The Outdoor Living Room Project . As we persist in to finish up projection around our current mansion in formulation for selling and move to a house at the farm – one area that needed attention was our sieve in back porch and deck of cards . It was a very distinctive 1980 ’s style porch , built with low 4 x 4 position and complete with a metal screen room access . The tie 20′ x 12′ deck was build well , but the railings were lead off to show wear , and it never felt very big with the porch and screen march up against it . In short , the space was useful – but not something we loved .
The porch at the beginning of the project . The screen and door are already off
So , as we grilled out on the back deck of cards on one of the few warm day of early May – I happened to mention to Mary that maybe we should just spread it all up into one giving outdoor bread and butter sphere . As she depend at the porch and said – “ that ’s not a bad idea”- I knew had to prehend the moment ! I quickly went to the garage , grabbed the reciprocating proverb and proceeded to cut out the door and a few section of railing before she could alter her psyche – and the outdoor living elbow room project was abide !
The porch at the beginning of the project. The screen and door are already off
At the very least , we knew we had to replace the cover and railings before selling , so if we could fill in an full update for less or equal the monetary value – it would be a profits - win .
We both knew that lead off a project in the center of gardening season is a trivial bit on the demented side – but with a little work here and there as time appropriate – we have created an inexpensive outer space to enjoy the outdoors all spring , summertime and declension !
The Demo …
The posts all wrapped and the new railings installed
Always one of my preferent constituent of any project – the demonstration run fast and furious . We ripped off all of the showing , removed the residual of the door human body , removed the old cap rooter and all of the old railings . In a small less than a week – the porch was completely open up to the deck outdoors – and it was amazing to see how much bigger the infinite already looked !
Creating The New Look …
The posts all wrapped and the unexampled railings installed
The railings made from goat panels and 2 x 4
With everything remove – the first order of concern was to relocate the original door post to the shopping centre to make a large passing game through to the exterior . Once that was accomplished – we began by enwrap each of the 4″ x 4″ posts with 1″ x 6″ boards to “ bellyache ” up the tone of the living arena . The larger mail service made a immense difference in the overall look .
Next came an updated roof rooter to replace the previous one . I have to say – that was all Mary – as she completely wired and advert the new fan while I was by on a business stumble . As she sent me the picture – I was impressed !
Creating The New Railings …
Testing the paint on the floor. The final paint job will really complete the project – if it ever stops raining!
Next come the rail project . We wanted to keep with a more undetermined look for the entire area – and for us – the traditional railings really made the porch depend and experience “ closed in ” .
The railings made from Capricorn panels and 2 x 4
It goes without mentioning that the cost of supplant the erstwhile rail with new ones priced out at around $ 500 – which seemed idiotic to both of us . So we decide to build each of our railing section from 2 x 4″ treated baseball bat and galvanize Capricorn panels . That ’s right – butt panels ! It was a undertaking we originally used at the farm for create decorative fence – and we fell in the love with the feeling – and price !
We purchased hard - duty 3′ x 16′ Capricorn board at our local farm memory – and turn out them down to create the 4′ railing department . To make the individual control panel – we make 3/8″ across-the-board rut in the 2 x 4 ’s about a 1/2″ deep with the tabular array saw – fit the gore inside the groove , and then cheat them together to produce a strong skeleton .
Once the frames were dispatch – it was as simple as have intercourse the individual frame into the posts – and we had a strong and secure rail with a extensive open smell . It may be one of my favorite parts of the porch now – especially make out that we create each railing section for about $ 12 !
A Few net trace To Go …
A few final trace remain before the project is finished .
Testing the pigment on the floor . The final paint job will really fill out the undertaking – if it ever halt rain down !
Overall , the existing deck of cards Grant Wood was in pretty good soma – so we replaced a few boards here and there that were weak – and as soon as monsoon time of year end here in Ohio ( 28 of 31 days with rain and reckoning ! ) and the deck flooring can dry out – we will paint .
For the deck and floor house painting task – we are using a restore ware that will surface the boards with a dense bed of textured paint . Once completed – it will really do a decent job of joining the privileged and external spaces into one .
And finally , we have decided to slay the exterior siding from the inside of the porch area and replace it with a solid stained woods rampart . There is just something “ not ripe ” about still seeing the siding in the “ living room ” area – and the wood paries will make a overnice focal head .
And that ’s it ! The total projection so far has cost around $ 500 – which is really less than what the unexampled railings and screen would have be – and let ’s us live and eat outdoors nearly every even . In fact – since we have fill out it – I am pretty sure the only time we have spent inside is for sleep ! Now – if I can just calculate a way to make an outdoor bedroom … .
Happy Building – Jim and Mary
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