The porch is a functionally significant element of the architectural ensemble of a country house, which, in addition to its practical purpose, performs an aesthetic function, emphasizing the beauty of the entire building. Acting as the front part of the building, the porch of a private house can tell a lot about its owner: about his tastes, attitude to his site, material wealth. That is why many of us try to design the facade of the house so that it stands out favorably against the background of others. And even if at the construction stage the owner does not have the opportunity to attach a beautiful wooden porch to the house, he can always realize what he wants after a while.
The porch of a wooden house is an extension in front of the entrance to the building, which serves as a transition from ground level to floor level.
Since the difference in height between the ground and the floor often reaches from 50 to 200 and even more centimeters, the porch is equipped with a staircase laid out from the steps
The practical function of the porch also lies in the fact that the wooden extension is designed to protect the front entrance of the house from snow and rain. Therefore, the area adjacent to the entrance door is also equipped with a canopy. Depending on the shape and purpose, the porch may have one of the design options, we will consider some of them.
Option # 1 - open area on the steps
A compact platform with adjoining steps acts as an excellent addition to the architectural ensemble of a one- and two-storey wooden house of small size
Option # 2 - a site with partially closed walls
When arranging a porch located on a small elevation, low fences perform a protective function, protecting against falls and possible injuries.
On the porch, the height of which does not exceed half a meter, such railings and partially closed walls act rather as a decorative design.
Option # 3 - closed porch
Owners of country houses most often equip a glazed porch if they have the opportunity to build a more spacious area in front of the entrance.
The space of such a porch - a veranda furnished with comfortable garden furniture, allows you to receive guests and enjoy a pleasant stay in the fresh air
Self-construction of a wooden porch
Before starting the construction of the porch to the house, it is important to determine not only the size of the structure, but also to think over the presence of steps, the height of the handrails and the general appearance of the porch.
A detailed project of the future structure or at least a drawing of the porch will allow you to visually form the idea and calculate the required amount of material
When designing a structure, a number of points should be considered:
- The width of the porch area must be at least one and a half times the width of the front door. The porch is located on the same level with the first floor of the building. In this case, a margin of 5 cm from the level of the porch platform for the front door should be provided. This will allow in the future to avoid difficulties in the event of deformation of the surface of the wooden platform under the influence of moisture when opening the front door. Indeed, according to fire safety requirements, the front door should only open outward.
- The number of steps is calculated with a reference point so that when ascending, a person steps onto the porch site leading to the front door with the same foot with which he began to move. When arranging a porch in a country house, three, five and seven steps are usually made. The optimal size of the steps: a height of 15-20 cm, and a depth of 30 cm.
- Wooden steps leading to the porch should be placed at a slight slope of several degrees. This will prevent puddles from stagnating after rain or melting ice in the cold season.
- It is advisable to provide for the arrangement of a canopy that protects the front entrance from precipitation. The presence of fences and railings will facilitate the ascent and descent of the stairs, which is especially important in winter, when the surface is covered with a crust of ice. From the point of view of ergonomics, the height of the railings most comfortable for a person is 80-100 cm.
- When building a porch, it should also be borne in mind that when attaching an extension to a monolithic building, it is highly undesirable to connect building structures "tightly". This is due to the fact that the house and the porch, having different weights, create different shrinkage. This can cause cracks and deformations in the joints.
Stage # 2 - preparation of materials and erection of the foundation
To make a wooden porch, you will need materials:
- A beam with a section of 100x200 mm for the installation of support pillars;
- Boards with a thickness of 30 mm for arranging the site and steps;
- Slats with a section of 50 mm for side posts and handrails;
- Antiseptics for wood surface treatment;
- Cement mortar.
From construction tools you should prepare:
- Saw or jigsaw;
- Hammer;
- Level;
- Screwdriver;
- Fastening materials (nails, screws);
- Shovel.
The construction of any building structure begins with laying the foundation.
The best option for laying a reliable and durable support for the construction of a wooden porch to the house is the construction of a pile foundation
Unlike traditional concrete types of foundations, pile foundations do not require large financial costs for construction. In addition, it is quite easy to install: any owner with basic construction skills can build a pile foundation.
Wooden beams intended for supports should be treated before installation. This prevents wood rotting and extends the life of the supporting structure. In the places where the supports are installed, we dig holes 80 cm deep, the bottom of which is lined with a sand and gravel "pillow".
Having leveled the base, we install the support pillars vertically, align them in level, check the height, and only then fill it with cement mortar
The height of the piles should be calculated taking into account the fact that even after the platform has laid down on them, the distance to the door remains at least 5 cm.
Filling the vertically installed support pillars with cement mortar, wait for it to dry completely. Only after that we fix the extreme row of support posts to the wall of the house using self-tapping screws. This will significantly increase the strength of the structure. The lags are laid horizontally directly on the support pillars.
Stage # 3 - making a stringer and installing steps
To arrange a flight of stairs, you will need to make a special inclined board - a stringer or bowstring.
The staircase can have two design options: with embedded steps or with cut out ledges
With the help of a special triangular pattern, we make recesses for the bowstring. You can make such a template yourself by cutting out a blank from thick cardboard. One of the sides of the pattern corresponds to the horizontal part of the future steps - treads, and the second to the vertical - the riser. The number of steps depends on the size of the porch area and the expected load that they will have to withstand.
Having calculated the required number and size of steps, we mark the profile of the future bowstring on the board. As a basis for making a bowstring, it is better to use unedged lumber, which is an order of magnitude wider than ordinary edged boards.
To secure the lower part of the bowstring, it is necessary to fill in a concrete support platform. To protect the lower step from steam rising from the ground, it is advisable to cover the vapor barrier with a top layer.
At this stage of construction, it is also necessary to provide for a "pillow" device to remove excess moisture.
Having filled the support platform with cement mortar, we wait until the base is completely dry and only after that we proceed to the installation of the bowstring. We fix them on the supports using screws or nails. The distance between the bowstrings should not exceed one and a half meters.
Stage # 4 - assembling a wooden structure
Ready-made kosoura by filing, or using the "thorn-groove" method, we attach to the lags of the site. To do this, we fix the boards with grooves to the areal beam so that subsequently the thorns of the bowstrings are inserted into the grooves of the board.
