frumpy front and boring back porches get character-building makeover
This utilitarian Los Angeles area cottage had served its original owner well for over 50 years – but she decided it was due for some face-lifting. In addition, it was determined that some safety handrails would be a wise addition during the makeover.
The front walkway was small and badly cracked, so it was decided to pour a new, wider walkway also.
In back, the small cement stoop just wasn’t adequate anymore, a larger sitting deck with grab-rails on either side of the steps was chosen.
Its always a goal of mine that my work should blend in, and harmonize with the structure. So I considered it a compliment, when, upon completing the front porch, several neighbors stopped by to ask, Something’s different – what is it?
Overall, I was pleased with the outcome, as was the 93-year-old homeowner – my mom! And yes, it was kinda nice to be able to give something back to the house I terrorized (and nearly burned down – don’t ask) as a kid!
-
The porch was bulit up with cement over expanded metal lath, then garden pavers were mortared down and grouted. Stone-look pavers were tiled up the side, for a bit of contrast to the red brick look of steps and porch. Posts were added to anchor the safety grab-rails (a real priority for the 93 year-old homeowner), and a shade trellis overhead on new corble brackets added a bit of casual charm. A new concrete walkway with colored additive made for a safer approach from the sidewalk Its difficult to see in this photo, but the handrail has an offset where it crosses the window, so there is plenty of knuckle room, and room to wash the window.
-
Here you can see the original porch, as it had remained for many years. It was stable, but had some cracks from the various earthquakes it had lived through. The porch itself was a few inches lower than the floor of the house, and needed to be brought up closer to level with the threshold. The entire porch was covered with black builder's paper to act as a "slip sheet" in case of minor further settling and expanded metal lath over that, then a couple inches of cement was troweled down before tiling with cement pavers. And the homeowner added an earnest request: Can you make it look a little more inviting?
-
I had some handrail and balusters left over in my attic from some project or another, just waiting for this moment, apparently - since I had just about exactly enough to fit this small porch! I added some dentiled trim at the gable, and built a custom gable vent from plywood (around an off-the-shelf round metal vent).
-
A new gate was also added, complete with "Ruby diamonds" - the diamond-shaped cutouts in the gate for Ruby, the owner's Miniature Australian Shepherd, to view the world through.
-
The original back porch was just a small cement stoop - not very user-friendly for the elderly owner. And, as the morning sun was usually blinding, a little larger shade cover was called for. A mini-deck was built over the old porch, with safety railing, to make the back porch area more accessible. Here, the proud homeowner poses with her new deck (and at her side is her constant companion, Ruby). She now enjoys her tea on the porch, something she could never do before!
View Comments