Hello All,
I’ve been asked by some friends to build a railing for their stone patio/steps, and am not sure what would be a good overall design that would fit in with the style of the house, and the space limitations involved.
The attached pics show that it’s an early 19’th century Pennsylvania farmhouse with a recent addition. The railing needs to span the space from the porch post, along the curved patio edge, and down the steps. They would like it to be made from a wood that needs minimal maintenance and can be left to weather to gray like the narrow attached arbor (hard to see) over the double doors in pic #1. I haven’t checked to be sure, but I guess it’s either teak, or mahogany. They also don’t want any railings on the rest of the porch, just in the area of the narrower patio and steps.
I’m a pretty experienced woodworker, having done a fair amount of wooden boatbuilding, bent laminations, and other curved work, but my questions/thoughts are these:
1) Any opinions on a reasonable design to transition from the painted porch post on one end, to the stone steps on the other. Weathered wood could look good over the stonework, but seems like it shouldn’t actually attach to the painted post. Maybe the railing should just stop at the end of the stone patio. I think the porch height is just under 30″, so it might not have to run all the way to the post.
2) What’s the best way to anchor a hollow boxed newelpost to the stonework? I guess that it would need to have a square steel tube core that would be anchored by a welded flange and anchor bolts, or would a pipe set in a drilled hole be better? Probably something I haven’t thought of.
3) In my experience, teak and white oak weather nicely, but of course, don’t epoxy as well as other woods such as mahogany which I’ve never left exposed. And white oak can splinter and move around alot. Any other woods out there that might work well in this situation? Ipe? I’m wondering whether an iron post/ballustrade system with a teak cap rail might not be the best thing for this place. Hmm…
4) Anybody know of any good books out there that have designs that might work with this situation. I’m trying to keep the look traditional, but the engineering as modern as needed to cope with bent wood and exposure to weather. Websites too! I plan on searching FHB for what it has to offer, but I haven’t subscribed to the magazine for years, as I do mostly furniture and cabinets now.
Well, that’s it! Hope I made some sense, and the pics aren’t toooo big to download!!!
Thanks alot for your input!
Jeff
Replies
Hi,
I love stonework but in this case the stone almost looks out of place. I would look into extending the existing deck and removing the stone work. This would allow you to extend the same look over the whole deck.
I feel what's in place now does not fit and if you try to add any more to what's there you may wind up with an expensive mess.
Ed
Hi Ed,
I hear what you're saying.
The owners bought the place in it's present shape, so i don't think they have much emotional investment in the stonework, but at the same time, probably dont want to do it over. I'll mention the idea anyway.
Jeff
To my eye, that calls for a metal railing. Powder coated AL styled like wrought iron.
I know there is premade partsavai;able. I go through a metal fab shop to get it.
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I agre with you . Powder coated Al. railing at the stone work and maybe even add it between the post on the wooden porch area. Might kind of help tie the disjointed designs together a little.
Dave
I'm with the other guys--
The front porch steps could use a nice wooden boxed newel. The addition has sort of a mediteranean feel and would look best with a more delicate, metal railing. Mixing materials (wood and metal) for effect can look great, but not on that house.