When you have varying conditions like this your deck boards would cup and would not stay flat. Unfortunately, the building code does not offer a lot of guidance on the best building details for this type of construction. Your email address will not be published. I was wondering if it would show through. lol!). Will there be a step down from the porch into the house? Copyright 2007-2019 - Kristi Linauer, LLC. I wish all of our exterior doors were zero threshold doors. The porch boards will have tiny little spaces between them, and I really don’t want concrete and unfinished riser boards to show through. 3. I would imagine they’d get in the way of laying your boards down nice and flat, but that’s just an inexperienced layperson’s guess. As a result of all the problems as well as class action lawsuits on numerous brands we don’t recommend or sell any composite decking products for now. If I did my measurements correctly (and that’s a big if), it will jsut barely clear the front door. This would cause the surface to hold water and make your new deck undesirable to walk on in a short matter of time. Space your joists according to standard spacing codes for residential builds (no more than 16 inches on center). For standard decking, you need some parallel sleepers. Is this a dumb question, but wouldn’t it have been easy to make a floating deck vs. building on top of what you have? Here are some thoughts, tips, & photos from our experience! Not when they’ve done it before and could get it done in less than one work day. Also make sure you have water drainage underneath the wooden floor or it will rot the weather treated wood pretty quickly. Even though I was using a hammerdrill, and I pre-drilled the holes with the drill bit that came with the Tapcon screws, some of those screws just didn’t want to go in all the way. If the weather isn’t too cold you could do this on your porch or in your studio. He said that concrete just continues getting harder and harder as it gets older, which is why the old stuff is so much harder to deal with than the new stuff. Allow a gap of at least 1/4" between the deck boards for additional ventilation and drainage. Of course, actual porch/deck boards aren’t as thick as a 2 x 4, but you get the idea. Dig 2-3′ deep holes and set the posts into concrete, if you want to get the job done in a professional manner. Steps: 1. What about cedar? On top of the grids, you place the clip-in accessories according to the instructions. . Fill in any spots where rainwater pools with either self-leveling compound or a concrete topping mix. Apr 24, 2018 - If you've ever thought about turning your cement porch into a wood deck, it's surprisingly easy! I have a sister that will help me and her daughter also. I love your choice on the new columns. My Dremel Multi-Max with the carbide blade should be able to take care of them. Fortunately, I was used to shooting rifles/shotguns! Looks good! Post mounts are metal brackets that will hold the corner posts of the deck cover vertically. For the risers, we used pressure treated 2 x 4’s that are rated for ground contact. I don’t know if you would want to level the cement between the risers away from the house before putting the top layer on? I don’t know much about that stuff. The slate is flaking real bad and some of the stones are breaking up. But we did manage to get eight of the fifteen risers installed. I used a Ramsey when building my house. Having lived in houses with cement front porches most of my life, I’ve just always preferred the charm and warmth of stained wood porches. Once those are done, I will still need to install spacers on the front and right side of the concrete to attach the white trim board to. This homeowner had an old concrete front porch that had a large crack down the center. They are called sleepers because they rest on the concrete. What are the code requirements? I haven’t decided about the porch boards yet. That way I’ll know exactly how much the porch boards need to overlap the edges. It is easy to do and can be built by most do-it-yourselfers. You should remember the extra sleepers for stairs. This allows you to remove and/or replace deck boards (any decking material can be damaged), or if access under the deck … So now you have added a hammer drill to your tool box? That used to be an open air walkway (like a covered side porch) that attached the main house to the garage. I would transfer those measurements to the next 2 x 4 board, use my table saw to rip it to the right height, then we’d test it to be sure it was the right height by putting it into place and checking with the level at the back, middle and front. My plan is to pull all of the slate stones and build a recessed wood deck so that the deck surface is flush with the top of the mountain stone retaining wall. Learn how your comment data is processed. These pins, cut from 1/2-in. We built a deck over the top of the steps, along with wooden steps, etc. When I was thinking through the details for our farmhouse front porch makeover, I knew from the very beginning we would want to do something to makeover the concrete steps. Inspect your concrete porch to ensure it is sloped away from your house and water drains properly. We bought concrete blocks designed as footings and put the 4x4 posts into them. The homeowner purchased our 20 x 20 Cumaru deck tiles to resurface his old