Restored Victorian Porch

AFTER

While the restored porch is larger than the original structure, the columns and trimwork were all recreated from old photographs and original pieces found on site.

BEFORE

When New Prairie began working on the house, there was a dilapidated original side porch and a front porch that was built in the 1980s.  Both of these had to be removed so we could start from scratch.

In order to make the curved part of the porch roof,  a full-size template was made on site, then transported back to our shop.  Fifteen sheets of high-quality 1/4" luan were laminated together with exterior-grade glue, and the piece was clamped to a giant jig of plywood and 2x4 blocking.

The beautiful curving roof takes shape.

While the work continues underneath, the roofers begin installing the copper roof to match the rest of the house.

The porch flooring is installed in a herringbone pattern.

Green ceiling beadboard covers security and electrical wiring.

The column trim began life at the New Praire shop, as individual pieces.  Each column had 52 separate pieces of trim that had to be fabricated, put together, painted, and installed.

Elaborate templates were made and each of these trim pieces were cut and sanded by hand.

A mock-up of the porch column allowed us to make sure the paint scheme would look right.

Victorian trim (often referred to as "gingerbread") is painstakingly applied to the porch.  Many of the pieces were repeatedly kerfed on the back side to allow them to bend around the curve.

The exterior of the house is nearly finished.  The brickwork has been repointed with historically correct lime mortar; chimneys and cupola have been rebuilt; corbels, occuli, and shutters are repaired and reinstalled; and the porch is receiving its last bit of touch-up.