The roof is starting to sag on the front porch of my home. I would like to replace/refurbish the porch but am not sure how to support the roof while doing so. Would also like to make it into a 3 season porch. Where to start?How to replace front porch on an older home?First prop the roof to what it would have been before the sagging, then start dismantling the porch but only what檚 rotten it檚 an old house there檚 really no use in building a Mickey Mouse porch just make what you have good! It might be useful if you take pictures as you do this as a guide when you go to rebuild it.How to replace front porch on an older home?Simple. Pour some founding. These are high density, foam insulated, cement foundation units.
Use the form. Dig approximately 3-4 feet below ground level (lower than any frost/freeze level), set the unit (for pour while carefully leveling it) and complete (As a personal note, I always use 5,000 lb a sq ft concrete for this operation). I know it is a little much, but I am always sure of its capability, and it costs no more (or similar too) other similar pours or available bags.
Remember, that when it sets, any block or beam security unit you wish to use needs to be set at this time as well (i.e those pesky metal units used to secure beams to a foundation). Set the unit though, and not the beam.
Give it 48-72 hours and you'll have a safe unit to anchor your new porch an structure to. Build up only after you have safe installed the sub-structure.
Set the beams, level, and go to town.How to replace front porch on an older home?Sounds like you should stop worrying about supporting the roof and just tear it down along with the rest of the porch. Odds are, if it's an old porch on an old house, things aren't square or anywhere near code in the roof or the walls, and if you're wanting a 3 season room then this is your opportunity to start over and do it right. Don't know how large this porch would be, but be sure to add a few recepts for lights, and at least one outside recept, for weed whackers, etc. Sink your posts, once you have your design and measurements, use treated lumber anywhere near the ground, insulate and wire. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours.
