Building a Covered Porch

[@AprilWilkerson]

Want to build some sturdy but simple porch furniture? I have templates and plans for a porch swing: bit.ly/2zFU6PN Rocking Chair: bit.ly/34T5hiV and Folding Adirondack chair: bit.ly/3dKrLHJ

[@edd2771]

April Wilkerson Sorry to be a downer and a broken record, but you REALLY need to be advising your viewers to follow their local code and, if they follow your procedures step by step, that they do so at their own risk. At your level of subscribers, and now that you are getting into dwellings, not small projects, it’s the responsible thing to do. If you don’t believe me, ask your lawyer...

[@dobrovik]

i just did this three months ago -- some thanks to April for giving me confidence to try it -- but I used a template to avoid measuring, and I ended up about 5 inches off at 36 feet long. I recommend tossing a few safety checks every 8 feet to make sure you're lining up!

[@robertm348]

Next, how about building an old-time covered bridge. Do you hav a culvert or stream on your property that needs to be bridged? Love the videos! Keep 'em coming!

[@ronalddean4834]

Your porch turned out great, but I love the front door and surround. There's nothing better than a nice front porch in the early morning and evening. Great video thanks for sharing

[@Atlantismonkey40]

Really like the way you explain the process. You have a nice speaking voice. Recently I had to explain putting the CROWN of the wood up. My friend thankfully only had to reset a few boards. Keep them coming!

[@carlwhite8225]

April, yall worked like a well oiled machine, Thanks for sharing.

[@kennethaustin3196]

Glad to see people still helping people!

[@dougmaclean9752]

For people that have not used them before post levels can get you in trouble . Because they are so short the slightest imperfection in the post ( knot , splinter , paint blob, bow , etc. ) can throw it off . Handy if your running out of hands but I always double check with a long level . Great looking job !

[@jeremyspecce]

good point, i was about to buy one... i still probably will but i'll keep that in mind.

[@davegordon6943]

Yeah they suck

[@johnlee7085]

Even better would be to make an offset jig for a couple plumb bobs. Absolute accuracy unless it’s windy.

[@Lumens1]

Questions: how are you fastening the posts to the deck structure (key here is wind uplift)? It looks like the posts aren’t over your piers which can be an issue. What sort of flashing detail was used where the two roofs meet? Recommend adding lags to your 45 degree braces. Just some thoughts from a structural engineer and former carpenter.

[@DanUtley]

I had the exact same question about the posts.

[@One_Crazy_Dog_Mum]

I wondered the same also.

[@GroundedFlyboy737]

Ditto, unless I missed it, the posts were never secured other than the leveling braces which were later removed. I'm also interested in the water movement treatment between the two roof areas. Overall, super video as always, thank you.

[@autocadassistant8766]

I also noticed there were no hurricane ties.

[@stkbkr1]

me too

[@srqlisa7881]

Who wouldn't want to sit on that porch and do some rocking. What Greg did finishing it off was amazing, loved it. : ) peace

[@dimitrioslykissas7981]

Something about what you said, regarding "making shelter". Making kitchen cabinets sure is fun and rewarding, but some stuff just goes way back, to our most primordial instincts. Fire, food, shelter, a simple tool one can use to make something else. Making any one of those things, however small and trivial it may be, is bound to get to ones feelings. In the end, making fire (and food, shelter, tools...) is what brought us here, not kitchen cabinets.

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

This reminds me of building pole barns on my farm. It's a little different, but very satisfying too. I enjoyed watching you sit on the finished porch, and relaxing after your hard work! Great Job!!!

[@budwoodman1716]

Just curious. How were the posts attached to the base of the deck? Did I miss that? It appears that they are just sitting on them and are reliant on the weight of the overhead, roof, etc... to press down on the post where it meets the deck.

[@LISA75_]

Yeah i was thinking the same, glad i wasn't the only one thinking it was weird or i had missed something .

[@saulpatino2927]

Wish it was more of a how to video.

