I have an 1100 sq.ft bungalow with a 6′ roof overhang across the front half of the house. The overhang is supported by 4 4″x4″ posts. I’d like to trim the posts out to make them look “wider” and “not so skinny”. I’d use a 6″x6″ post, however the posts sit on pilings built for a 4″x4″ post.
I’m looking for suggestions on what to trim the posts out with. Is the most popular method just to add 1×4 and 1×6 lumber? Or rip a sheet of 1“ pressure-treated plywood into 4“ and 5.5“ strips? I`d like to paint the posts, probably black to match the soffits and fascia and the trim on the house. Any other tips or things I should consider or be aware of?
Thanks everyone
Replies
wax
I always make post wraps a bit bigger than the actual dim. of the post. Allows for shimming as well as potential for movement in the orig. post.
re:
do you cut pieces from finish quality plywood? or rip larger lumber down to size? i'm a diyer, so if the questions seem novice, that's why!
Wax
If painted, I might use MDO plywood. Already primed (with a sort of hard paper finish-used to be called sign board). Nice paint surface, quality ext. glue-good for this application.
Or
Might use cedar or cypress depending on finish wanted.
Or
Could use PVC like Azek, if extreme weathering characteristics are present.
Thanks
Looked at Azek, etc....don't want to spend that much $$. Appreciate the tips.
There are vinyl post wraps available. I included a link to one I found online. I don't even know the price, but there is a lot less material involved so I expect a much lower price.
http://www.pennfence.com/railing/vinyl-post-covers-c-107_11.html
Of course, most of those don't (at least without a little fudging) significantly increase the width of the post, which was the OP's goal. ( I suppose you could tack lath on the sides and then wrap with a 6" wrap, though.)
I love those DIY/HO responses that are honest enough to admit that not only are they too cheap to hire a professional but they are too cheap to do it the right way. Why did they come to Fine HomeBuilding then?
How many times have we seen this scenario:
"excuse my ignorance experts, but what is the proper way to do this to my house?"
several honest and well thought answers are given.
"that sounds too expensive, I think i'll just do it my own way regardless of your advice, safety, codes, durability, or aesthetics"
Then they skedaddle and we continue to argue which proper method is better.
ha, ha.
Nothing really against this particular DIY/HO's question or answers - I don't know his particular situation, his skill level, his aesthetic tastes, nor the value of his home. He just brought it to my attention with the reply concerning the cost of Azek.
But, what would it cost him to wrap a 4x4 in Azek... maybe around $100 per post? I mean, it's his HOME and probably his most precious investment. His house could be worth $100K or $200K, maybe more and he's worried about a couple hundred bucks that will certainly add to the value, improve the look, may need a little paint from time to time but will never need replacement.
Again, nothing against this HO in particular just that it's funny the decisions we make when it concerns our homes.
DC
DC
Admittedly the internet and these forums sometimes (usually) do not convey all the information. Oftentimes I'll think I have a picture of the problem, only to find out I was concentrating on a base hit rather than reading closely. Others it's differing terms and descriptions that confuse me. Sometimes I and others can't type worth a damn and the whole meaning is off.
Aside from that, occasionally DIY means they are truly interested in the doing, just need some information on the what. We try to explain how we would to a customer-"well, you should do it this way" because we know it will take care of the problem. We have the benefit of being there and seeing the problem when it's in front of us, whereas this long distance troubleshooting is a wild assed guess at best considering all the necessary info we really don't have.
And yes, there are times when the DIY desire is more because of lack of fundage than the desire to be hands on.
AND, I'm sure you'll agree that over the years in your business, you've not had carte blanche all the time. Long term fix to some means make it nice now, we might be selling in a couple years. And I'm sure the prospective homeowner might not be too impressed in the life of the replacement v. the price of the house............
This post I'd really like to see a picture of as I'm too blind in the head to have a visual of it.
why u got a burr under your saddle??
This forum's been pitched as a place for beginning DIY'ers to get info from more experienced people, be they DIYers or tradesmen, or GC's since it's inception. The OPs question is just the type that helped make this place grow in the past. Some of the oldtimers started here asking basic questions, then grew into really accomplished craftsman.
Here's a new member that's asking basic information & you do your best to run them off. If you think this is not a place for DIYers go hang at JLC.
Ed
thanks for the tips. Sounds like fur out the existing 4"x4" post and then decide what to clad with. My goal is to get it to a 6"x6" dimension, but like I said in the original post, the concrete pilings are a 4"x4" base or else I would just up a nice new cedar 6"x6" post and stain it.
Wax, 2 questions.
first, did you address the above reply to yourself or to one of those that replied to you? I ask because we're trying to figure out if that reply button is working for the original poster. It's getting confusing, especially as there's no reply to "ALL".
second, could you post a picture of this foundation and the posts.
thanks.
DIY Problem
I am one of the less talented DIY's who 'hang' out on this site because of what I can learn. Often, I querry those professionals who work in the area of expertise because knowledge is key. In the 5 years I have been a member I would suspect I have learned how to tile, how to trim and recently how to hang a door with success. Each time - after I have asked the question - I have tried my best to follow the collective advice from the responses. Not often, but sometimes, the advice merges into a political discussion or an out-and-out disagrement about how to best procede on a project. I still read and try to listen so I can be a better DIY.
I am a professional in a very non-associated field. Many times folks ask me advice in my specality area - I try to answer understanding that my knowledge might help others and is better given away then held in check. You ask me and I will tell all as much as I can - sometimes to the point that I will bore you to death.
