Porch Remodel: From Caution Zone to Curb Appeal

Sep 11

The porch on this Virginia Beach home was in pretty bad shape after more than twenty years of time, weather, and use. There was severe rot, old termite damage, and the columns were literally held together by string. Now that their kids were through college, the homeowners wanted a safe and inviting space for the remaining years of their time there, while also increasing the value of the home for when they eventually moved.

Before:

The homeowners were happy with the style of their existing porch, so we got to work on designing a similar one with updated colors and materials. A new footer was required, as well as a total reframe of the porch. The area underneath the porch was graded so that rainwater would run away from the house. The new floor we installed has special plugs to hide the screws that attach the boards to the joists, giving the floor a more seamless look. The columns, railings, and lattice were constructed with PVC materials in order to improve longevity and ease of maintenance.

After:

Whereas the color scheme before was tan with blue painted floorboards, the new scheme features brighter, white painted accents, light grey floorboards, and a pop of color in the woodwork that frames in the new ceiling. While the new design originally called for white risers on the stairs, it was decided to change them to grey in order to match the banding around the porch.

We were able to reuse the existing light feature by the door, though the wiring had to be redone in order to pass code. The glass design in the front door was updated from an oval shape to a 3/4 rectangular design, the door was stained, and new hardware installed. It was the finishing touch to the inviting porch the homeowners had been dreaming of!

“We selected Benson Homes to replace our front porch and doors. From start to finish we received exceptional service from everyone involved. Our Project Coordinator led us through the design process to finalize options that complimented the style we envisioned. We were provided with a very complete and accurate estimate up front detailing all work involved including the schedule. The Master Carpenter for our project was both highly skilled and professional. He maintained a neat and orderly worksite. Throughout the project we received weekly in-person updates from our Project Coordinator. Our new front porch is a place we enjoy spending time due to their exceptional, high quality work. We highly recommend Benson Homes and would use them again.”

— Timothy S.