I finally got down to one of my long term projects the back door porch. There is a lot I love about my house but being unable to leave the back door open in the rain is not one of them. So I got the bits together and got on with it.
In typical engineer fashion this is fairly overspecced. When considering the marginal savings of lower spec materials or the not having something suitable and rework I’ll go over everytime.
I bought 4 off 2.4m long by 100mm square fence posts for my uprights and 3 off 3.6m long 2″ by 4″ (47mm by 95mm planed) for my bracing. I was erecting this on an uneven surface so everything was site measured and cut against the arbitrary datum of the utility room fascia.
I cut off the first posts at the upper datum height, then temporarily secured a 2″ by 4″to hold the uprights in place. Next I added the cross beams to the front posts. I adjusted these to the required angle to match the utility room roof, before I marked up the front posts. I then cut them off to match.
Building the frame
After I’d cut the front posts, I then attached the side braces. Then aligned the front and rear beams such that their edges lined up with the slope of the planned roof. I then cut three intermediate braces, once again lined up to the roof slope.
Finishing off
I attached the uncovered door porch frame to the fascia to give it a little more rigidity. Then I cut the 18mm (3/4″) marine ply sheets to fit. This consisted of one whole 1220mm by 2440mm (4′ by 8′) and approx half of a second sheet. I screwed these to the braces
Next up it was time to get on the roof which, as hoped, proved strong enough to support my substantial frame. I rolled out the underlay felt then hammered in clout nails to secure it. I made sure to leave plenty of overhang, as once I get the time I’ll add side and front edging strips to which I can attach the felt.
Fall from grace
Now the moral of the story. Don’t do too much and take care. After the photo above, whilst getting off the roof, after a long day of DIY I fell. Whilst getting onto the ladder, I was tired and clumsy, slipped and fell. Falling most of the 1.8m from the front edge to the floor and landing on my back hip first. Luckily I fell from a half on/half off position so not the full height. I’m also a robust build after 25+ seasons of rugby.
I was lucky not to seriously hurt myself and a serious break, or worse, could have easily resulted. As it was I was in pain for 2 weeks and walking was uncomfortable. Oh, and I scared the living daylights out of EmmCee for which I am truly sorry. The moral of the story is stop before you get too tired. Don’t rush, and seek assistance when you need it. Take advice and work safe.
So this is how I’ve left the back door porch. I’ll get around to finishing it this summer. I have side boards to add a proper drip edge at the front and at least another layer of top coat felt.
You can find more of my woodworky crafty posts here.