Hi,
I’m working on my front porch. I need to replace the 1×10 planks that run on two sides (they cap the porch half-wall) as well the 6 1/2 inch square, hollow post for the roof, and its support.
My question is what exactly supports the front of the porch roof?
Currently, the two planks meet at the corner and are mitered to a 45 degree joint. There is a hole in the middle of the joint over which the hollow post rests. There is a _real_ 2×4 (it’s and old porch 😉 ) extending up from the porch foundation and then inside the hollow post. This is where the problem is. The 2×4 and one of the planks is rotted and disintegrating. The post has a little rot at a bottom corner.
Nothing I’ve read has suggested that a porch roof is supported except by the hollow post. If this is true, should I create a real frame on which the lay the 1×10 planks and then rest the post on the supported planks? Do I need to put a hole through the planks and use a an internal post? I’m planning to use a 6 1/2 square structural hollow post.
I haven’t taken it apart yet and really don’t want to diddle around with it until I know for certain what I’ll need to do. I don’t want to use a temporary support for any longer than necessary.
T.
Replies
It's a little hard to know what your terminpology all is but the way I understand it, you need to get a support from roof supporting beam to ground as temporary and then yank the hollow out of there, replace the gus of it with a 4x4PT or fir and then build a new wrap for railings to mount to.
Excellence is its own reward!
Hi,
Thanks for the response. I'm thinking to use a structural hollow post instead of a solid. Is there a reason not to?
I've also managed a trip to the bookstore and gotten the Tauton "Renovating Old Houses" book.
My old place is ballon framed and the porch walls are also constructed like this. In any event, I've got to re-frame both of the affected porch walls so they would support the weight anyway. The only thing hold them up was the ceddar shingles ;-)
Is there a reason not to?
As long as you can be sure the ppost will hold it all up.
In a hollow 6x6 post built from one by material there ios about the same amout of material as in a solid 4x4 and it has a larger section fighting against deflection. The critical element is your glue joints to keep it functioning as one single piece with all four sides supporting one another to resist deflection..
Excellence is its own reward!
Can you post some pics?
Sooooooo much easier to give advice about this sort of thing if we can see it.