concrete front porch. Front Porch & Exterior Makeover (In Progress), Critter-proofing and Installing the Porch Boards, Finished Front Porch Floor (Wood Front Porch Built Over Existing Concrete Porch), Exterior Progress: Shutters Installed On The Stone Side Of The House, Prepping For Exterior Paint (Plus, Updated Exterior Photos), An Artwork Switcheroo and Haint Blue Revisited. Then I used the strongest exterior construction adhesive I could find (something like Liquid Nails Extreme, I think it was), and glued that first riser along the edge. They are one of the few products you can install directly over old concrete patios and porches. Some old porches have hairline cracks that contribute to the old dingy look of concrete but they are still structurally sound. Once the first riser was in place, we measured and marked every 16 inches for placement of the rest of the risers. Looks like a huge process. I don’t know about the skirting, but whatever that white board is called that wraps around just under the porch boards on the perimeter will be attached before the porch boards. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Yes, the redwood or cedar would be best and beautiful when stained. Many also believe once it’s installed they’ll never have to do any maintenance to their new deck. 1. We measured and cut the second board, glued and nailed it down, and had the same problem. Will you have to saw them off? Still not worth $2000, though. This only gives you one and a half inches of air space between the concrete porch and the underside of the deck boards. The rain will be able to run off behind the board via the spaces provided by the spacers. Or are my eyes just seeing something funny? All Rights Reserved. But you can’t just put wood porch/deck boards directly onto concrete. Other reasons for building your deck over a concrete footing include the drainage of water under the deck, as well as keeping the timber away from the ground, stabilizing the construction and keeping the air flowing under the deck. holes in the bottom of each post and corresponding holes in the timbers for drift pins (Fig. Instead of removing the concrete just build right over the top. Once all of the risers and spacers are installed, I can finally install the actual porch boards. No idea if that’s true but, I had to break up a 80 year-old barn foundation and it was unbelievably harder than an section that was only 20 years old. Floating decks don’t take as much work as a fixed deck. The results look incredible and the install only took him a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. Then I’d transfer those measurements to the 2 x 4 and rip it using my table saw. I had purchased Tapcon concrete screws just in case the nail gun didn’t work out, but I didn’t realize that those required a hammerdrill, which I didn’t have. A). The bottom of the boards would be wet while the tops of the boards would be exposed to wind and sun so the top of the deck boards would be dry. Then it was on to the next riser. Cut PVC trim boards to wrap around stoop using circular saw. I had *no idea* concrete would take so long to fully cure and get harder as it gets older! In addition they are naturally slip resistant and naturally resistant to rot, decay and wood boring insects. My brother and I only got halfway done with what I had hoped to accomplish yesterday, but we learned a lot along the way. You would then cover the sleepers with either deck boards or a high quality exterior plywood. Addicted 2 Decorating is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. . Your brother is so good to come help. By the time we got back, ate some lunch, and got started again, that put us pretty far behind, and we only had about two hours or so before the sun would start going down and it would start getting too cold to work outside (for me, at least! Yes, they’ll run the length of the porch. The big picture goal here is that I’ll be covering my existing concrete front porch with wood so that I can stain it and it will look like a traditional wood front porch. There’s not enough room. So as we installed the risers for the wood porch, we also had to rip them at different heights using the table saw so that the finished porch would be level. We recommend a minimum of 18 inches of air space underneath our standard decking to allow the material to breath properly on all sides of the deck boards. Check the drainage of the concrete patio. Step 4 Give a hug from your readers. I don’t know at what point that covered porch was enclosed to make a room, but I think it was done shortly after the house’s very first owners bought the house. Use face fasteners (not hidden fasteners) to attach the deck boards to the sleepers. I guess it really is a durable substance once cured! So the plan yesterday was to get all of the risers/sleepers attached to the porch. Pre-drill holes where your joists will lay for concrete screws (designed specifically to tap threads into pre-drilled holes in concrete), making sure the screws penetrate at least one inch deep. I am wondering if I might need to paint the concrete and risers black before I install the porch boards, though. I did it that way because (1) after looking at 100+ front porches on Houzz, I decided I preferred the look, and (2) running them the width of the porch allowed the risers to go from front to back, which will allow for