How to Build a Porch

A porch is a part of a building structure that is usually located at the entrance or doorway of the building. It separates the main floor of the home from the outside ground. It is constructed mostly at the same level of the house and suits the houses that are raised above the ground level. The porch may have steps in front of it in order to climb up to the house or climb down. If the porch is built around the entire perimeter of the house, it looks like a border that encompasses the house else, there are porches that are built only in front of the entrance doorway. If you know how to build a porch, you can built it as per your specifications and requirements.

People usually place some furniture on the porch so that the guests can be seated there or the owner themselves can sit on the porch and relish the scenery around while enjoying their tea or while dining too. Building your own porch gives you the freedom of planning the layout as per your likings and and enhance your home decor.

How to Build a Front Porch

Materials and Tools Required

• 2 X 4 lumber boards
• Four wood post stock
• Cement
• Sand
• Plastic anchors
• Lag bolts
• Nails
• Handsaw
• Drill
• Measuring tape
• Chalk line
• Hammer
• Gloves
• Shovel
• Pen and paper

Procedure To Build a Porch

Using gloves during the whole procedure will prove to be a good idea, specially if you are the only person doing all the chores. Using a pen and paper, draw the layout of the porch well in advance.

Step 1: Create a sill plate by laying out pressure treated lumber boards of 2 X 4 foot.

Step 2: Now, to attach the sill plate to the concrete layer beneath, drill holes at the corners of the concrete floors, insert plastic anchors in them and using lag bolts secure the sill plate to the concrete.

Step 3: To make the porch more firm and strong, add another layer of boards over the sill plate.

Step 4: Fix the top layer firmly. Erect a stud against the wall by placing it between the lower layer laid and upper layer; make arrangements to hold it in place temporarily. Place the top plate over this erected stud and place another stud to support the other side of the top plate at a suitable distance. Lay the other studs in the same manner. Mark the locations of the studs using a chalk line and measuring tape.

Step 5: Once all the locations of the studs are marked start installing the studs one by one and attach it well to the top plate using big nails and hammer.

Step 6: In case there is any difficulty in opening the door due to the lower sill layer, cut the base boards of the door using a power tool like a handsaw.

You can paint and decorate the porch further according to your taste and necessities. Build steps if the porch is too high. That process is not very difficult. To construct a porch around the entire house, you will need to follow the same procedure however, you will need almost 3 to 4 times more material.

Now, that your porch is ready, you can lay out chairs or swings and relax while having your morning or evening tea. You can even place some house plants around the porch so that the porch looks ornamented as well as you get fresh air to breathe. Some people prefer adding blinds or screens between the studs. These screened porches are good if you want to avoid the rain or the sun. If you have very young children then it is better to get gates or grills installed suitably. Hope you will get an idea on how to build a porch from the above steps.