Joe wrote:
On Feb 25, 5:52 am, wrote:
I live in a neighborhood of mostly Colonials (all built in 1948).
Most of them have this little roof thing-ee over the front door; I
think it's called a "portico."

Is there some kind of kit for such things? I looked at HD and Lowes,
and couldn't find anything. (At least not for the keyword "portico".)

Reason I want to get one, aside from the added convenience of rain
protection when one is fumbling for one's key, is that the sun really
heats up the front door. (Door faces W, or perhaps WSW.)

Built one from scratch last summer to replace one that carpenter ants
had lunched on for several years. It isn't rocket science or furniture
building but it takes some time. If you don't want anything quite as
elaborate as Smitty suggested (Those are really pretty!) then take a
photo of your house to an architect and have a simple set of plans
made. You may need plans for permits in some communities, Porticos can
be post supported at the outer corners, or for some house styles side
braces are used. There are so many options that it may be why kits are
rare. HTH

Joe

Joe

On speaking terms with the neighbors? Pick the house that looks most
like yours, and go measure up theirs. (Promise to change the gingerbread
trim a little, of course, so it doesn't look like a copy.)

Unless you want an enclosed portico with a second door, it is basically
just a small fancy porch roof. Hardest part will be tying it to the
existing house and flashing the joint to the house wall. Is you place
brick or siding? If brick, you will want flashing cut into a mortar
joint. If siding, the flashing needs to go up under 1 course or more of
siding. Don't think you need an architect (unless local permit rules
require that, like in most of New England)- any residential designer
could spec it out. Even if you DIY most of the work yourself, I'd hire
the roof and the flashing out, especially if you go with a metal roof
like many porticoes have.

An older boutique lumber yard is your best bet for finding the
gingerbread trim- the Borg usually only has a small selection, if any.
If you can find the faux lumber trim in the correct styles, it is worth
the extra money. Frilly trim is a PITA to keep scraping and painting.

One last note- make sure your porch is sturdy enough to hold up a roof.
If you need footers below where the columns go, that adds a layer of
complications and expense. If you tie into house wall with actual load
(and not just a couple lag bolts and the flashing on the roof), make
sure there is something solid in the wall to tie to.

--
aem sends...