After that, we proceed to the installation of the wooden floor of the site. When laying boards, it is advisable to fit them together as tightly as possible. This will allow in the future to avoid the formation of large gaps in the process of wood drying.
The final stage in the assembly of a wooden porch is the installation of steps and risers
We begin laying from the bottom step, performing fastening using the “thorn-groove” method and additionally fixing them with self-tapping screws. First, we attach the riser, and then the tread on it.
The porch is almost complete. It remains only to make the railing and equip the shed. To give the structure a more attractive and complete look, it is enough to cover the surface with varnish or paint.
Videos with examples of porch devices
The porch is an indispensable element of the entrance of the building and its business card. The desire to decorate their own home, taking into account fashion trends and personal taste preferences, is inherent in almost everyone. The design of the porch of a private house should emphasize the integrity of the entire structure and make it more attractive. There are many design options for the entrance of the building, so we suggest you consider the most popular and interesting ones.
Porch made of wood
The most popular option is the installation of wooden flooring on the porch. In most cases, such structures are made from pine wood, as the most inexpensive and popular natural raw material. If the porch is properly sealed, varnished and painted, then it will look attractive for many years.
This is a trendy way to decorate a country-style facade. This can be complemented by a wood-based porch decor to add a country cottage atmosphere. The tree can be supplemented with stone, which is relevant not only for country style. In suburban private buildings, these two materials look quite harmonious together and are suitable for finishing platforms, doors and use as decor.
Concrete porch
Concrete is considered a versatile material that is inexpensive and reliable, and is also optimal for the manufacture of a porch. This is a monolithic structure that does not begin to stagger over time, which is sometimes inherent in wooden products. Plus, it can be easily repaired and decorated with any decor. Do not forget that a concrete porch can be of different shapes, which will not particularly affect the price and the amount of time to complete the task.
Concrete structures can be decorated with tiles, for example, clinker tiles. There are options, finished with stone, and also painted with paint, and processed with other materials. In modern buildings with timber, brick or siding facades, the concrete porch can be left uncovered. This allows you to emphasize the features of the texture of the walls and their colors.
Brick porch
A brick porch is a more expensive option compared to the previous ones, but it also looks attractive and is considered a fairly reliable solution for decorating a house. The installation of the structure may take more time and require serious effort, but in the future the work applied will pay off with interest, since it does not require additional maintenance.
Often, a brick porch has a concrete base or step covering based on other materials. There are also options for laying tiles on the steps. It looks like a home, inspires confidence and adds reliability to the building. But be careful, as any step cover you choose should not be slippery, otherwise the area will become potentially dangerous in the cold season due to snow and ice.
Porch made of stone
Natural stone is considered a classic option. Such raw materials are distinguished by durability of operation, presentability and strength, which is especially important. There are many types of stone, with some suitable for the base, and a number of others for creating decorative elements (and the raw materials for making the base will cost much more). Although, in general, all types of stone are able to withstand adverse weather conditions and will not require additional maintenance for a long time.
If the building is made of stone, then you can fit a porch with columns into the overall structure. Natural stone can be combined with monumental elements. Such a composition will look harmonious.
Metal and wrought iron porch
Usually, if we talk about a forged or metal porch, they mean decorative parts of the structure - awnings, railings, steps, which are made on the basis of metal. But sometimes a completely metal porch is also installed in a private house.
The main advantage that such structures have is increased strength and durability. However, you will have to constantly paint and treat your porch to keep it from deteriorating due to corrosion. Moreover, the metal floor will be cold enough, so it will not be suitable for arranging a terrace. The latter option requires a concrete base or wood planking on a metal base.
Porch with a canopy
In most cases, awnings, as it were, continue the roof and, together with the porch, perform an important function of protection from the effects of precipitation and solar radiation. This is an excellent option for arranging a comfortable entrance to the building.
If the building has architectural features that will prevent the installation of a canopy over the main entrance, even if it is small, replace it with a canopy. Such a detail will not only partially perform the functions of a canopy, but will also be able to diversify the appearance of the building, and if you choose the product correctly or make it in an original way, it will become a real decoration of the exterior.
Even a small visor can make the entrance to a private house more presentable. The shade from it will be able to protect from the sun, as well as save from streams of water in the rain, if you open doors or wait for the car.
Porch with steps and railings
If the house has a high foundation and steps can be installed that will lead to the main entrance, the installation of the railings will be relevant. Such a structure will make the exterior of the building appear safer and more stable, and will also perform a very specific function and help residents and visitors enter the house in bad weather.
This is a traditional way of decorating the entrance to a building. It can be combined with a canopy or visor, as well as decorated with various designs in addition to make the composition look complete.
The porch and staircase at the entrance to the cottage are integral elements of any country house. Moreover, the correct arrangement of the entrance zone significantly affects the general perception of the "picture" of the structure. With all the beauty of the facade and roofing, the “wrong” entrance to the house will destroy all harmony and will look like an alien element. When erecting an entrance group, special requirements are imposed on its design and the choice of materials. After all, the porch and the outer staircase are exposed to the increased influence of adverse weather events.
No homeowner wants to do the annual renovation of a porch that has left the house, or climb an uncomfortable staircase with tiles flying off the steps. Therefore, in this article, based on the practical experience of FORUMHOUSE users, we will answer the following questions:
- How to avoid mistakes when building a foundation under a porch.
- How to repair a crumbling porch and is it worth doing.
- How to calculate the optimal porch width.
- How to make a comfortable entrance staircase.
- How to make a beautiful porch from burnt timber.
Foundation: mistakes and solutions
The most important mistake of any novice developer when building a porch is to treat the choice of the type of foundation as something simple and frivolous, guided by the principle "and so it will do." As a result, the entrance area turns into a real headache. It is worth going through lingering downpours, or spring, as in the villages you can observe the following picture - homeowners start repairs.
Depending on the severity and neglect of the "disease", the treatment is either cosmetic procedures - patching up cracks, gluing "shot" tiles, or more serious "operations". A porch that has "left" or sagged away from home will be jacked up, dismantled with a problem foundation and puzzled over how to make sure that this does not happen again in the future.
