How do I replace my rotten porch posts?

Question

My house has a porch approx 7 feet from front to back and 11 feet wide. The base of the porch is concrete and it has 2 wooden posts supporting the porch roof. The wooden posts are starting to rot at the base so I want to replace them.

I was thinking of using PT 6x6 posts which I will let dry out and then prime and paint before installation. Will this be ok?

How should I attach the posts to the concrete and the roof to ensure they will be well secured?

Will I be able to attach a wooden railing once I've attached the posts?

Answer 1

lol

Answer 2

First get an 8' treated 6" x 6" Post. Cut it in half and place each half under the porch roof beam at a diagonal on each corner of the porch. Take 3" screws and s***w it into the porch beam back from the corners.

Now something sturdy around the house, like concrete blocks,pc. 3/4" plywood and place these on the ground to rest your temporary braces on.

Cut 2 4" x  4" posts to fit up under the end of your chunk of 6" x6"s at each corner. Wedge them  up tight under the 6" x6" and fasten at top and bottom.

Now you can remove your old posts.

I would do a scaled drawing of your porch and see what size posts looks good. If it were mine I would probably laminate 4 layers of treated 2" x 6"s together to form your posts. Sometimes treated posts warp,twist,bow - but if you laminate 4 pcs. of 2" x 6" together it works better.

You can purchase a metal base plate for these posts made by *Simpson. It anchors to concrete and wraps around post at the bottom.

I would put up the posts and then wrap them with aluminum coil stock or cedar.

Even if you use 6" x 6" treated posts - they will split,warp and not look very good, so you may want to wrap them or put on cedar.

Remove temporary braces, you are done

Answer 3

You can buy buckets that s***w to the concrete and the 4 sides fold up and you nail it to the sides of the post, cut a 1 x 6 PTand make a skirt . Strap the top also,and put a 1 x 4 crown at the top. Yes you can cut the handrail to fit back in. Nice little project, Good luck !

Answer 4

Concrete anchors and a couple of 90'angles,then just use heavy gauge wood screws.You can paint before or after and add railings.Sounds like a cool idea.She'll look good when complete and sturdy.

Answer 5

you can put the post in the ,you can pant it later. secured the post with concete s***w on the bottom and s***w top with wood s***w. that will hold them in place. and you can put your railing back on .