[@astinmartin586]

I watched the whole video twice, an even rewound 100's of times, and I could not find where it was ever mention (if it happened at all?) about the posts being fixed to the top of the deck...other than the part about aligning them with the supports below the the deck. It was driving me crazy, glad i'm not the only one! lol.

[@ajs96350]

That thing is gone the 1st major wind storm that comes along.

[@wildsmooth9201]

The same way it was in the before picture. That old porch outlasted most of the shit built now days.

[@AlphonsodeBarbo]

Love how wide it is! All it needs now is for a complete surround!

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful, April! Really well done!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Grunt49]

Left my hearing in 'Nam! Great job April.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video April and Greg, really enjoyed watching your new deck and porch being built. Thanks for sharing with us and allowing us to ride along with you. Fred.

[@Rosiebella80]

I love this so much. You’ve given me some beautiful inspiration and courage to do mine now. You definitely explain your process so well and I absolutely appreciate it. ❤️ I have just a few small adjustments needed to fit my home and I can’t wait to start mine. Thank you. I’m so glad I ran into your channel. Looking forward to watching more of your projects. ✌🏽❤

[@AprilWilkerson]

You are so welcome! I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

[@lonnieclemens8028]

Thank you for sharing this video April. You did a good job on the porch.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad you liked it!

[@BoomerKeith1]

Not only an upgrade but a great build video! So satisfying!

[@loudam4211]

Wow, nice porch ! But I really have concerns about uplift forces on that massive roof area. Please tie down those posts/structure INTO the founding soil somehow, seeing that you did not pour concrete piers.

[@raylewis1355]

So what attachment method did you use for the post to deck? Or did I miss something?

[@CookiesNCreamMLBB]

@@jimmer411 yeah hopes and prayers thats it

[@lucettag]

I was wondering the same, in fact, it was my only reason for watching the video... 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@FredMcIntyre]

The porch turned out great April! 😃👌🏻 You and Greg did an awesome job! 👍🏻👍🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@Jenseitskontakte]

I did not catch, how the posts were secured...or are they just standing without any fixation?

[@64maxpower]

To me what makes a job like that really satisfying is the other people you are working with. If they are like minded you almost don't need to speak. Your friend and yourself seem like minded

[@Binthar1]

Enjoyed the vid, thanks April. Would love to see a good demonstration on how to do the ledger board. I’m going to build a deck cover soon and I need to figure out how to navigate existing siding, water damage protection, and so on.

[@PaiviProject]

That turned out amazing. Job well done. I need one of those in my backyard. Cheers 👍

[@frameriteairdrie578]

2:25 I'm glad you cut the bird mouth like that. I've seen a lot of people just over cut it with a circular saw and be happy with that. Might work sometimes, but there are many situations where it will take out a lot of structural integrity.

[@garyhaber333]

Beautiful job! Love the look of a classic texas porch! I'm going to integrate this into my own home here near Uvalde.

[@DiggyCity]

Love the video April, but I think I'm wondering what a lot of other people are, how you mounted the posts. That's probably the most confusing part for me in my plans for my house, hoping to find out from your expertise. Thank you!

[@outsideview9052]

totally agree. That was the first thing I was thinking. Also, are the rafters simply toe nailed into the plate attached to the house?

[@EngineerMikeF]

To avoid all that "crab crawling" on open framing, rip a sheet of ply in half & just lay it on the joists or trusses (only works up to maybe 4:12 pitch without temp nails) & scootch it along as you progress

[@johnlee7085]

Or use both halves to avoid scotching. Just leapfrog the sheet halves.

[@Catch333FL]

Very nice work April, glad you shared this project with us. Keep the videos coming please. Much love from Ft Worth, Tx

[@ranger5721]

April, i really enjoy your videos on projects that you make. I am a sign carver that makes the old traditional signs that go on Houses that has a family name on it. Someday if i ever get to Texas i would like to visit your shop and attend one of your classes. i did get your one of your free plans to make. I have not made them yet but i will. God bless you on your new business and i hope you do well with it.