An improperly made porch can pull along the facade finish, the roof (if the supports of the rafter system rest on it), lead to deformation of the roofing, etc. Conclusion: do everything right at once, even at the stage of building a house, and not hope for a chance.
Potainoi FORUMHOUSE Member
I conceived the construction of a small cottage from aerated concrete. The foundation has already been poured - an ordinary tape 1.2 m high, without a porch, because at first, the foundation was erected for another project. Now I am thinking how to "tie" an open porch to the house and avoid mistakes. The problem is that a part of the roof will rest on the porch, through the pillars - the so-called. "cuckoo".
We add that the soil at the user's site is as follows:
- black soil - 0.7 m;
- then loam - 0.3 m;
- further clay - 1-1.3 m.
Moreover, the clay is of such density that, according to the words Potainoi, only chop it with an ax. The groundwater level is low. Over the past few winters, the soil has frozen by no more than 0.6 m, although the real depth of freezing in the area of residence is greater. Important: when calculating the depth of the foundation, it is necessary to rely on the tabular data of the climatic zone (the depth of freezing of the soil in a harsh and little snow winter, which can happen once every 15-20 years). Based on these numbers, the user suggested discussing the following solutions for the construction of the foundation on the portal:
- Dig a trench and fill the strip foundation under the entrance group to the depth of freezing.
- Pour concrete piles with a "heel" below the freezing depth and support the "cuckoo" on these pillars.
- Tighten the screw piles.
- Lean the "cuckoo" on the diagonal beams, resting them against the wall or the basement, and "untie" the porch from the roof and the house.
The following tips followed.
Rojer40 FORUMHOUSE Member
I would pour the foundation under the porch to the same depth as the main one, and tie them together in a series of expansion joints, which will give them some movement. I faced a similar problem a few years ago - a columnar foundation (poured below the freezing depth), along with the porch, "left" the house, and the common roof was torn.
A separate foundation, poured below the freezing depth, is not a panacea for porch construction. After all. it is acted upon by the tangential forces of frost heaving, which cannot be balanced by the load / weight from the overlying lightweight structure.
The foundation under the porch (as well as under the house) must be calculated based on the type of soil, its bearing capacity, susceptibility to heaving and the water table. Therefore, ideally this the foundation is erected as a single / common structure with the main foundation for the house... Or if its construction was left "for later", the foundation under the porch must be "untied" with a foundation for a cottage.
In the above case, the matter was complicated by the fact that the porch takes on the load from the rafter system. With some movement of the untied foundations, the roof may break.
Vit1959 Moderator FORUMHOUSE
Two different foundations will live their own lives. How much different is hard to say. What will happen to them and the roof of the house cannot be guaranteed. I think Potainoi better do the cuckoo on outrigger cantilever beams (the subsequent beam is longer than the previous one), so that the roof is on its own, and the foundation of the porch is on its own.
Potainoi
I will think about how to make outriggers. You just need to calculate all the attachment points and figure out the design.
The foundation under the porch should be considered as a complex, as a single system that works in conjunction with the house.
Repair or break
Sometimes a problem porch can be inherited. And then the homeowner, in addition to the purchased house, receives a "time bomb", which entails a number of problems. This is exactly the situation faced by the user of the portal with the nickname dvauha2, when I bought a finished cottage.
dvauha2 FORUMHOUSE Member
I bought a house. The cottage has an open stone porch without a canopy. It is not related to the foundation of the house. The problem is that it is gradually deteriorating. Water flows into the foam seam between the porch and the house and runs under the foundation. The top step is falling apart. Now I am limited in finances, and I would not like to engage in cardinal alterations. I am thinking of making a visor so that water does not fall on the problem node, and seal the gap. Or the miser pays twice, and you have to demolish everything and build the porch again?
Portal users actively participated in the discussion of the situation and suggested different ways out. Member of the portal with a nickname Detonator, according to him, faced a similar problem. The porch of his house did not have a canopy. Over time, the wooden railings have rotted away. Then the tiles flew off the steps. They did not redo the foundation. They erected a visor and repaired the steps.
Two years later, two lower steps left the porch. Then they decided to apply a radical "treatment" of the foundation - a steel tie was laid from below on both sides (a channel or corner, screwing it to concrete, the alteration took place without participation Detonator) and tiled everything.
Detonator FORUMHOUSE Member
The winter passed without problems, let's see what happens next.
It is cheaper to make a normal porch right away than to engage in costly alterations.
Back in the situation dvauha2. On the advice of users, he slightly disassembled the porch from above from one corner in order to understand its construct. It turned out the following: under the screed - the upper part of the slab, filled with uncombined sand, which gradually pours into the gap between the porch and the house.
The lower part of the step is covered with asphalt crumbs and is now a monolithic base for the second step.
There is no insulated blind area. As a result, the porch "walks" and the gap widens.
dvauha2
I am racking my brains on how to properly pair the house and the porch, and how best to seal this gap.
Dgusepe Moderator FORUMHOUSE
I think the gap is not foamy, tk. any filling can work like a wedge, and when the soil heaves, the porch will "float away" again. The gap can be simply closed with a decorative strip.
As a result dvauha2 decided not to constantly repair the problem porch, but to demolish it and rebuild a high-quality one. Moreover, it turned out that the bricks at the steps were cracked, and the sand that was poured inside the entire structure was not rammed at all. Sand under the “tambour” slab is also not compacted, and after the structure was broken, it began to pour out, and the slab eventually hangs in the air.
dvauha2
So far I have made a temporary staircase to the house from a board with a section of 5x15 cm. I decided - I will make a normal porch with a small vestibule.
How to calculate the entrance staircase, the optimal width of the porch and avoid "shooting" decorative tiles
When erecting an open porch, it should be remembered that even with a visor, it is still subject to the negative effects of snow, rain and wind. This accelerates its wear. Therefore, when choosing materials for construction, you need to give preference to those that have a long service life. But sometimes, choosing high-quality ceramic tiles or stone for facing steps and a platform, the developer encounters an unpleasant phenomenon - the so-called. "Shooting". Tiles are constantly falling off or cracking.
