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Elmwood Neighborhood > Episode 10: Front Porch Restoration

Painting Shingles and Shutters, Landscaping, and Hardscaping

Project: Elmwood Neighborhood, Episode 10, Part 3

Paul Stark and Amelia Henderson are the owners of the ninth Elmwood neighborhood project house. They plan to convert the front porch into an outdoor entertainment area.

Bob talks with architect Alan Berry about his plans for the porch, and contractor Terry Bates gets demolition underway. Carpenter Bob Ryley helps with the ceiling joists, and he and Bob talk about the new columns that have gone up. The front façade is getting a new paint job, and Randy Withers (from Withers Custom Shutters) and Bob discuss the shutters. Landscape work takes place, including the creation of a cobblestone edgeway and installation of a new sprinkler system.

Finally, Bob tours the finished porch with the homeowners. Pier 1 furniture and an outdoor sound system from Sonance are featured. Additional information is available about hydroseeding lawns and creating custom millwork.

Part 1: Restoring the Front Porch
Part 2: Weaving Cedar Shingles and Prepping Damaged Wood Trim for Painting
Part 3: Painting Shingles and Shutters, Landscaping, and Hardscaping: Contractors put the finishing touches on the front porch by adding new Yellow Pine shutters and a coat of Sherwin Williams latex paint to the exterior. The Sherwin Williams latex paint product is Duration, which is 70% thicker than regular latex paints and easy to apply.

The shutters are being restored before being put back on the house. Randy Withers (from Withers Industries) talks about how the shutters are made from pressure-treated re-kiln-dried Southern Pine, which is close to furniture grade. The shutters are ready to take alkyd-based primer and then two coats of finish. The hardware for the shutters is wrought-steel with zinc coating.

Pressure-treated posts are added to the front porch in preparation for the installation of the new custom railing and balusters. Landscaping gets underway; fieldstone is delivered for the front walkway. Grey granite cobblestones are brought in to make an edged border. A shrub border goes down along the walkway and a sprinkler system is installed.
Part 4: The Font Porch, Façade, and Yard

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 6 - Restoring a "Bench" Porch
Episode 7 - Restoring the Front Porch
Episode 8 - Front Porch and Bathroom
Episode 9 - Two More Porch Renovations
Episode 11 - Attic Demolition and Countertops
Episode 12 - Workout Room
Episode 13 - Project Wrap-Up

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