Front porch railing ideas

[WarnerConstInc.]

My big outside project for this fall/winter is tearing off my front porch (framing, roof and old posts/railings).

I am trying to get it back to how it was, or at least how it used to be attatched to the house. Right now it covers up a bunch of big cool old trim boards. I am basically building a parrapet type roof structure. Frame it flat, then rip my tapers to get the pitch I want from the back corner out to the opposite front corner.

I have my epdm for the roof, ordered the copper for the wall caps and flashing. Still need to pick out the copper rain box for the scuffer.

Any ways, that gives you an idea of what I am doing. I am trying to mix a few different materials on this, using some Miratec and probably composite sleeves for the posts.

I need help with the railings, I dont want to use composite railing sections (dont get me wrong, they are a great product but, everyone has the same style of spindles on thier front porch) I want to stand out a little.

So I could use some design ideas, and material ideas. I have a bunch of left over composite spindles but, I am not sure what I could really do with them.

Help a brother out with some ideas!!

Thanks guys (ok and lady's)
Darcy

[ChrWright]

Here's a railing we restored on a 20s house.

The original was just the band cut bds about 10" apart, so we added the 2x2s to close up the gaps but still keep the same overall look.

http://wrightworks.net/images/MB0241.JPG
http://wrightworks.net/images/MB0245.JPG
http://wrightworks.net/images/MB0236.JPG
http://wrightworks.net/images/EX0639.JPG

[ChrWright]

They were fairly easy to turn out--just cedar 2x4 s4 bandsawn and sanded to the profile.

Here are the orig. posts, which we turned new ones to match:
http://wrightworks.net/images/IMG_0026.JPG
http://wrightworks.net/images/IMG_0027.JPG

[WarnerConstInc.]

Very nice, the slate roof is kick ass!!

The real question is what kind of wood?
White oak is a good choice, I believe.
Mahogany? Seems a shame to paint that.
I hate Cedar, hate it.
I am not to sure of a place that I could get Cypress or mahogany, and if I buy it rough, I am going to need to get that 20" planer I have had my eye on.

Those are cool Chris, I also like the pregnant/belly ones, and the ones that look like they were cut out of a sheet of plywood (I know they are not but, you know what I mean)

Just to clarify, there is nothing remaining of the orginal nor can I find any pictures of it either.

[neolitic]

Very nice, the slate roof is kick ass!!

The real question is what kind of wood?
White oak is a good choice, I believe.
Mahogany? Seems a shame to paint that.
I hate Cedar, hate it.
I am not to sure of a place that I could get Cypress or mahogany, and if I buy it rough, I am going to need to get that 20" planer I have had my eye on.

Those are cool Chris, I also like the pregnant/belly ones, and the ones that look like they were cut out of a sheet of plywood (I know they are not but, you know what I mean)

Just to clarify, there is nothing remaining of the orginal nor can I find any pictures of it either.

A pic of the front of the house
could help?
Flat roof says Greek Revival to me
(I know it ain't Belvidere).
What are you going for?

[ChrWright]

The posts are Cypress, the railing cedar.

[WarnerConstInc.]

Ok, I am almost embarassed of this picture but, I need to get this porch right so I can get some more siding off, stuff flashed right and move on to paint prep.

The one picture shows where the porch roof tied into the house orginally.
Right now it covers up a 14" wide trim board and my neat old wood over hangs.

[WarnerConstInc.]

The thing is Neo, you really wont notice it being a flat roof.

I would bet money that the orginal roof was a flat terne metal roof with a drain in the middle, or on the end.

[JasonW]

I'm getting Spanish Ceder for a little less than Mahogany right now, but it's in the rough. I you have a planer, I'd go that way and save a few bucks. I don't buy much dressed wood these days unless it's a 2 x 4 or something.

[naptownCr]

Very nice, the slate roof is kick ass!!

The real question is what kind of wood?
White oak is a good choice, I believe.
Mahogany? Seems a shame to paint that.
I hate Cedar, hate it.
I am not to sure of a place that I could get Cypress or mahogany, and if I buy it rough, I am going to need to get that 20" planer I have had my eye on.

Those are cool Chris, I also like the pregnant/belly ones, and the ones that look like they were cut out of a sheet of plywood (I know they are not but, you know what I mean)

Just to clarify, there is nothing remaining of the orginal nor can I find any pictures of it either.

Can you post a picture of the entire mutt (I mean house ) There is a lot going on there and without the entire picture it is hard to come up with something or idea that would fit. Precisely what style are you looking to acheive?