Most often, bad glue, weather, finishers, etc. are blamed for this, forgetting about one possible reason. The following happens - a porch and a staircase are being erected (we are talking about a stone porch and a concrete staircase). Tiles are glued on the steps, but because the builders "forgot" to make waterproofing, which will cut off the wet soil from the concrete base; moisture coming from the ground gradually saturates the concrete. Because ceramic tiles are vapor and waterproof, moisture has nowhere to go. It accumulates at the base-tile border. At negative temperatures, the water freezes, increases in volume, and the topcoat flies off the base.
To prevent this from happening, at the border - a prepared and compacted base - a concrete porch / staircase, a reliable waterproofing is made.
In addition to a competent construct, do not forget about the convenience of its use. One of the most common questions: what size to make the entrance area. The depth can be calculated by multiplying the door width by 1.5. With a door leaf width of 1 meter the depth of the site must be at least 1.5 m.
This principle will avoid the situation when, when the door is open, standing on the upper platform, a person, in order to enter the house, is forced to go down one step. If you save on the size of the site and its depth, then it becomes much more difficult to lift bulky items into the house - furniture, engineering equipment. Even bringing in a couple of bulk bags from the grocery store will become uncomfortable. The platform itself can be square with equal sides. With a door width of 1 meter, the upper platform is 1.5x1.5 m.
Moreover, the height of the porch is calculated in such a way that the top of the platform is about 5 cm below the door sill. So snow and water will not get into the house. To build a comfortable entrance staircase, as a guide, you can be guided by the following principles:
- Immediately we estimate how many sides the staircase goes to - one, two or three.
- The optimal angle of inclination (rise) of the stairs is maintained within 30-45 degrees. It is difficult to climb stairs with an inclination of more than 45 degrees. A staircase with an angle of inclination of less than 30 degrees is flat and requires more space.
- The width of the tread is within 25-30 cm. The height of the step rise is 15-20 cm.
Practice shows that the optimal comfortable step rise height is within 15-17 cm. The tread width is about 30 cm. The step out is no more than 3 cm.
It is better if the number of steps is odd, because it is more convenient to start and end climbing stairs with one and the same foot. The number of steps can be calculated by dividing the estimated structure height by the step height. Knowing the estimated number of steps and the width of the tread, you can calculate the length of the flight of stairs.
Porch and staircase made of burnt timber
At the end of the article, we will give an example of a creative approach to arranging a beautiful open porch and stairs, which were erected from burnt deciduous timber Green0568.
A timber with a section of 20x15 cm was used for the manufacture of the entrance group.
The timber is fastened together with wood grouses on polyurethane glue. Through one capercaillie dowels are hammered. There is a jack under the fourth step in the middle, two jacks under the third, which are indented along the edges.
Summarizing
In order to obtain a high-quality result during the construction of a porch and an entrance staircase, knowledge and practical experience are required. The entrance area can be as simple - made of boards or welded from corners and channels, and more complex - stone - with a monolithic staircase and forged elements. But it all starts with calculating and comparing different options.
You can get ideas for construction, ask a question of interest or find the optimal construct on our portal. There are dozens of options for arranging the entrance area at FORUMHOUSE. Read, and. We also recommend articles about and. In the video - an extension of a wooden two-story porch and a balcony to a log house.
Almost no country house can do without a porch. This structural element of the building can be made of a wide variety of materials. However, the most popular, due to the ease of construction, can be considered wooden staircase options.
There are also several varieties of such porches. Installation of some of them requires experience. Others are collected in an elementary way. In this article, we'll talk about how to make a wooden porch with your own hands and what such structures are in general.
Types of wooden porches
Wooden stairs can be made from logs, beams, or knocked down from planks. They differ both in construction and design. This can be confirmed by these pictures with different options for porches:
Manufacturing material
Log ladders are usually attached to log houses and saunas. This option is difficult to manufacture and is quite expensive. However, this is also the most solid type of wooden stairs. It is somewhat easier to make a construction from a bar. If a chopped wooden porch is rather a tradition of our country, then a cobbled version is more typical for Western construction.
Solid log porch. Photo of the simplest design
The third type of wooden porches is plank, the most common. The popularity of this type of structure is primarily due to the ease of assembly and low cost. But a porch made of boards will not last as long as a log or cobbled one.
Wooden porch of a private house. Photo of a plank structure
What wood can be used
For the manufacture of a porch in the country, a wide variety of wood can be used. Low-cost designs are made of pine, birch or spruce. More solid varieties can be harvested from larch, cedar or oak.
Design features
By design features, there are only three main types of wooden doors - built-in, attached and simplified. A built-in porch is most often made of timber. With your own hands, such a structure can be erected exclusively at the stage of construction of the village house itself. Chopped staircase options are also built-in. The attached porch is attached to the wall at a later date.
Advice: With a lack of experience in working with wood for construction with your own hands, it is better to choose the third option - a simple staircase, which is an ordinary platform near a house with several steps.
Types of the porch of a wooden house. Photo of the attached and simplified version
The attached wooden staircase, like the built-in one, always has a baluster railings and a canopy. In some houses, you can see a porch covered by a permanent extension or combined with a veranda.
Varieties of designs
The design of stairs near the house is very diverse. You can build, for example, a beautiful carved wooden porch. Varnish or paint is also often used to decorate wood.
Beautiful wooden carved stairs
It is interesting: In our country, steps, railings and other structural elements of the porch usually have a monochromatic design. In the West, porches are often decorated in two different shades.The canopy of a wooden porch is sometimes made in a semicircle or is gable, straight beveled, or has a complex shape. Railings and balusters often perform not only a purely practical function, but also serve as a stylish decoration for the entire structure. In general, finishing the porch of a private house is a creative procedure and provides a lot of opportunities for realizing the design fantasies of its owners.
Wooden porch. Photo of a wide radial visor
Self-design
The best option for a wooden porch of a private house can be considered an attached structure with a railing and a canopy. We will talk about the assembly of just such a porch below. First, let's see how to correctly draw up a project for the porch of a wooden house. First of all, you should draw a design drawing in compliance with all proportions. The scheme is built taking into account the safety and maximum practicality of the stairs.
A person's stride width is usually about 60-64cm. Therefore, the porch safety formula looks like this: 2a + b = 62, where "a" is the height of the step, and "b" is its width. Thus, it turns out that the most convenient to use are marches with a step height of about 15-18 cm and a width of 20-32 cm. Its optimal length is considered to be a meter and a half. Also, a comfortable porch should have a railing about 90cm high.