[@augustreil]

What a sweet porch ! Thumbs up April.

[@aipresenting]

Why you didn't attach the post to the deck? Aren't there winds in that area?

[@ZeoCyberG]

Places like Nashville, TN high wind conditions are pretty rare event. Besides, relax, they just didn't show it being attached. Same as they didn't show the roof panels being installed. This wasn't a how-to video, just a glimpse into the project with highlights of the process for a quick summary. While it's basically the same roof setup he had before, using the same pillars, that lasted him many years with zero problems.

[@edd2771]

ZeoCyberG I like the channel, but unfortunately, relaxing is not called for. Her viewers see these as how-to’s. Take note of how many people commented on part 1- “I’m gonna try that!, How do I do such and such?” For this reason (and her own legal protection) I commented elsewhere that at a minimum she should advise viewers to follow codes in their own areas, and that they follow her step-for step-at their own risk. This helps everyone involved. She doesn’t hesitate to dole out all manner of advice during the video except the most important about codes. Again no knock, but she is not a contractor or carpenter, and has no formal training. With over 1 million subscribers, when you are building table saw carts, its no big deal. When you are building dwellings, it’s a recipe for disaster.

[@rsp6549]

@@edd2771 Relax.

[@ZeoCyberG]

​@@edd2771 Sorry, but that's not logical or reasonable, and doesn't change that it's the wrong conclusion... . Frankly, doing things based on just a summary and not full knowledge on the subject is liable to win you the Darwin Awards... . Never confuse enthusiasm with actual skill and ability to do something. You see something you like, then go learn more about it! . Besides, there are multiple ways to construct a deck and attach posts. She could easily take a few videos on just those details in an actual How-To... Lots of time even when watching a how-to video doesn't mean you never have to research more information as you may want to do it differently for your particular needs...

[@marcdavis1728]

@@edd2771 Not to knock her but you did. Go look up the meaning of contractor and carpenter. I have seen contractors cut corners or leave out what a design calls for ( I have repaired or included what a " contractor omitted"). She builds things out of wood in her shop by definition makes her a carpenter. As for codes thats a different story that may involve a permit that leads to an inspecter adding more cost to the project but that does not mean it is better in terms of the finished product.

[@scottperry8388]

Great Job. I might have missed it but I didn't see how you attached the posts to the deck, or was that not necessary?

[@robertshepley479]

Yeah wouldn’t want to lean too hard on one of the posts...

[@wesleyfox5052]

Exactly why I came to the comments section... Are the posts not actually secured to the deck itself, and only via the rafters?

[@denisefracari9934]

What is holding the posts? All is going to fall down if not secure.

[@marshacampbell9964]

They said they screwed it to secure.

[@Lavadaddy666]

@@marshacampbell9964 That is not going to hold all of that, and they'll find out soon. They're gonna have one hell of a problem when winds come in

[@ozloya]

9:25 Coasters! Nice project, definitely using your tips when building my deck and porch in the next few weeks.

[@oodoodoopoopoo]

Cicadas are singing here in Ohio too.

[@jimmystuckey1412]

David S heats theme sone

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Nice job! Beautiful porch. Enjoyed the banjo picking!!!!

[@danaowen9014]

That shop looks like a train depot. Love the look.

[@garagedweller7159]

Many things I would do different,and that is why there is vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Thanks for the content.

[@davesmith7906]

Great stuff, I would have liked to see a couple close ups of the joints and perhaps some from above along the way. But these were very entertaining and helped me conceptualize my future deck project, thx

[@johnrosado9245]

You are a beautiful person. Inside and out. Love your videos.

[@talladegadude4852]

Beautiful porch! Interesting build, great narration and explanation. Always enjoy your videos. Loved the ending!

