How do I add a front porch & entrance to a house?

Bill
by Bill
  3 answers
  • Latara Omen Moore Latara Omen Moore on Jan 03, 2019

    You may need a contractor depending on the size of it. Especially in certain areas because they will need to pull permits.

    But.... if it’s in per se. the middle of nowhere and all that isn’t required i would start by measuring how wide I want it to be on the house and then Measure out from your house how long you would like it to be. Dig your holes. Place quick Crete or whatever you plan to stabilize them with. Make sure they are level. If not, you may as well start over.I would start with getting some lag bolts and a 2x12 and fasten it to the concrete foundation or the outside wall depending on how high you want the porch floor to be. Mark where you want the floor to be and drop down about 2 inches underneath and place the top of the 2x12 there. The 2 inch gap is spacing for your floor boards. place the lag bolt in the 2x12 dead center. That way when you place your joists they will be Flush with the bottom of the other. If you are like me and want it sturdy you could go ever 16in and place another joist. Connect the ends with the joist fasteners. They look like a short metal taco shell with holes for the screws you will drive through them. I will advise doing them at an angle. The main reason is if you have long screws they will come out the other side looking really bad. Once you fasten those on you can then lay your floor boards down across them. If you want to have rails I would advise leaving the post from the corners attached so you have something sturdy to fasten to. If it’s more like a deck chop them off and smooth them out. Good luck.

    • Bill Bill on Jan 03, 2019

      Thank you for your response. Will keep your comments in mind.

  • William William on Jan 03, 2019

    That is a major project. Your best bet is to hire a contractor. You will need permits, pass building codes, and inspections. Proper post footings, proper sized posts, proper joists size, proper joist supports, etc.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jan 03, 2019

    The porch will need a foundation, and framing. Some communities have specific requirements when you add to the exterior of your home. You will need a permit. Locally, the regulations have gotten stricter about distance from the street, etc. where I live.

    • See 1 previous
    • William William on Jan 03, 2019

      My community has set back regulatio0ns also. My neighbors house is about 2' more forward than mine. He wanted to put in a front porch and was told he doesn't have the setback by the building department.