Samantha’s Two-Storey Porch

We did some renovations for Samantha a couple years back and she’s since been eager to have her 2-storey porch re-done. Drawings were done and have been signed-off by the city.

Deck ‘before’.

Day 1: We started demolishing the old porch — very carefully as there were concerns about the structural soundness.

Day 1: Demolishing the old porch. The ridge beam should be a substantial piece of lumber. NOT this piece of tongue and groove siding.

Day 1: Demolishing the old porch. Roof beams chewed to the size of a toonie.

Day 1 (con’t): Given the structural state of the porch, Samantha (the home owner) and I are working with the City of Ottawa and the designer that did the drawings to alter some of the plans. The hope had been to salvage part of the existing structure, but that won’t be possible.

… and we waited for new drawings…

Day 2: One week later, there are new drawings plus a covered walkway to exit the house. We’re also proceeding with demolition using a skyjack because the porch structure isn’t stable enough to take apart from below.

Don and I might look like tough guys, but there’s a hornet nest in the porch structure and we squeal like children every time a hornet flies by.

Build stuff by day, crème brûlée by night.

Day 3: Demolition continues.

Day 3: Today’s question: what is holding this roof up under the tiles? And, who puts tiles on a wood porch?

End of day 3: Porch entirely removed except some lower portions.

This Martini bottle was under the deck. Helps us understand why someone put a full inch of concrete and tile over a wood deck.

Day 6: End of demolition. The brick piers are gone and we get to see what was holding everything up. Answer? These stones 3″ into the dirt. No footings at all.

Day 6: Demolition complete, footing holes dug, awaiting City inspection.

Update July 31: Once the porch was gone, it revealed a 100+ year old stone foundation in desperate need of repair. Samantha is working with a historical mason and then we’ll be resuming work on the porch.

That’s sunlight shining through the foundation. Not good.

Update August 20: The historical mason has completed several weeks of work (he had originally estimated two days) and we have resumed building the porch.

Day 7: Four footings and two triple (2 x 10) beams.

Day 8: Second level is now attached to the house. Oh, and it’s really, really hot today. Already 32°C at 11 a.m.

Day 9: Framing for the second storey is complete and we’re starting on the roof. The next City inspection is once the framing is complete.

Day 10: 2nd storey framing complete and 3/4 of the roof built. Cedar posts with temporary handrails installed top and bottom. Almost looks like a porch again 🙂 We expect the City inspector on Monday afternoon.

Day 11: Our work passed the City of Ottawa inspection with flying colours. The inspector even said, “really great”.

Day 12: Built stairs and laid deck boards on the first level. I completely admit to inhaling the cedar fragrance as we cut it. Smells amazing. You may remember those three stones were the ‘footings’ supporting the previous porch. Samantha will be using those stones in the new landscaping plan.

Day 13: With deck boards laid on the second storey, along with railings, we’re making massive progress and it’s now a usable porch.

Day 14: Upper and lower decking and handrail done. Areas with pressure treated lumber are being clad in cedar.

The final porch ‘after’ picture at Samantha’s. She’s thrilled! She’s got some brick and landscaping work still ahead.