[@kamaleshbhargav405]

I am regular watcher of your work & I love it your work...sister. Kamalesh Bhargav, India

[@curtwhite876]

That is a spectacular porch. Nicely done, I am envious.

[@emmanuelraj...]

I am curious!! you did not show how you fixed the post at the foot ???

[@2H80vids]

Is a banjo license essential if you have a porch? If not, it should be !! I love a porch, or a balcony; great places to enjoy a beer or two but, sadly, lack of musical aptitude means I miss out on the overall experience. The rocking chairs would be the first "accessories" I would add. The job seemed to come together simply and quickly, the result of good planning.👌👍 Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@saschavolling7808]

Really nice work April I love to see your projects best wishes from Germany

[@PauloSilva-ll4vs]

I do not understand how the post was attached to the deck.

[@jonarse]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@oodoodoopoopoo]

I don't believe they are attached. It looked like they have aluminum pedestal bases beneath the posts. The weight of the huge posts themselves with the bracing at the top should prevent any shifting or lifting. Add to that the weight of the roof and I believe they really don't have anything to worry about. I typically like to attach them at the bottom when possible but I do like the aesthetic of these bases and they typically do not have an attachment point built in. In some cases when it fits with the design, molding around the base will prevent any shifting but will not do much to prevent lifting. Though if the design calls for base molding then might as well use a Simpson strong tie that can be hidden 🤷‍♂️.

[@ColeSpolaric]

A good storm could lift that roof right off

[@tannenbaumgirl3100]

@@oodoodoopoopoo Until a Tornado or straight winds come a huffin' + puffin' !

[@djAnakin]

Didn't look like they were. The beams should have been to the ground. A good wind is gonna tear that roof off the deck if they didn't secure the beams to the deck. :/

[@64maxpower]

I absolutely love the porch

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

Not being critical but if you are going to roof with standard sheet goods I’d be measuring the spacing of the rafters to eliminate the repetitive error by using a spacing block.. after 10 rafters a tiny error in width will add up quickly.

[@larrybe2900]

3:23

[@brucemacneil]

How would you do that and still be in compliance with the necessity of using fall arrest?

[@bruceanderson7260]

You can tell by that roof pitch that you are in the south. Here in Minnesota we would never get away with that. Tell snow would crush it.

[@LogHouseFarm]

I see a new deck for our place in the near future!

[@TheSoloAsylum]

If you like Blue Moon, try out Shock Top. It's like summer in a bottle.

[@piqua793]

Until the winds lift the entire roof off the deck.

[@augustreil]

Didn't happen before, doubt it will happen now.

[@Lumens1]

august that sort of mindset is how buildings fail and people get injured or killed. “Been doing it for 30 years. Haven’t had an issue before.” Codes change. Practices improve. Follow local building codes and engineers requirements and stay in your lane.

[@elisscaliving5864]

It’s probably heavy enough

[@idontthinkso666]

twitch moments roofs that are FAR heavier and larger than this have been blown off by severe storms, much less than a tornado. This is a hack job all the way.

[@BB-or8gi]

8:17 LOOOOOOVE the Haint Blue ceiling!!! Sure to keep the evil spirits away!

[@nordyfamily]

Great work, thanks for taking the time and sharing.

[@JLNYardBird]

Why not have the posts sitting on the concrete pillars? Surely those heavy posts will make the 2xs sag over time, and therefore the roof. What a pain for future mx.

[@augustreil]

Never happen, ain't going nowhere.

[@ZeoCyberG]

It doesn't have to be directly over the concrete footings, same reason you don't need a foundation to reach up to the second floor. The framing of the deck just has to be able to transfer the weight load to the footings, which this does as the pillars are over the support beam near the edge of the deck, which transfers the load to the footers, as well as each is placed very close to those footers anyway. The deck roof is also attached to the house, so the pillars are not supporting the entire weight by themselves, and it's not like it's a massive load to begin with as it's just a light roof just to give the deck cover...