The project also needs to take into account the number of steps themselves. This parameter is determined based on the height of the base. However, in any case, there should be at least two steps.
Diagram of a ladder with steps fixed on a bowstring
Important: The project is drawn up taking into account the fact that its upper platform should be located below the threshold of the house by at least 3 cm. Otherwise, when the door swells in wet weather, it may simply stop closing.Take a look at these photos, maybe they will help you decide on the design and construction of a wooden porch:
So, the project has been drawn up. Now let's look at the technology of making a wooden porch with our own hands in stages.
Assembly technology
Do-it-yourself construction of a march from boards and timber includes the following steps:
- Manufacturing of supports. For them you need a bar 50 * 150mm;
- Digging holes and making a "pillow" for the supports. Filling the support platform for the march;
- Installation of supports;
- Making and installing bowstrings or stringers;
- Installation of steps;
- Installation of balusters and railings;
- Installation of the visor;
- Porch painting.
Under the lower step of the wooden porch, a concrete platform is arranged to determine the design and construction of the wooden porch
Manufacturing and installation of supports
The assembly of the frame of the wooden porch begins with knocking down the supports. For their manufacture, they are fastened with self-tapping screws, two bars 50 * 150. In this case, both ordinary nails and self-tapping screws are used for whipping. You can also just take one beam 100-150 * 150.
Under the pillars, you need to drill holes half a meter deep
Pits 50 cm deep are dug under the supports. At their bottom, a pillow of flat stones is arranged. How to make it if there are no such ones? In this case, you can use rubble concrete, simply pouring a cement-sand mortar into the pits and throwing some stones there. As a support under the march of the porch to the house made of wood, a rubble concrete slab buried in the ground (under the lowest step) is arranged, poured in the same way as the "pillows".
Before installation, the ends of the supports are treated with an antiseptic composition
The pillars must be treated with an antiseptic
Advice: Often the ends of the supports are treated with bituminous mastic. However, this is not entirely correct. The fact is that this tool blocks the access of air to the wood, which causes it to rot from the inside. The result is a not too durable wooden porch for a summer residence.Making bowstrings or stringers
The steps of the wooden march can be attached to the bowstring or stringers. The latter is a board with support nests sawn out along the upper edge.
On the bowstring, the bars filled with the desired pitch serve as the basis for the steps. Do-it-yourself porch made of wood turns out to be quite aesthetic in both cases.
How to make a wooden porch with your own hands. Photo of installed kosour
Assembling the march
The cut-out bowstrings or stringers are attached at one end to the supporting posts. To do this, you can use screws or nails. Their second end is supported on a concrete platform.
On a note: When making the porch of a wooden house with your own hands using a bowstring, the steps begin to be fastened from top to bottom. They are installed on the kosour from the bottom up.
Almost finished porch made of wood. Photo of the process of installing steps on stringers
The upper platform is first mounted on the bowstrings. Then a step is installed. A tread is stuffed between them. Then again they mount the step and the tread, etc. On the kosoura, all the treads are first drilled and only then all the steps are fixed. Finish the installation by installing the upper platform. It should be supported on two beams, one end fixed to the support pillars, and the other to the wall of the house (with corners to a wooden one or to a beam to a concrete one).
Risers and steps are fastened with self-tapping screws
On a note: Fix the steps and risers with self-tapping screws. In order to make the march more reliable, you can additionally use wood glue.Installation of balusters and railings
With the use of handrails, a more harmonious and comfortable wooden porch is obtained. It is also not difficult to put them with your own hands:
- In the lower end of a baluster cut from a bar to a depth of 80mm, a hole with a diameter of 12mm is drilled;
- Next, the butt is sawn off at an angle to match its surface with the surface of the bowstring;
- A metal pin is inserted into the hole, coated with PVA glue. Its end should protrude 70mm;
- Holes 80mm deep and 14mm in diameter are drilled in the upper edge of the string.
- The baluster hairpin is coated with glue and inserted into the hole in the bowstring.
Balusters are installed on metal pins or wooden dowels
On a note: First, the extreme balusters are attached, and then the intermediate ones. The bowstring itself should be marked first. Before installation, the upper ends of the balusters should be sawn off at an angle to the railing.The railing can be attached to the balusters simply with glue, or you can also use pins.
Installing the visor
Next, we will consider step by step how to properly assemble the visor over the wooden porch near the house. The device of the simplest involves knocking down the frame and sheathing it with boards. The frame is assembled from 50 * 50 beams. From above it is sheathed with a board approximately 25mm thick.
Closed porch of a wooden house. Photo of a log version with curly pillars and a rectangular visor
The resulting shield is attached with one side to the wall of the house, and the other over the supporting pillars of the stairs.
How to decorate a wooden porch?
If you know how to work well with wood before installation, all elements of the porch structure (except for steps and risers) can be carved.
Advice: When carving patterns on a bowstring or stringers, do not overdo it with the number of through holes. Otherwise, the porch structure can be weakened.
Carved baluster design
The finished porch, carved or ordinary, must be varnished or painted. What is the best way to handle it in the latter case? The decoration of the porch of a wooden house is most often done using oil paint or acrylic (intended for outdoor use). It is also very important to know what to coat the surfaces with before painting. Usually the tree is pretreated with linseed oil. You can also use a wood primer. If you do not skip this step, repairs to the structure (replacing rotten elements and touching up) will have to be done much less often.
The device of a wooden porch (video on how to build a porch porch):
Entrance doors do not let snow and wind into our houses, but they themselves can withstand the entire load. They are often located well above ground level, therefore, to enter the house, you need a porch. It will help you get inside without any difficulties, leaving street dust and dirt behind the threshold.
What's interesting about the porch? It can be arranged in very different ways, according to the taste of the owner. This article will consider various options for arranging and decorating a porch.
The entrance group in most cases is the central decorative element in the exterior of a cottage or private house. If the overall composition of the site is thought out and decorated with taste and love, and the porch looks like it was from another house or was made in a hurry, the whole impression will be ruined and the ensemble will be incomplete.
