone all around the house and I think the posts done larger of course and the same color as the siding I think. That porch does not look very deep to me, what is the size ?I do not see the steps but IMO should be the same as the porch floor.I would paint the garage doors in a color that blends better with the stone or the siding since there is nothing special about them and because they are front of the house they need to recede. Some metal and glass railings with the metal as close to the siding color as possible ....See MoreAny suggestions on replacing front porch awning.
Comments (1)My porch is covered with this awning which appears to be sloping in and the paint is constantly peeling. What are some options to have this area redone/replaced/rebuilt? Thank you....See MoreAC Maintenance Guy suggest there is a leak and suggest replacement
Comments (11)I don't neccessarly agree nor disagree with above advice but I didn't see an answer to your question " How can I check up on his story? Should I just get his report? I have a general principle of how AC works, but I don't have the background. What should I be looking for?" There's no way for you to measure the level but you can do a couple of things that are actually better than knowing level. After unit has been in operation (cycling on and off as it is supposed to over 2 or more hours), touch large copper line between outdoor unit and building. It should at least as cold as the warmest drink you would drink without adding ice. Preferably it is as cold as a drink fresh out of fridge or with ice in it. If large line is exposed to air,it should be sweating or very near sweating on humid days. I wouldn't worry about freon if that's what I found. I said I wouldn't worry about "FREON",that doesn't mean everything else is as it should be "OR" that freon is definatly at full charge. It might very well need a touch of freon after one or more other issues have been addressed but for now freon is ok. Another thing you can do is use and accurate thermometer to record temp of air being drawn into indoor unit (basiclly room temperature) but reasons I won't get into, should be tested at intake grill. t Record temperature at any discharge grill and subtract that number from intake temperature. Any less than 17*F difference on a unit from the 90s and back will have to run continous on a hot day and might still not cool enough. 20*F is what i would expect so anything more would make me happy dance. As with first test,this doesn't mean performance can't be improved,it simply means freon isn't likly an issue for the moment. If you truly do have a basic understanding and are hungury to know more about" checking up on" a preventive maintenance service,we can talk about it. I hope that's a little closer to answering your question than advice to give up and buy a new one....See MoreJennz9b
15 days agoBoxerpal
15 days agoBeverlyFLADeziner
14 days ago
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