[Eieio]

Can you post a picture of the entire mutt (I mean house ) There is a lot going on there and without the entire picture it is hard to come up with something or idea that would fit. Precisely what style are you looking to acheive?

I agree you need a few pics showing the overall house Darcy

[WarnerConstInc.]

Can you post a picture of the entire mutt (I mean house ) There is a lot going on there and without the entire picture it is hard to come up with something or idea that would fit. Precisely what style are you looking to acheive?

I am taking it back to 1890 farm house.

[WarnerConstInc.]

My progress in the last 2 years, or should I say 'lack'

Pictures are a little fuzzy, darn near dark out though.

First is the kitchen that I tore off completely last year.

Most of that is new.

Next is the north side, Ummm.. almost there. See how the porch roof covers up the eave and the frieze boards.
The one picture previously was showing inside the ceiling/roof area above the front door.

Last is the south side, have not touched it yet but, really want to rip the two layers of siding off before winter.

[neolitic]

I knew it, Ok, I am taking it back to 1890 farm house....
The problem with the front porch,... is that it does not fit with the house. It is covering up siding and trim that was orginally exposed....
I can take a piture of one that I am pretty sure mine was like.
They had flat soldered terne metal roofs and a small section of pitched roof that wraped around the edges.


So, maybe kind of "carpenter gothic"?
Some light turned posts with scroll cut
knee brackets, and flat sawn ballusters
on the order of Chris'?

Yes, pix of the other house!

[naptownCr]

OK imho tear the roof off of the porch. The upper roof plane and the porch plane are about the same. Lose the Hip on the porch and make the porch roof a part of the upper roof plane. If you must, change the pitch on the porch roof to a shallower pitch and remove the exposed old fascia and soffit. Go with a Standard rail profile but not in fir or pine but redwood and be sure to prime and bed the lower ends.

:2thumbsup::2thumbsup::2thumbsup:

[WarnerConstInc.]

OK imho tear the roof off of the porch. The upper roof plane and the porch plane are about the same. Lose the Hip on the porch and make the porch roof a part of the upper roof plane. If you must, change the pitch on the porch roof to a shallower pitch and remove the exposed old fascia and soffit. Go with a Standard rail profile but not in fir or pine but redwood and be sure to prime and bed the lower ends.

:2thumbsup::2thumbsup::2thumbsup:

Also, remember, the kitchen part of the house was not there when it was built. Just the two story part and the one story part with the porch.

If I liked the porch roof sloped like that, I would just fix the rest of the porch.

With the porch roof like it is, it is covering part of the house up that did not used to be.

The porch roof was framed flat at some time.

Oldest picture I have of the porch is from the late 50's and it had already been butchered by then. I wonder if no one maintained their terne metal roof? Just needs a coat of paint about every 8 years, last forever then.

[naptownCr]

Also, remember, the kitchen part of the house was not there when it was built. Just the two story part and the one story part with the porch.

If I liked the porch roof sloped like that, I would just fix the rest of the porch.

With the porch roof like it is, it is covering part of the house up that did not used to be.

The porch roof was framed flat at some time.

Oldest picture I have of the porch is from the late 50's and it had already been butchered by then. I wonder if no one maintained their terne metal roof? Just needs a coat of paint about every 8 years, last forever then.

OK I can go with that.
If you truly believe it was flat with a terne roof go with it it wouldn't look bad. I have seen old porches done both ways.

[WarnerConstInc.]

I am trying hard to track down an old photo.

I have a picture from each time a new layer of siding was put on!!!

I have met and talked to a lady that was born in the room I am sitting in now, back in 1936.

The house west of me and my house were the first farms in the area, there were a couple bank barns and a set of RR tracks behind (not there anymore).

[neolitic]

......I can take a piture of one that I am pretty sure mine was like.....


That would be great.

[WarriorWithWood]

How about some Chippendale Rails?http://2004.perfection-fence.com/images/76a.jpg




EDIT: Fixed so everyone doesn't have to scroll.

[JasonW]

Damn it Dennis! We don't all have 56" monitors! lol Now I gotta scroll bar at the bottom of my tinny 14" laptop!

[WarnerConstInc.]

Neo, I will have to take a picture tomarrow.
That house has the same framing style but, has a lot of fret work and gigner bread details on it.

Dennis, I really like that. Although I am not sure if it looks right on that house in the picture.

[WarriorWithWood]

Damn it Dennis! We don't all have 56" monitors! lol Now I gotta scroll bar at the bottom of my tinny 14" laptop!

