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Curb Appeal – Part 2

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Curb Appeal – Part 2

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Last updated on July 5, 2020

This was not a short process, we started Phase 1 in March 2015. We removed our damaged porch and had it poured with proper supports. There were only a few days without rain until late July. In June, we had a few days where it only sprinkled so the porch was quickly poured.
We had to cut expansion joins within 48 hours. That way when the concrete cracks, it would be more prone to do it in the designated joints. Otherwise we would risk it being more like a spiderweb.

My sister became my design partner...ok she talked me out of changing all of the cushions. Instead we added outdoor throw pillows. Which turned out so MUCH better.

Adding the Roof

It took 28 days for the concrete to fully cure. Even though it has rebar and was fiber infused, we wanted the concrete the strongest it could be before adding the weight of the roof. We went to Yellowstone with my family, started school, and made a plan on how to proceed while we waited.
Mom and Dad made a quick trip to help set the new posts and started plans for Phase 3.
Dad's 100+ year old Transit was very useful as we worked on this house. I love that it has a story being passed down through several generations in our family.
The porch came out almost a foot further than originally planned. Which means that the flowers I had planted are under concrete now. Mom and I had to run some errands and decided to pick up some flowers too. It was then that we discovered the pillows we had picked out were to good of a deal to pass up.
We worked hard tilling the flower bed by hand. While Mom and Dad had to go home that afternoon they had helped us make a huge jumpstart. We continued working so we wouldn't lose the momentum. Side note: I loved the way my landscaping turned out. I really wish I could have found the same plants after we replaced our sewer line but they were always a different color.

Columns

Our Playroom walls were cedar planks.  When we redid the room we decided to reuse or sell them. It was neat to see this dream become a reality.

First challenge: Rough boards We contemplated between sanding, planing, or just painting them. After placing the white boards against the house we decided to purchase a planer and in one pass the smoothness and color persuaded us to use the true cedar look.

Next challenge make sure we didn't mess up. We had exactly enough boards that were long enough without damage to make the columns. So we started with the faceboards to use the best ones facing the street. Then attached the back followed by the sides with finishing nails.
I worked on flowers while he measured.
One column done! By getting this one done it gave us the motivation to keep going. Especially after I finished planting the flowers!
The front porch has always been one of our favorite spots. I sit out there as I am on the phone to keep away from the kids, they love doing their schoolwork, and we all enjoy eating out there.

After "we" assembled the post came the recessing of the nails, sanding, and a clear protectant that I think was actually slightly tinted. I really liked the wet look whenever I would wipe down the posts after sanding them.

We also did a little tree trimming.

Summary

Phase 2 only took a week to complete, could have been done in a few days but we couldn't work late without being swarmed with mosquitoes and we still had work/school, exercise, and church. The weather was perfect to work in with very little humidity and temps in the 70's...Did I mention this was middle of August!?! All in all Phase 1 & 2 took a little less than 6 months.

Phase 3 will involve removing the Dogwood trees on either side of the porch, and 2 bushes along the right side (between the two houses) of the house. Then we will have to regrade to make a swell to help keep flash floods away from the window wells.

We hope to spread some grass seed soon and replace the large picture window... Little did we know that one year later we would have to replace the sewer line and have the yard graded 3 times before 2019.

And I think replacing the black cedar shutters with some cedar ones will help bring it all together. What do you think? I really wanted to replace with the cedar shutters but we just found out that we have at least one offer on the house coming sooo maybe next house.

2011- At this point we had put in new windows, lights, and drainage.
September 2015

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