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Elmwood Neighborhood > Episode 6: Restoring a "Bench" Porch

House Five: Queen Anne Victorian Porch Restoration

Project: Elmwood Neighborhood, Episode 6, Part 1

Bob joins homeowner Judi Lee for a restoration project involving a side "bench porch" that has been badly damaged by water and decay.

Carpenters Bob Ryley and Terry Bates are on site, and, before starting demolition, Terry explains the scope of the job. Next, Bob checks in with Amadeo DiRocco, who is doing some masonry foundation repair.

Terry continues work with new shingles, new railings from Forester Moulding, and new Chadsworth's columns.

Steps are taken to prevent future water damage to the richly-hued exterior. And last, a new screen door is hung, right as the landscaping (including the installation of a new sprinkler system) gets underway.

Part 1: House Five: Queen Anne Victorian Porch Restoration: The owner of the fifth Elmwood project house wants the front porch, built in 1892, to be replaced. Bob Ryley works with Mult-R Construction contractor Terry Bates to do some exploratory demolition.

Having taken down the railing on the second-floor porch, and having looked closely at the railing, they find that none of the original porch can be salvaged. The whole thing will have to be re-milled by Forester Moulding and Lumber.

The ceiling and roof rafters look solid, but there is a great deal damage to the columns and post basin, as well as a deteriorating foundation underneath.

The mortar used in the foundation contained a lot of lime. The lime took in moisture. The replacement foundation for the porch is going to be rebuilt with concrete block that has a brick veneer.
Part 2: Porch Restoration: Custom Reproduction Moldings and Chatsworth's Columns
Part 3: Porch Railing and Screen Door Installation
Part 4: Final Tour of the Restored "Bench" Porch House

The theme of community building in the historic Elmwood neighborhood of Providence, RI, is the focus of this project. Rather than tackling one house, Bob Vila is helping 11 neighbors tackle smaller projects like porches, kitchens, bathrooms, and even a third-floor artist's studio.

Also from Elmwood Neighborhood

Episode 1 - Kitchen Project Begins
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Description:
In the historic Elmwood neighborhood of Providence, RI, Bob talks with Mary Turkel and Bob Major (from the Providence Preservation Cooperative) about the changes taking place in the area. Bob also meets Jane and Luke Driver, whose kitchen renovation is one of the smaller scale projects Bob plans to cover. As demolition work begins, so too does plumbing and electrical. Also to come is a new kitchen floor made from reclaimed Pine.
Episode 2 - Appliances and Deck Installed
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Description:
At the Gothic Carpenter-style home in the Elmwood neighborhood of Providence, RI, plaster and blue board are going up, and the pine floor is going down. In addition to a granite countertop, new Whirlpool appliances are installed. Other new features in the kitchen include Shrock cabinets, a Vermont Castings gas stove, and lighting design (from Markus Earley) that depends on Restoration-style fixtures from Rejuvenation Lamp & Fixture Co. Outside, contractor Brian Wiggin completes the new deck.
Episode 3 - Bathroom Renovation Begins
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Description:
Bob visits Pat and Roger Simons, homeowners undertaking a bathroom renovation. The plan is to redesign the layout, but keep some of the original features-- the mosaic tiles in the floor, for example. Bob helps Terry Bates (from Mult-R) with the demolition, and carpenter Bob Ryley is on hand to help with the insulation. A new tub is put in, along with a new stackable washer/dryer. Lighting designer Markus Earley talks about the lighting in the new bathroom, plus an innovative hydronic heating system. Last, Bob goes to Pat's studio, where her daughter, PK, is helping create a beautiful tile mural that will go in the shower.
Episode 4 - Sunroom and Hot Tub
Episode 7 - Restoring the Front Porch
Episode 8 - Front Porch and Bathroom
Episode 9 - Two More Porch Renovations
Episode 10 - Front Porch Restoration
Episode 11 - Attic Demolition and Countertops
Episode 12 - Workout Room
Episode 13 - Project Wrap-Up

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