Peculiarities
First, let's figure out what, in fact, is a porch. The general definition is that it is an extension to a house that serves to enter and exit it. It has a staircase (or at least several steps), as well as a canopy (this condition is optional). In most cases, this design has a decorative appearance.
This structure is located outside the building, therefore it is not subject to building rules and regulations applicable to indoor buildings.
The entrance group is presented with a number of rules necessary to fulfill in terms of planning:
- It is necessary to equip the site. Its depth will depend on the width and type of entrance doors, as well as the way it is opened. The size of the site should not be less than 1 m2.
- Depending on how many doors open onto the site, its length is planned.
- An important factor is the ability to freely carry a stretcher with a person lying on them across the site.
- A canopy for protection from rain and snow is a requirement of the inspection authorities. It must be installed at a height of at least 20 cm from the top of the front door.
- If a wheelchair user lives in the house, it is necessary to equip the porch with an anti-slip ramp.
There are also fire safety rules that must be followed when arranging a porch:
- According to the requirements, the front door must always open outward. Accordingly, the area of the upper step is planned with this in mind.
- Porch elements are made of non-flammable or low-flammable materials.
- If wood is used in the device or porch decor, it must be impregnated with a fire retardant.
From a safety point of view, it is necessary that the site meets a number of requirements:
- The covering of steps and platforms should not slip;
- places where people walk should not be exposed to the accumulation of water;
- if the porch consists of more than 3 steps and has a height of more than 45 cm, it must necessarily have a protective fence (railings, sides and other elements);
- each step must be at least 30 cm wide and at least 15 cm high;
- the porch must have lighting (dotted from above), additional LED lighting with tape around the perimeter or rim of the degrees is possible;
- in cold regions, you can equip an unheated or heated vestibule.
Technical requirements
Building codes (SNiP), as well as GOST regulate the main parameters for arranging the porch.
Depending on the height of the basement of the house, the number of steps in the entrance group is designed.
For example, the depth range for each step is 27-30 cm, and the height is 12-18 cm. Thus, the tread and riser should be 45 cm in size. This will provide optimal comfort for climbing steps.
In order for one person to be able to comfortably climb the stairs, its width should not be less than 60 cm.If it is assumed that two people will walk along the steps, they should not be already 120-145 cm.More than three steps on the stairs require a fence or railings. Their height should vary from 9 to 20 cm. If the railings decorate the porch of a private cottage, their height can be whatever the owner wishes.
The ladder must meet the requirements for safe movement in relation to the horizon angle. The safest from the point of view of operation is a wide and flat staircase.
The upper platform is located 5 cm below the threshold. This is a requirement of fire regulations and rules. Its depth should be equal to 1.5 times the width of the doorway.
Views
The porch belongs to the group of light outdoor buildings, therefore, it does not require a reinforced type of foundation. Often the base for it is free-standing, for example, in the front door or entrance.
Most often, the foundation for the porch:
- pile;
- columnar;
- shallow tape.
If the porch for a private house is planned as a full-fledged structure with stairs, columns, and the material for it is brick, concrete, stone, then it will require a solid foundation. It is built together with the foundation of the house, and it is also connected to it. For example, if it is decided to erect a porch with brick columns on a concrete platform, the fragile foundation simply cannot withstand this structure: it will sag, warp or collapse.
By the type of execution, the porch is:
- open;
- with a canopy or visor;
- covered.
The first type is mainly found in private cottages. Often, there is a patio or terrace right behind the porch in such houses. The porch consists of an open platform and steps, of which there can be a different number. If there are more than three of them, the porch should be equipped with a handrail.
Sheds and canopies are not provided, most often this role is performed by an attic or balcony located directly above the entrance group. Or if the house is one-story, the protruding roof can partially take over the function of the shed.
If the porch is equipped with a canopy or canopy, it is located above the front door and closes it, as well as part of the area near the house. The canopy can be extended to create a parking lot or recreation area in front of the house. The latter can be equipped with a barbecue or barbecue.
Most often, this type of porch is used when the house has a basement and the front door is located high. An interesting non-trivial visor can decorate the facade, as well as perform practical functions.
In the latter version, the entrance group is completely covered with a roof, as is the area near the door. The walls of the house enclose the porch, thus creating a kind of vestibule. The entrance to the house is protected from precipitation and winds.
Today, the achievements of the construction industry make it possible to go beyond the rectangular shape of the porch. Now you can give it a variety of configurations: a semicircle, a polyhedron, even a triangle.
For example, by giving the porch a semicircular shape, you can hide and smooth over unnecessarily sharp corners of the house. Its convenience is that you can climb the steps from either side, since they completely go around the entire porch, providing a comfortable approach to the door. Better to make them brick or stone (from clinker tiles).
If there is a need to balance the house, you can lay out trapezoidal steps. They are interesting in that they expand, going up. Thus, the upper platform is solid and quite large.
Porch types can be classified according to the size of the upper deck:
- terrace - an open spacious area equipped with a handrail;
- patio - a platform that does not have railings or other fences, while covered with a canopy;
- veranda - in fact, a glazed terrace;
- vestibule - a small hallway that separates the entrance group from the living quarters.
For some reason, the porch area is at a considerable height.
This is due to the following cases:
- If the project provides for the presence of a technical floor in the house.
- If the climatic features at the construction site make it necessary to raise the porch. For example, in an area where spring water spills or heavy winter snowfalls are possible, this is a prerequisite.
- Difficult landscape relief. For example, if the house is on piles, the porch will simply have to be positioned at a considerable height. Then even the most uneven terrain will not become an obstacle. And there will be no need to carry out expensive and labor-intensive earthworks.
Ladders can be located perpendicularly from one side of the site, or from two, or encircle it, making it possible to approach the door from any direction.
If there is not enough space in front of the house, the stairs can be placed along the facade or a reversible structure can be arranged. The multi-level terrace also looks original.
The cantilever-supporting structure is most often used for metal stairs. But it is necessary to provide for its construction at the stage of laying the foundation for the house.
If the platform is not wide enough, you can place two small ladders on opposite sides of it. This is the most convenient option if there is very little free space in front of the house.
The most convenient of the stairs is the one whose steps go around the site. For example, if the porch is not large, but the climb should be comfortable.
The more original the solution for decorating the porch, the more interesting the facade will look. Thanks to the taste and idea of the owner, you can create a lively and non-trivial architectural composition.