So I read with interest the response criticising those of us who use this site and are not craftsmen. As unfair as I feel that condemnation is I am very thankful for those of you who have helped in the past and set me on the right track. But no matter what I am cheap - if I can save money and get the smae result and quality I will try. Don't be offended. And please don't kick me to the curb because you know something I do not. Remember I know something you do not.
Mike
Und76xx
Nobody's getting kicked to the curb and nobody is being condemned - especially those making the effort to take up the reins of one's own property and attempting to attain a higher level of knowledge and skill.
It simply struck me as comical the manner which we all may give advice as experts or receive advice from experts in another field. Sometimes we heed to expertise - especially when it's cheaper. But so often we see the cost estimate to do it right and we decide that maybe half right will be just fine (which is really just half assed).
I am no exception to the rule - even in construction. While I certainly have a better handle on what is right and what is wrong and more importantly what the consequences of pursuing either may be, I cannot in good faith expect anyone to believe I have lived a life of only the highest standards. Indeed, I've postponed the occasional home surgery and made due with just a house bandages - sometimes I have even applied bandages for pay; albeit against my better judgement and expert consultation.
So, no "burr under the saddle" and definitely no disrespect to the OP on his posts - it just humored me a bit. Actually, as a traditionalist I prefer solid wood post wraps for my own home - but that's a different story. Another bit of humor that struck me in this discussion was the idea that if you are planning of selling your home soon then you should consider a cheaper (read: lower quality) material. That's like saying you deserve only the best but the next guy gets a steaming pile (g).
Now, stop being such a sensitive bunch!
DC
DC
Another bit of humor that struck me in this discussion was the idea that if you are planning of selling your home soon (how you take from this) then you should consider a cheaper (read: lower quality) material. That's like saying you deserve only the best (and get this) but the next guy gets a steaming pile (g). is beyond me.
calvin
So I readily admit that "The Best" vs. "Steaming Pile" is exaggerative in this situation - but the rhetoric was more interesting than anything I could come up with to describe 'second best'.
But there are people out there who do live by my extremist example. I once knew a house flipper (when that was more lucrative) who said to my face, "I'd fill nail holes [ in drywall ] with toothpaste if it sold the house faster."
Just sayin' - it kinda smirks of "right" versus "wrong".
DC
Well, it's a poor comparison
This place doesn't foster that kind of talk. There is some purist comments when vinyl is stuck on a victorian, but that isn't happening in this case. Fix it to look good or fix to last a lifetime doesn't warrant that kind of talk either.
Please consider something out of this. A little decorum once in a while doesn't hurt anybody.
thanks.
re:Dreamcatcher
I can appreciate your thoughts, Dreamcatcher, even if I don't agree with them or how you addressed DIYers in this forum. Your point about the relative cost is a good one, and I think your point is "use Azek if you can afford". Or am I reading between the lines.
The OP was to solicit tips not only to "build out" and "furr out", but what material to use as final cladding. And what takes paint best. I was not only interested in the construction technique (no offense, Dreamcatcher, but it doesn't take much to furr out a 4x4) but to get a sense of people's tastes in cladding (pine, engineered wood, vinyl, etc.) especially when painting.
Anyways, I'm not here to fight. Get enough of that elsewhere these days. I love reading all of the post and replies across this forum. I don't just tune it to read my posts.
So a big thanks to everyone (including Dreamcatcher) who takes the time to help us casual, weekend-warrior DIYers with some tips, advice, opinions, and (most importantly to me), their likes and dislikes.
Wax
Can you post a picture of this area?
thanks.
I want the last word
Dream: Very well said and I have to commend your on writing style and grammar use. I will aslo admit that I am sensative about my 'lack' of talent in the construction arena. I would love to know what you guys do - and so I watch "Homes on Homes" on the tube whenever I get a chance. They never really show how to do stuff but some of the dicussion includes why do something.
So I continue to read on and hope that what I attempt to do on my own is a quality application. Then again I hope to understand - know - when I am in over my head. I will continue to ask for perfonnal advice from this site and probably continue to laugh at the political discussion that often enter into 'How do I fix my roof'? - well you need to understand you carbon footprint first type of thingy.
Thanks for you reply aand soon I will be asking about a diswasher install. This I am going to do myself!
Mike
re:photo
best photo i have at the moment, taken in late winter. about to change the soffits, fascia and eaves to black and then side the house in Timber Bark Hardieplank with black corner and widow trim.
Good lord
you live at the North Pole?
You should be flogged for posting that picture with the harsh memories of winter still in my mind.
I guess you changed the post layout. Was there a full slab (or is there) there b/4?
I guess if painting it black, I wouldn't use azek, that much dark with sun might move it around on one side too much...............or not-can't say.
I understand you're wanting to beef up the 4x4's. One thing I did for a customer that had a similar thought, built up the lower third. It balanced on their home with a slightly large fascia/soffit top. Something to mock up if you want.
Just putting pcs. on the show side temporarily can give you an idea of the look once you back up into the yard. If you're married, you might want to try some different scenarios..................
Really can't tell much of the lower area with the snow pile.
Wrapping a post
If you are going to build out the post there are numerous ways all involving furring strips or the like. You can use solid or finger joint wood trim primed or top coated. You may also use a PVC post wrap that is sized to the width you want and wraps around the post but it requires gluing. The PVC comes in precut lengths. If you paint these products black you will be creating a heat sink, this will adversely affect the PVC as it is thermo reactive. If you use a finger jointed product that is pine you may run into pitch bleed or sweat. Cedar finger joint or solid will not react to the dark color paint but make sure you back prime it .