:laugh4: Looks really nice on my screens.:2thumbsup: I fixed it.

Dennis, I really like that. Although I am not sure if it looks right on that house in the picture.

I agree, but it would look really nice on yours.:2thumbsup:

[WarnerConstInc.]

I like the flat sawn, I like the belly one's, I like the chippendale ones (I called them that but, the old lady called me gay when I was trying to explain to her).

Just remember, it was just a farm house. I can't do something way over the top because it would stick out like a sore thumb, compared to the rest of the house.

[naptownCr]

How about some Chippendale Rails?http://2004.perfection-fence.com/images/76a.jpg




EDIT: Fixed so everyone doesn't have to scroll.

I like the flat sawn, I like the belly one's, I like the chippendale ones (I called them that but, the old lady called me gay when I was trying to explain to her).

Just remember, it was just a farm house. I can't do something way over the top because it would stick out like a sore thumb, compared to the rest of the house.

The chippendale would be over the top. If this was a farm house the detail was probably much simpler.

[naptownCr]

Thsose rails are not chippendale they were actually first seen in Williamsburg. hence why they are called williamsburg railings. Do not propose doing these railings on any one's house if they are Jewish. The pattern really looks like a swastica.
True Chippendales change direction with each added piece radiating out from the center

[neolitic]

Thsose rails are not chippendale they were actually first seen in Williamsburg. hence why they are called williamsburg railings. Do not propose doing these railings on any one's house if they are Jewish. The pattern really looks like a swastica.
True Chippendales change direction with each added piece radiating out from the center

I've heard them called "chinese chippendale."

[naptownCr]

Which ones^

[neolitic]

The Williamsburg style.

[naptownCr]

The Williamsburg style.

I've heard them called that also.
Tell me if I am wrong but a true chippendale doesn;t have all pieces in the quadrant going n the same direction. each piece should be perpendicular to the previous piece.

[neolitic]

I've heard them called that also.
Tell me if I am wrong but a true chippendale doesn;t have all pieces in the quadrant going n the same direction. each piece should be perpendicular to the previous piece.

Don't know about that.
I've always wondered what Chippendale
really had to do with that anyway.
Just never wondered enough to do
the research...:laugh4:

[neolitic]

Are I on the right track?

[WarnerConstInc.]

I like the third one, kind of small.

I am getting ready to go to the grocery, so I will take some pictures of the one down the street.

[neolitic]

Don't know how to control the size
of these pix.
Here's the link....

http://images.google.com/images?q=carpenter%20gothic%20architecture&oe=utf-8&rlz=1R1GGGL_en___US342&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

Dover Publications has lots of reprints
of old pattern books....cheap.

[WarnerConstInc.]

The rails on that 3rd picture are cool.

[ChrWright]

Planning on using up some of that lumber meant for the kitchen floor? :grin:

[WarnerConstInc.]

Planning on using up some of that lumber meant for the kitchen floor? :grin:

No, I hope not!!

I usually just go busting into things without much planning at home.

I figured I could work on building my railings in the evening or something, so when it is framed and roofed I could slip my railings right in.

I actually just set up to do some straight line ripping for my flooring.
My porch made me think about actually buying a big planer.

It never ends does it guys!!

[neolitic]

....I usually just go busting into things without much planning at home.....

I had a sneaking feeling you don't have
the patience to wait for the pattern books! :laugh4:

[WarriorWithWood]

There's an excellent article in TIC on how to build a proper Chippendale rail.

http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/ipaper2.htm

Page 82.

[neolitic]

........I am getting ready to go to the grocery, so I will take some pictures of the one down the street.

Go thou forth and maketh photographs!

[naptownCr]

There's an excellent article in TIC on how to build a proper Chippendale rail.

http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/ipaper2.htm

Page 82.

The Chippendale I was talking about is shown on page 86 of the above link. the center section on the bench

[WarnerConstInc.]

Attention Neo-

I couldn't get a good picture of the porch up the street.

I dont know why I didn't explain it better to begin with but, the style/framing is a mini-mansard roof.

That porch has a bunch of cool details built out in the soffet/eave where it meets the roof line.

I might have to go knock on the guys door and just tell him I am taking a picture.

[neolitic]

Attention Neo-

I couldn't get a good picture of the porch up the street.

I dont know why I didn't explain it better to begin with but, the style/framing is a mini-mansard roof.

That porch has a bunch of cool details built out in the soffet/eave where it meets the roof line.

I might have to go knock on the guys door and just tell him I am taking a picture.

Just jerking your chain. :laugh4:

I know you've got women to
take care of.