Before: Rotting timber structure with peeling paint and failing roof, brick piers intact.
Heritage Restoration
Rebuilding a rotting entryway while preserving its period charm.
2024
Heritage Reconstruction, Framing, Roofing
Before: Rotting timber structure with peeling paint and failing roof, brick piers intact.
The front porch of this character home was in serious disrepair. The original timber structure was suffering from extensive rot, the paint was heavily peeling, and the roof was no longer weather-tight. The owners needed to replace the dangerous woodwork but wanted to keep the original red brick piers to maintain the house's vintage look.
Reconstruction: Building new rot-resistant timber frame on preserved brick base.
The main challenge was structural preservation. We had to carefully dismantle the crumbling timber roof and posts without damaging the existing brick pillars, which were to remain as the foundation. We then needed to custom-build a new frame that matched the original footprint and roof pitch perfectly.
We stripped the porch back to the sturdy brick base. We constructed a brand new, rot-resistant timber frame, securing it firmly to the house and the brick piers. We topped it with a new roof sheet that mimics the traditional style while offering modern weather protection.
The entryway has been saved from ruin. The new timber structure provides a solid, level, and safe framework that respects the home's history. It is now structurally sound, weather-proof, and ready for a fresh coat of paint to finish the restoration.
After: New timber framework on preserved brick piers, ready for painting.
