New Home Construction

[EddieWalker]

I had a similar thing with a house I was working on. The home owner had a large brick wall around her front door and wanted a way to break it up. I suggested a covered porch. She couldn't afford to that, but loved the look I drew up for her. We then decided to build a frame with PT 4X6's to give her the look she wanted without the expense. Unfortunaltely I didnt' get any pictures of that job.

I drew a rough sketch on your photo to show you what I'm talking about. It's dirt cheap to do, and depending on the style or design you use, it will give you the look you're after.

Again, all you have to do is attach the lumber to the framing as ledger boards, then trim it out. Since it attaches to the walls, no other supports are needed. Flashing on the top of the boards keeps out the weather and a little trim to match the houses roof will tie it all together.

Eddie

 

[bmac]

Don,

I always appreciate your comments because I think you are blessed with a "good eye" for esthetics. I must admit that after I did the bootleg photoshop alteration of the original scanned image, I questioned whether or not my concerns would end up being a problem afterall.

For perspective, the ceiling height on the garage and masterbedroom wings is 10' (11' feet in the center section). So, floor level on the 2nd floor is about 12" above that. Add a 4' knee wall and the height at the eaves is about 15'. Still wonder if the windows will be dwarfed by that much space.

I did another rendition where I made the windows on the wings the same size as those in the center section. I've attached that image to this post. I think it looks better but may not be doable without some interior changes. You see, one of those windows is in a laundry room and there is a sink in front of the window. But because we plan to have plantation shutters for the interior window treatments on these front windows, we may still be able to do this with some creative plumbing. I have seen kitchen windows that extend below counter height and they managed to make it work.

 

[bmac]

Cowboyjg,

You may have solved the problem. I took your suggestion and made another alteration to the image. My wife likes it (as do I). Look at the attachment to see if this is what you had in mind.

I really appreciate the help.

 

[bmac]

Now, here it is with the larger windows. Don't really know if this makes a significant difference or not.

 

[bmac]

Eddie,

I was hoping you would weigh in on this. Nothing like hearing from someone with field experience. I think you have offered up another good option. Certainly less expensive than extending the porch (more concrete, wood, metal roofing, etc.). Do the 4x6 pieces go on before the exterior siding or on top of the Hardiplank? I'll bring this option to the table next week as well.

Looks like we will be on the eastern fringe of the bad hurricane weather as it heads north. We'll see then how much the rain slows down our progress. I'll report back after I talk to the builder and we have finalized a plan.

Thanks again, Eddie, cowboy and Don for taking the time to offer your suggestions.

 

[OkeeDon]

I like the extended porch. Works for me. I'd use the original windows. The higher windows in the center section are proportional to the higher height of that section; they look a little odd (to me) in the lower-roofed wings. Maybe a compromise, if the windows exist, somewhere in between the original and the tall. If not, I'd stay with the original.

Gotta run -- I just got a new straw hat last week after a comment Harve made; now I gotta get another one. I wish you guys would insult me a little, I could go back to the smaller hats.

 

[Cowboyjg]

What I had in mind was giving you an alternative that would get you what you wanted in the way of style, functionality and value for the dollar. If YOU like it, THAT'S WHAT MATTERS!!!
(I do BTW)
Some thoughts about extending the porch that may help justify the cost.

You don't really need much in the way of concrete other than individual footers on which you can place posts (4x4 or 6x6) to support the porch. That in turn can be enclosed with the same Hardie material you are already using so it matches the house. You could also utilize screen backed vinyl lattice to add a more decorative touch. you could also have a small door at one end or both so as to utilize the area under the porch for storage. You dont need to insulate and you could get away with just purlins to carry the metal roof and 1/4" bead board plywood on the ceiling, which could be painted sky blue like they did in the old days.
The porch will serve to allow light in but provide shade to help minimize the heat of the summer, helping to reduce your energy bills. You have alot of windows!!

At christmas time you can decorate it with garland and lights and bows. On patriotic holidays bunting and "Ol' Glory can be displayed proudly for all to see.

The front porch in the fall and spring are one of the most wonderful places to spend an evening with your honey and a glass of wine or even breakfast to songs of the birds and the rustling of the squirrels in the trees.

You see, if the time comes when you decide to move on, those very pictures are what will swirl around in the mind of the prospective buyer. Quite the romantic vision wouldn't you say... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif How much is it worth to you to get that for your wife for christmas? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, Thanks for the opportunity to exercise the right side of my brain.

On a side note....As a builder by trade it is very educational for me to get to see the different influences from around the country. It has been a wealth of ideas that have helped me with some of my own challanges in this business.

Good luck on your project.

 

[bmac]

Cowboyjg,

The reason I mentioned concrete in the cost of widening the porch is because the original porch has a poured foundation (I think About 4'). I've pulled up and attached an old photo of the front of the house which was taken after the backfill was done. In any event, the plan calles for the exposed portion of this to be covered with brick just like the rest of the exposed poured basement walls.

I considered just adding piers to the porch extension. But, even if they are made of concrete block and covered in brick, I'm sure about the look. Again, I'll talk to the builder to see what he thinks. Although this house is being built on a cost + basis and he would do whatever I asked (assuming it is doable), I believe he would protect me from myself if I asked him to do something that he didn't think would look right.

In any event, I do appreciate your comments and suggestions. Feel free to jump in any time, even if I'm asking for advice. Sometimes I may not have enough sense to ask questions when I should /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[EddieWalker]

The time I did this, the brick was already up, so I drilled through the brick to secure it. Since there is no overhang, just the thickness of the 4x6's, stength wasn't as big a concern compared to extending it out or supporting weight.

I've never installed or worked with hardi lap siding like your using, so I'm unsure what the best aproach would be if you went this route. I'm guessing to install the beams after the OSB and house wrap goes up, then cut the hardi to fit.

I also thought you might want to change materials for inside the beams. Maybe something flat, but again, not being onsite, it's a matter of apperance.

There are several designs you could create to achieve your desired look and break up the large wall, some more oranate, others more basic.

As for the porch, I love it. In my opinion, you can't have too much!!! It gives you that happy feeling every time you see you home and what would be nicer than sitting around watching the sun set?

I also see a couple thousand dollars more in work to build it along with more time. Over all, you wont regret it, but at some point you have to decide on how much over budget you're willing to go.

The idea of using larger windows seems to create as many problems as it solves. Plus the overall look of the place changes again, and almost starts to look like a church.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

OK, I showed your picture of your design to Steph and she came up with this idea. Match the windows to the dormers to carry the design through the entire house.

She didn't like the porch idea, said that if you want a large porch, that it should be in the back of the house. The giant porch in front is too much.

Eddie