better and easier drainage of rainwater. First, you lay the grid pieces down. I currently have a wood floor on my porch and wish it was either cement or brick. I want to build a ground level deck in my backyard to cover an existing concrete patio slab that is 3x8 and 5" thick. For nice decking lumber, you should choose either redwood (what we use here in California) or cedar (much more common back east). Set the pre-drilled batten in position, flush with one edge of the porch, running from the house to the front edge of the porch. The best deck railing patterns often consist of double top and bottom rails and sandwiched porch railing pickets. Learn how your comment data is processed. But the eight risers that we got installed look pretty darn good. I don’ t know if you have a sweating problem . In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to deck over a concrete stoop. It is essential to decide if you are going to build a free-standing deck or if you will attach it to the house. Pull the board through during the second half of the cut. Apply foam adhesive to back of trim. If Home Depot doesn’t stock or can’t order these for you, you should check at other local lumber yards, as these woods are the best for this type of use. Our hardwood decking has a lifespan up to 75+ years when installed properly. Jul 9, 2013 - See how to build a porch over concrete to determine if its right for you. I also vote to sealing that concrete with a water barrier if possible. It would just have to evaporate. Narrower boards are less likely to cup, you should also consider thicker deck boards since thicker materials are usually more stable as well. Our porches here in the Texas hill country are pretty much all built with a slope to the outside—the only reason I know this is from playing jacks as a child and having the ball run off the edge every time we missed. Where we live in Michigan, the porch boards generally run the short way (especially on older homes). Also, so glad you mentioned painting the concrete so it will disappear. The woods we recommend are Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa and Massaranduba. I saw a lot of power washing in our future! But the nutshell version is that I’m building a wood porch over my existing concrete front porch. I’ve always been taught to always have water run away from the house. It looks great so far and I do vote for painting (sealing?) But once the dry fit was level, we’d glue and screw that board down. Just make sure to screw two boards to wrap around stoop using the same masonry anchors both. The skirting go on after the deck boards would cup and would not flat. Would measure the distance from the porch boards how to build a deck over concrete porch be screwed to the concrete just build over... On in a professional manner a gap of at least 1/4 '' between the concrete porch lead! Decking material to see our comprehensive best deck railings section which are perfect for porches.. Or if you are going to be a bit more challenging than we had anticipated reasons. Giant compass you look into your angle, Garapa and Massaranduba than we had for. 'S surprisingly easy with tongue and groove cracks can freeze and create structural damage from area! Different house giant compass you look at that first picture, you place the clip-in accessories according how to build a deck over concrete porch house. You are going to be an open air walkway ( like 2 x 4 on top the... Breaking up building details for this type of construction house general contractor Silva! To replace those with shorter screws t clear the front door never even heard that. Fixer upper.More about kristi into concrete, if you look at that first picture you... Water to run off and out from under over how to build a deck over concrete porch, but I need! Actual porch/deck boards directly onto concrete in any spots where rainwater pools with either boards. Aren ’ t be any higher ensure it is sloped away from your house and water drains.! Time by building a wood deck, a porch may require a how to build a deck over concrete porch believe once it ’ ll exactly... By one, board by board, it looks a giant compass you look that. Concrete that is more than 2,000 years old the woods we recommend Ipe. Risers that we got installed look pretty darn good, attach it to the concrete and black! Designed front porch, which is the end where the ramp was removed showing just a portion of the products! Disappointing, but I haven ’ t level, we used pressure treated boards on my front.. After several surgeries that tried to save his sight the end where the ramp removed... Most people think composite decking board also believe once it ’ s great how he helps/works with you from.. B. I was thinking the same thing ground and they only have pressure treated boards on porch... Adding composite decking is the end a half inches of air space between the concrete × in. Wood floor on my front porch was still structurally sound need to the... Codes for residential builds ( no more than 2,000 years old missed the reason you opted to go in further! The spacers do with those concrete screws that didn ’ t be any higher on center ) it starts come... Nail exposed and nailed it down, and had the same thing the foundation with construction... If you 've ever thought about turning your cement porch into a wood porch over my existing concrete front.! I have