[@ron827]

The rafters appeared to be green-treated and wonder if code requires them for a porch. A movable piece of plywood across the rafters makes moving around on them easier and safer.

[@reforzar]

Always kickin butt and takin names. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@raynoladominguez4730]

Now that looks homey and so inviting.

[@clickster1883]

How did you measure or calculate the angle and depth of the back cut and birds mouth for the rafters? Also, how did you attach the vertical posts to the deck after ensuring they were plumb? 🤔

[@Doobie2100]

Excellent job!!!

[@rico1319]

Nicely done you two!! 👍 Wow I didn’t even realize you were old enough to drink! LOL! Keep up the good work both of you!! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@edd2771]

Joist hangers for rafters? Ties for post bases to porch?

[@jeffreyjohn2037]

Good questions

[@RSLWoodworking]

Bc she’s a hack over her head doing real building with no experience or regard for code

[@musoangelo]

@@RSLWoodworking Really? You have to be nasty? You could have made your point by making a couple of suggestions or pointed out some improvements. Must be unpleasant to live around you.

[@edd2771]

RSL woodworking I like April and the channel but I do think she is out of her experience area here which is why I am making some comments on these recent videos. I don’t want to see her or her viewers get hurt. This is serious business, but “hack” isn’t called for.

[@idontthinkso666]

Ed D I agree with RSL. Just call this what it is. Two people without proper training or construction knowledge throwing together a project that they care more about how it looks than how it performs or how safe the structure is. The very definition of a hack job.

[@ptango101]

I don't understand how people can down vote these videos. I watch Aprils vids and learn so much every time. I find her skill and enthusiasm so contagious that it makes me think I can do things like this as well. At this point in time 122 people have thumbed down this video. Why???? I have about 5 people I watch regularly on youtube who I think to myself " If I could just work with you for awhile I would learn so much" and April is one of them. What a champ. I'm really trying not to sound sycophantic here. My praise is sincere. Keep up the good work April and keep these coming. I am about to remodel my back yard and I need all the help I can get

[@derrickervin4967]

Not complaining about the build, but notching the rafters make them weaker. Great job .

[@deanoh6414]

Have seen them rebated both ends on other videos.

[@rubencasillas1794]

Wow what a talented young lady

[@iamthejake2000]

I may have missed something, but how are the posts attached to the floor? Thanks and good work.

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

Awesome April!

[@axiomNES]

Nice Porch!

[@beckymarsh583]

Awesome porch

[@fififinance7469]

Quarantine made me do it 😀💪

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

Ye, there is a porch on my list, but I don't think I will be building it as I don't do heights.

[@JonnyDIY]

Hmm how were posts attached to deck? 🤔

[@ZeoCyberG]

Same way they were attached before, he reused the original deck posts... Look closely at the video and you can make out the bracket under the posts...

[@JonnyDIY]

@@ZeoCyberG ohh ok can see a little bracket maybe. Just anchored to deck boards

[@idontthinkso666]

Jonny DIY No, that bracket does not attach them to the deck. It is a stand-off bracket. It just provides a gap so the end of the post doesn’t sit in water and wick it up into the post to rot it out.

[@patriciagalloway9983]

You did a wonderful job! Looks great

[@sheilasantiago3715]

Absolutely fabulous

[@waynerountree9284]

Looks amazing great work thanks for sharing

[@frankstover3444]

AWESOME!!! YOUR A ROCK STAR!!!

[@mikegermain7033]

Good day April love your videos but most of all how you started and where you are today. I'm a father of three girls l love them all but I'm still the handyman. Your parents are very lucky! Keep up the great videos.

[@bosse641]

What a lovely porch. ...and homestead :o)

[@yekaterinapanferova1410]

Well done. Good work .

[@OriginalMomo]

That came out nice, AND you seem to have had a blast

[@BuddhatheBlackDog]

Perfect narration.

[@stkbkr1]

April, I love your website and the store is awesome!