Materials (edit)
A fairly large number of different materials are presented on the modern market for arranging a porch in front of the front door.
The most common and frequently used are:
- brick;
- concrete;
- wood;
- metal alloys;
- natural stone (granite);
- polycarbonate.
Wood can be used in the form of logs, beams or decking. Most often, the entrance groups of country houses built in the old Russian style are equipped with wood. For the hut, built in the traditions of wooden architecture, it is the log porch that will be authentic.
Wood is also convenient because it is easy to process, it can be given any shape, even the most complex and fancy. Master carvers with extensive experience are able to design unusually beautiful openwork compositions on windows, roof ridge and entrance groups of houses. The porch railings and the fence around the house, which have a similar or the same carved pattern, look very impressive.
The more original and subtle the woodcarver's work, the more effective the result will be.
Do not forget about the need for mandatory processing of wooden elements with a fire retardant against fire and an antiseptic against decay. Then the structure will serve for a long time without losing its attractive appearance.
It is better to use wood species that are hard to rot.
These are, as a rule, conifers, for example:
- pine - the most budgetary and affordable option, has a light white tint;
- larch is a very durable and reliable breed, but not easy to process, it has an interesting yellow-orange undertone;
- spruce - for street buildings, it should be used carefully, as it is very susceptible to the destructive effects of moisture;
- cedar - a valuable and expensive material that is used to accentuate details, has a pinkish tint;
- fir is the most fragile and light, almost white coniferous species. It is not recommended to use it for structures requiring strength.
- birch is a very durable species, but it needs special protective treatment, otherwise the wood will crack;
- beech is an expensive wood; individual structural parts are made from it;
- aspen - it is used mostly for the construction of baths due to its high resistance to moisture;
- oak is an ideal material for construction "for centuries", as it is very durable, valuable and expensive.
There are no restrictions on the use of wood in construction. You can build a porch entirely from this material, you can sheathe it with a birch or cedar board or clapboard.
It should be noted that the presence of smooth chiseled figured balusters on the railings and polished steps is a traditional element in Russian architecture, which remains relevant today.
Metal is not as popular as wood, concrete or brick, but it can look just as impressive. Especially if vintage-style forged elements are used. Most often, metal parts appear in combination with stone, concrete or wood.
This is not due to the fact that the characteristics of the metal are inferior to other materials. It's just that its cost is quite high, as is the price of welded work when installing the porch. But a wrought iron railing or a frame on a visor, supported by a similar frame for a street lamp or lantern, are more budgetary options.
If the price of the issue is not a problem for the owner, you can order any forged items from the appropriate craftsmen. The openwork frame on the visor, supported by the same design of the caps on the fence or the same framing of the lanterns above the door and along the perimeter of the fence, look very impressive.
But the metal is extremely susceptible to corrosion, rain and snowfall can quickly render it unusable.
Very often, forged elements are covered with transparent polycarbonate. So they are less susceptible to negative environmental factors, while the beauty and originality of the details are more noticeable.
Any professional forging makes the appearance of the structure a real work of art.
Natural stone is a very special material. It can be performed both solo and in combination with any other type of decoration. A granite or marble entrance group has the maximum advantages for a capital structure: strong, durable, beautiful, reliable, resistant to environmental influences. But it has two significant drawbacks: it is bulky and expensive.
Thanks to the achievements of modern production technologies, false stone is practically indistinguishable from natural in appearance. You can only detect a fake by touching it.
Instead of natural stone, you can use tiles: clinker, sidewalk. They are, firstly, more budgetary than a solid stone, and secondly, they are much more convenient to work with, since they are lighter and each element has its own specific size.
An entrance group made of stone will perfectly decorate a brick house, as well as finished with plaster or panels that imitate stone or brick. It must be understood that the stone porch looks truly monumental, so it is not recommended to decorate a small house with it.
Brick, like wood, is an affordable and often found material in the design of a porch. They can both finish the finished composition and create a complete structure from it. It weighs a little, is inexpensive, while strong and durable. In addition, it is easy to operate and operate.
For work on the street, this type of brick is often used, such as clinker. It has enhanced strength. He is not afraid of all the typical environmental factors: rain, snow, temperature drops, direct rays of the sun. It does not lose its attractive appearance for a long time.
There are a large number of clinker color solutions on the market. This allows you to create real masterpieces in porch decor: ornaments, gradients, contrasting patterns or monochrome.
Polycarbonate is the only material that cannot be used for a porch base. It can only be used as a coating. The frame will be metal, timber or brick. Polycarbonate must be used wisely, then you can create an interesting architectural solution from it.
Where can polycarbonate be applied:
- as a coating on forged elements;
- for the construction of a visor over the entrance group;
- you can create a canopy over the porch.
Due to the fact that polycarbonate bends well, it is possible to create structures of various shapes from it.
In most cases, concrete is the basis; on top it is covered with various cladding. This is because concrete itself has an unpresentable appearance and the entrance group, built only from it, will not decorate the house.
However, concrete can be poured into any form of formwork and a large number of different stair and porch configurations can be obtained.
There are polished or painted concrete structures that look pretty interesting.
Since uncured concrete is plastic, casting of elements of any complexity is possible. But the main disadvantage is the extreme severity of the material and the complexity of installation.
Dimensions (edit)
What the porch will look like is best planned at the stage of developing a house project. Then you should decide on its size. In addition to the owner's wishes, there are also safety requirements. So, the upper platform should be such that a person can open the door (outward, in accordance with fire regulations), and he does not have to step down a step.
The width, depth and height of the steps are regulated by SNiPs, and none of the parameters should be less than the regulated ones. The same goes for slope angles. As for the configuration and decor - here the owner is free to act in accordance with his imagination.
Design
Regardless of whether the upper porch is located high or low, it can be designed and decorated according to the wishes of the owner. Of course, you need to understand that the railing on the high porch is not only and not so much an element of decor, but an important functional detail: both in winter during snowfalls and ice, and in autumn during heavy rains. On a low porch or a couple of three steps, railings and fences are not an urgent need, but a whim of the owner. Nevertheless, such a fence (posts connected by a chain, for example) can become an adornment of the entrance group, especially in spring and summer.
