Some Historic Porches

s. donato

since i am new to this place i figured i would show off some of my past work. i know jason know me but not to much the rest of you so hope you enjoy.

this one started it all for me:
http://picasaweb.google.com/saldonat...ey=S_RIdnUfpxY

this thing was a beast. i am currently bidding on doing the back of this house - it looks the same upper and lower but has two sets of steps.
http://picasaweb.google.com/saldonato/Historic2

http://picasaweb.google.com/saldonat...ey=NKULNbPCp9U
i am not that proud of #4, mainly b/c we ran into HO issues and she wanted everything cheap and i wound up almost leaning the place b/c she wouldn't pay. the main upset was that it was riddled with termites so when we opened it up to replace the floor and rails it turned into a whole gut. which she didn't expect financially. it was a rental so done on the cheap was the name of the game.

let me know what you think.

Ed the Roofer

Welcome Sal.

I will check out your photos when I get to my better screen.

Your input and experience will go a long way with other members on this site.

Ed

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The Captain

Really nice job. I know what you mean about the H/O wanting it for one price and you give them a reality check hoping you get the check from them.

s. donato

captain,

that job was something different then the norm, i wanted it to make the customer as happy as i could, but there is just so much you can do when they don't have the money.

we rebuilt that 4th one from the joists up and did a great job for what i charged her. she just didn't have the money - even though she signed every change order. i think there is some law against doing that.

unfortunately i didn't know about her financial problems until she missed the a payment and at that point i couldn't leave the deck in the condition it was for liability reasons so i choose to finish it quick and then deal with her.

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BuiltByMAC

Hey guy,

Like the bracing you set up for that beast job!

On the #4, did you reuse the beams that were cantilevered back into the structure?

Last question, the hardwood strips you installed on the porch and steps/risers...how did you prep for that job? I've never installed hardwood flooring, inside or out...

Thanks for sharing the pics...always like seeing project photos!

Mac

s. donato

mac

that bracing was what my lead carpenter came up with. it was interesting to say the least but it worked and didn't inhibit the public walkway too much so everyone was happy.

thanks for the comments. i just landed the back porch on that blue monster to do over the next coming months. just got my HPC approval. now i need to get permits and reprice half the job b/c the HPC will not let me do a lesser grade porch for the back yard they want to see the same quality for the front. i guess that's the problem with them liking the front so much. i found out they are using pics of my front porch in their packets to tell people this is how it should look. a shame i couldn't get my company name on those pics ;-)

on to your answers...

#1 and #4 we reused the existing cantilevered beams, but sistered both sides of them and vycored the top. then build off of them as if you would with any other project. i also sealed the wholes in the facade with sealants before reframing just in case. #1 we cut a line into the mortar of the brick and installed bent copper flashing to get the water away from the building on the #4 she could only afford caulks. most of the beams were true 2x8 or 6 cedar heartwood beams. on #4 the termite damage was not bad at all (maybe 1/2" of the top of one beam they went after the fir flooring first) so i had them professionally sprayed so i could finish the job. they warrantied the beams that there will be no more damage if the customer kept up with the recommended sprayings - which she probably didn't... all documented in change orders ;-)

as for the flooring coverings. they are all HPC approved T&G mahogany. the HPC only allows fir and mahogany flooring to be used no PT except for posts and framing incontact with the ground. that detail on the #1 deck for the steps was somehting i came up with on the spot to dress them up and allow for us to not have to trim out each step with fir to hide the PT. the HO orginally sealed the deckign b/c he thought it looked to nice to paint, but after the first winter he painted it. the HPC requires everything to be painted so he realy didn't have a choice, but it did look really nice for the first year.

to prep it we actually just did a stacked frame stairs - at least thats what i call them - we just made 3 boxes out of 2x8's and stacked them then added blockign so we had something to screw the deckign too. i did install all that decking with predrillign and blind screwing SS trim head screws through the tounge side of the boards. since then i use an PL on the joists and SS L-Cleat nails in a flooring nailer to install the decking. unless someone is willing to pay us to install it that way. i give the customer the option and let them choose.

one of the other porch floors i did we actually l cleated the boards in and glued each T&G together and PLed the boards to the joists to create a perfect seamless floor... the guy who ever has to remove that floor is going to hate me. it looks perfect 2 years later.

i do inspections of all my previous jobs on a yearly basis and have even done minor repairs here and there at no cost to the HO. these historic properties require maintenance and most of my customer appreciate that i drop by when in the area to make sure there is nothing wrong. most of the time it is caulk here or its due for paint. i have repaired a few badly split balusters(especially on PT rails) in the past that just was the luck of the draw when they got installed. i do strive for 100% customer satisfaction but we all know that is just not possible... cough cough #4....

if your wondering why there is no #3 there is its still in the works along with #5 - waiting for customer to save up the necessary funds ;-) got to love Historical projects.

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DavidC

Welcome to the forums Sal. You'll like it here.

I recognize your first one from a thread I followed on JLC I think. Nice work all around.

FWIW, you may know me as Carpenter on other forums.

Good Luck
Dave

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s. donato

thanks david

your right that first one i did i posted alot about b/c it was something i was not used to.

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Bergen County's Premier Home Maintenance Provider.