Opening Up a Front Porch

Opening Up a Front Porch

by | Oct 3, 2022 | Home Improvement

When the house at the end of the cul-de-sac hasn’t changed in 28 years, it’s time for some front porch rehab.

This house belongs to Jeff and Eliese McAllister. The couple, known as Lolli and Pop to their grandchildren, want to update the front porch on “Camp Lollipop” so their grandchildren can enjoy their front yard as much as their children did while growing up.

The porch is blocked off by tall shrubs and is too narrow for the couple to comfortably sit and watch their grandchildren play.

And that’s where we can help!

The Projects

“Open concept” isn’t just for interiors! We’re opening up this front porch.

Opening Up the Front Porch

Removing the shrubs and handrails blocking Jeff and Eliese’s front-yard view is our first big job.

We have to pressure-wash the house to create a clean slate to start our work. Jeff and I remove shrubs, with the help of the couple’s grandsons, while Chelsea and Eliese tackle the handrails. 

This is what happens when your wood isn’t treated before painting or staining it.

Because the wood handrails aren’t treated, they are rotting away. So, knocking them out with a sledgehammer is the best way to open up the porch — and, maybe, release some tension along the way.

After removing the handrails, we apply putty and sand the columns so it’s like they were never there, to begin with.

Repairing siding isn’t just a cosmetic fix; it can prevent bigger problems later on if the elements enter your home.

Repairing the Shutters and Dormers

This curb appeal makeover requires more than opening up the front porch. We’ve noticed some problems that needed immediate fixes!

First, we repair the ground floor’s damaged shutters. Then, we get up on the roof to repair siding on the dormers. Of the 12 shutters on the front of this house, just one set has a little wood rot. So, Jeff doesn’t want to replace them all.

Since none of these pieces were standard lumber sizes, we had to cut them down on the table saw. Chelsea used the old pieces as a pattern to cut new pieces from the fiber cement material.

A Woodcraft WoodRiver General Purpose Carbide Tipped Saw Blade comes in handy when you need to make custom cuts.

Fortunately, we had a new Woodcraft WoodRiver General Purpose Carbide Tipped Saw Blade. Matching the angles on the bottom piece was a little trickier, but once we primed the wood and put the pieces in place, it worked pretty well!

This front porch is coming along, but it could use more character. We will paint the porch to add some.

Painting the Front Porch

After all the repairs were done, we put a fresh coat of paint on the siding, trim and front porch ceiling. The green shutters clashed with the red-tinted wood door, so we painted them gray to tone it down.

The painted pattern adds a pop of color to this front porch.

The concrete on the front porch has seen better days. Instead of gutting the concrete, we painted a pattern on it using a stencil! It’s a great way to give your concrete a fresh look without breaking the bank.

Watch “How to Stencil a Pattern on a Concrete Porch” for the step-by-step guide and materials list.

Spreading out the new flowerbeds adds to the open feeling.

Planting New Flowerbeds

Next, we added some fresh landscaping. Before, the plants were too concentrated at the front of the porch, so we spread them out to maintain the open space feel.

Finally, we put down a fresh layer of pine straw to finish off the flowerbed.

We also:

  • Added address numbers to the porch column
  • Removed the intercom/doorbell
  • Installed a new porch light
  • Installed soffit vents
  • Replaced the rocking chairs
“Today’s Homeowner” hosts Danny Lipford and Chelsea Lipford Wolf, pictured with Jeff and Eliese McAllister.

Post-Production Thoughts

This front porch rehab really brings things full circle: Jeff and Eliese’s kids grew up here, and now they’re seeing their grandkids grow here.

At one point, the couple thought about selling the house. But with this new front yard, they’re happy to be able to stay in the home they raised their kids, and now, their grandkids as well.

And we did it all for just $1,200 in materials.

More Inspiration

Upgrade an Old Concrete Porch with a Painted Pattern

Upgrade an Old Concrete Porch with a Painted Pattern

by | Jan 31, 2022 | Home Improvement

If you want to give your concrete porch some extra flair, paint a pattern on it! Using a stencil makes this a do-it-yourself friendly project.

You don’t need special skills or tools to tackle this project, but do you need patience and time, because attention to detail is a must!

Materials Needed

  • Stencil kit
  • Paint
  • Paint roller
  • Tape

1. Pick a Pattern

Before you begin, find a pattern you like. The stencil kit we’re using on this project includes two pattern types: a smaller version for edges and a larger version for wide-open spaces.

Registration marks on the stencil edges ensure proper alignment for the next application.

Homeowners carefully position the stencil before painting
The key to painting an even pattern is to perfect the stencil’s position.

2. Perfect the Position

Remember that attention to detail? It starts before you even paint a thing!

Precision is key, so it’s important to carefully tape the stencil in the middle of the space, and then work toward the edges.

Working from the inside out helps to keep the pattern even across the entire surface.  

A couple paints a blue pattern on a concrete floor with a stencil
When you paint over the stencil, do so in one direction — never back and forth.

3. Paint, Paint, Paint

Paint over the surface in one direction. We’re using a One Part Epoxy Coating designed specifically for concrete. 

To avoid bleed-through, remove the excess paint from the roller each time you dip it in the tray. It’s also a good idea to wipe the paint off the underside of the stencil after each application. 

For sharp pattern edges and a clean look, take your time while applying, removing and painting the stencil. 

Painted concrete porch, stenciled in light blue
This formerly plain concrete floor now has some style, and the transformation cost less than $100!

Costs

It doesn’t cost much to transform an old, worn-out concrete porch into a stylish surface for gliders, rocking chairs and outdoor sofas.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for this project:

Further Reading