Depending on the chosen design style of the entrance group, its design can be supplemented with a bench, a hedge, a figuratively trimmed lawn, symmetrically broken flower beds, one or two lanterns - there are a great many options, and each is interesting.
Do not overload the decor with dissimilar details. For example, if forging elements are used in the design of a porch (awning, visor), it is advisable to support it by using similar elements in the design of a lantern, bench, and caps on the fence. Mixing different styles can create a cacophony and tasteless decor.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the compatibility of materials from which the entrance group is created. The quality should be at its best, because attempts to save money and buy building material of dubious origin can lead to the rapid destruction of the structure. Therefore, it is better to buy all the components of the entrance group of well-known and well-established manufacturers on the market. Clinker tiles will look great with both concrete posts and wrought iron railings. The brick porch is in harmony with the fence made of a similar material.
It must be remembered that any combination should be treated with caution. It is better to draw a sketch - manually or in a computer program, or use one of the huge number of ready-made photographs. Because the porch is a significant element of home decoration that catches the eye first.
The adjacent landscape (as well as the general composition of the site) is also important to consider when developing the design project of the entrance group. For a country house in a classic style, stylization for an English garden is perfect - bouquets in pots, mini-flower beds.
In most cases, the facing of steps on a concrete staircase is done by means of ceramic tiles or stone, and the latter can be both natural and artificial. Treads can be finished with tiles that have an imperfect rough texture.
In front of the door in a wooden house, you can make a small water staircase. Then you can cover it not with tiles, but with a polished or decking board.
A wooden porch can be decorated in a variety of ways. Since this material has a very beautiful structure, it does not need to be hidden, but rather, on the contrary, emphasized.
If necessary, you can cover it with varnish, special oil or paint.
Style
Any entrance to the house is the widest field for experiments in decoration, whether it be three steps or a full-fledged wide staircase. How to decorate a porch in different style solutions - we will consider in this section.
A country-style entrance lobby will look best in a wooden version while making the material look like it has never been machined. It is important to leave the natural curves at the tree trunks on the railing or railings, while, of course, they should not remain jagged, roughness, which can leave splinters and injure someone who will move up the stairs.
A porch decorated with columns in the Greek style can look very interesting, especially in warm climates. It is best to plant antique portals with flowers and evergreen shrubs (cypress, thuja, laurel). Stone clinker tiles on a low porch with a spacious area will be an ideal complement to the composition, as well as a gable canopy resting on columns.
The colonial style of the entrance lobby with deliberately rough-cut stone will beautifully complement a house made of similar material. Such a porch near a house with a pitched roof or a round roof looks especially original. The house looks like a fortress or a castle, and the entrance group organically complements the composition. Neither luxury nor pretentiousness is inherent in this style, but it looks really impressive and solid.
The entrance group, for which the Mediterranean style has been chosen, will look best near the house in warm climatic latitudes. Descending the wide white marble steps directly to the sea or pool is truly gorgeous. Columns and amphora pots with southern flowers and plants planted in them will add sophistication to the composition.
The Russian style is, first of all, beautifully processed wood. Neither brick, nor stone, let alone plastic are inappropriate in it. Only wood, if possible - carved. There are several ways of decorating buildings in the Russian style - this is a log hut and a prince's tower. Railings with balusters, a carved fence, a visor with an openwork pattern - these are all integral components of this style.
Scandinavian style is the complete opposite of pretentious Russian. There are no unnecessary details, while all the requirements of convenience and comfort are met. The apparent simplicity of this style hides the thoughtful organization of all the little things. As a rule, white stone or tiles are used, the fence posts are also stone or concrete.
The Provence style is perfectly supported by a wooden staircase with carvings. It is recommended to paint it white, it is good if the paint cracks a little.
Forging elements will look great in the chalet style: a lantern, caps on the fence, railings and posts.
Foundation
When decorating the entrance group, it is logical to use the same material from which the house is built. That is, a porch made of wood will suit a log or log house, and a porch made of brick will suit a brick one.
When constructing steps and a platform, the elements of the extension must be waterproofed, because otherwise they will suffer from the influence of climatic conditions. In addition, it is necessary to drain the soil; for this, special trenches are dug for drainage and water is pumped out.
Before finishing the construction of the porch, you need to make sure that the door can be opened even after a heavy snowfall. And for this, the site should be lower than the entrance door, by about 5 cm. If there is no canopy above the entrance group, you can build a site with a slight slope - up to 5 degrees to ensure the outflow of water. If there is a canopy or visor, it is not necessary to arrange the slope.
The larger the house, the more impressive the porch will be required and, accordingly, the foundation for it. It is best to lay it at the stage of building a house simultaneously with the general foundation of the house, especially if it is planned to arrange a veranda or patio on the upper platform.
If you do not make the base under the porch, then it may sag shortly after manufacturing.
There are several options for the foundation for the porch:
- tape;
- pile;
- columnar;
- from slabs.
The most common type of base is tape. It is chosen by both experienced builders and beginners in this matter. It is easy to build, since the technology of the device is simple, and little building materials are required for this.
It is more difficult to arrange a pile type; you will need reinforced concrete piles. Their ends are sharpened in order to make it easier to set them to the desired depth.
Laying a columnar foundation is quick and easy, since the columns are placed close to each other at the corners of the porch and in the places where the walls intersect.
The most difficult and expensive option is a slab foundation. Firstly, it requires a large number of activities: from preparing the pit to laying the reinforced slab on the prepared "cushion" of sand and gravel.
It is important to remember that the wider and larger the porch is planned, the more solid the base under it should be.
The process of laying the foundation should go along with the construction of the house. If the foundations are laid at different times, then they will settle at different rates. Structures can be "led" in different directions, which will lead to the formation of cracks. To avoid this, you need to use high-quality cement.
In order for the structure to serve longer, you need to take care of the thermal insulation of both the porch itself and the base under it. This is especially true for large, solid entrance groups. It is equally important to correctly calculate the depth for its laying.
In most cases, a foundation under the entrance group is needed. It is unlikely that there is a person who has built a house, who has invested in this a lot of time, effort and, to be sure, money, who wants to watch how his creation is being destroyed just because he was too lazy to put it on a high-quality and reliable foundation in his time.