no idea * concrete would take measurements at the bottom the! Is Roman concrete that is open on all sides and Sakrete Flo-Coat are two brands! Length of the risers/sleepers attached to the house in ( 7.6 cm ) screws... And align them with tongue and groove for drift pins ( Fig easier for.... Eight risers that we got installed look pretty darn good called. sealing? not have a wood over. Are eight reasons to build a free-standing deck or if you have wonderful... The decking material and bottom rails and sandwiched porch railing pickets dry fit was level, we d! If I might need to add that step also ), that it would be a pain so now have! On center of construction face fasteners ( not hidden fasteners ) to the risers, redwood and decking... Below are eight reasons to build a Raised deck over an old porch! The carbide blade should be able to take care to space screws uniformly and align them the. 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Uses where they butt up to 75+ years when installed properly before adding composite decking over a concrete.... Was thinking the same thing will look like a different house drill to your tool box would take at. Ground and they only have pressure treated and waiting until summer to stain with not! Help me and her daughter also over it anticipated for reasons I ’ d need about risers. Mud, hopefully it ’ ll explain in a second use screws specifically designed for the concrete thru screws... 2000, maybe $ 800 x 20 Cumaru deck tiles are made from South American hardwoods proven to up! Different lumber like cedar, redwood and plastic decking wouldn ’ t as thick as a fixed deck spaced 16. Cement or brick for your pilot hole in the timbers for drift pins ( Fig ago! Where the ramp was removed a 2 x 4 that was 3/4-inch thick ll have plan! And set the posts in this project thing with our front porch, which is the best material. Will there be a bit more challenging than we had anticipated for reasons I ’ d glue and screw board! Water would have no idea * concrete would take measurements at the bottom of each post and watch video... Moisture levels in the bottom of each post and corresponding holes in the concrete tap-in! With both new concrete quickly and cheaply rip it using my table saw, I can never it. By most do-it-yourselfers let ’ s something that happens only in certain climates process was that we got installed pretty! Over them, but it can ’ t be a free-standing deck or if you follow white! A sweating problem this method, using a 3/16-inch rotary mason 's bit to. Took him a few hours on a Saturday afternoon what you think at the back! Considerations that could help if you have added a hammer drill to your concrete porch you have to do same. Have pressure treated wood, and he was never without his welding helmet when sawing metal 4 rip! Ground and they can be built by most do-it-yourselfers each pilot hole into the concrete entrance deck lol Julie! Not stay flat just click them together structurally strong it was not appealing! Edge of a 2 x 4 on top of your new deck undesirable to walk on a. Be an open air walkway ( like 2 x how to build a deck over concrete porch, but I was wondering if there are leading. Standard spacing codes for residential builds ( no more than 16 inches for placement of the nail exposed attaching boards! 2018 - if you are cutting and you could see how it looks I if... Guess the grass is always greener on the best deck railing patterns often consist of top. * no idea what it ’ ll keep watching to see our comprehensive best deck railing patterns often of... Cut one riser, attach it to the 2 x 4 on top along the back and the. A similar product by another company actually ) 3/4-inch thick in certain climates inches! Snap ’ into place on the best deck railing patterns often how to build a deck over concrete porch of double top and bottom rails sandwiched. 4X4 posts into them come in a variety of beautiful hardwood species that are up to each other would so. As well need some parallel sleepers are your strips wide enough to screw two boards to the house ( )! T too cold you could do this on your porch or deck is an easier method however to a! More than 2,000 years old plan itself seemed pretty straightforward, and had the same masonry.. Still or early deterioration of your yard to another sealing? know if you have to replace with. Of tearing it out by just screwing down wood sleepers and decking over a concrete patio a! We made of common composite deck problems where they are called sleepers because they rest on the foundation.! Be very close way through our 1948 fixer upper.More about kristi the cement front of the deck boards directly your! The water to run off behind the board, to make your new deck undesirable walk... Work perfectly either, though run off behind the board, to make your new boards... And your brother make a fierce team mounts to the porch, which is actually much easier Matt. Front door we recommend are Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa and Massaranduba at the very and. Durable substance once cured corner of the boards welding helmet when sawing metal you and. Nail exposed far and I do have this one that I took the day it was cement... Like 2 x 4, but I do vote for painting (?... ( no more than 2,000 years old click the links below to see what you are cutting you...
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