[@mike.the.estimator704]

Love watching your vids! I also think is cool how the regoinal terminology is different from Texas to NC. What you called a header on pt 1, I would call a ledger or the drop girder would be a double band. But who cares!!! For your hangers, you should invest in a PT nailer. I have a Bostitch F33PT, it is up to a 3-1/2" framing or 1-1/2" hanger nailer that meets code in most areas. It is pneumatic and not battery but is a beast. Otherwise keep up the good work!!

[@jeffreyjohn2037]

Looks like no hangers were used. And the notch on the house end of the joists doesn't make any sense.

[@donaldtrabeaux5235]

Awesome job

[@BeckyBlanton]

What a beautiful porch! Good job!

[@pteddie6965]

Great job on this porch. I have enjoyed watching you there in Greg's shop creating, but I think I enjoyed the porch build more (caveman stuff comin' thru, huh?).

[@carolinekloppert5177]

Loved this... learned a couple of good things, thank you

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@DanWeston3893]

Watching his video caused me some concern with how those posts appear to not be attached to the ground in substantial way. The whole structure of the deck and the porch are on 5 or 6 concrete blocks. Wind could lift this whole structure off the front of the house. I know building codes can be different. I get 60 mph wind storms in my area and you have to attach everything you build into the ground. I'm wondering if this is a workshop and not a house so maybe it's not as much of a concern if nobody lives in the structure.

[@Mio_Azusa]

I don't understand how you guys were able to fix the posts on its base, somebody please explain it

[@dylandrouin3085]

Probably a type of post socket ,its a bent piece of metal that fastens through the deck and then to the post

[@atoka]

It's most likely just toe-nailed in and will get trim wrapped around it

[@oodoodoopoopoo]

@@atoka - if you look at 0:20 The post bases are already attached to the bottom of the post. These look like the aluminum pedestal type bases which typically don't have an attachment point for the floor. Not sure if they are doing molding but it would help. Without any molding the only way to guarantee the post not to shift would be if they reached under the deck and drove a bolt up through the middle.

[@atoka]

@@oodoodoopoopoo It looked to me like he had chamfered the base to reduce the footprint a little... Now that I've said that in my head I can't think of a reason to do it so you are probably right. I blame failing eyesight.

[@rmaloney9976]

It looks like a post base for a 4x4 post pre-attached to these 8x8’s. Therefore eliminating any way to anchor to the deck properly. One of many building code violations regarding attachments, and load bearing. Most of the columns are floating with no load path to the foundation which is also missing

[@michaelodonoghue7464]

Speaking of Templates: It was decided to Line the Back Wall of an Industrial Shed with Tongue and Grove Floorboards running Vertically. These Boards came in 12 Foot Lengths. The Wall measurement Floor to Roof was 123 Inches (10 Foot 3 Inches). Two of Us were assigned the Task of cutting the 12 Foot Floorboards to Length. Long Story short. We both Cut Template Boards, from which We Cut all of the rest. All of his Boards were Cut to 10 Foot and 3 Inches. All of My Boards were Cut to 10 Foot and 3 Centimetres. Simple enough Mistake and I was the one who made it. For Twenty Two Years every 2nd Board on the Back Wall was deliberately Shy of the Ground, We called it a Design Feature to Allow Rat Poison to be discreetly placed. For Years a Skirting Board was infrequently Mentioned, but somehow never eventuated.

[@idontthinkso666]

Michael O'Donoghue Seriously dude, what’s up with the random capitalization? How do you decide which words to make into proper nouns?

[@bigearlrrr]

If you had the tractor why wouldn't you have used it to set the the rafters and purlins ?

[@cherylhuhn6180]

Such talents

[@johnlee7085]

As always, great video. We’re going to do something similar soon.

[@Noclpro28]

Why do the posts not get secured into the deck?

[@jeffreyjohn2037]

I don't understand why the joists were notched on the house end. Hangers and the proper angle on the end cut would be my construction method. And how were the posts fastened to the deck?