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Elmwood Neighborhood > Episode 10: Front Porch Restoration

Restoring the Front Porch

Project: Elmwood Neighborhood, Episode 10, Part 1

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: Originally built in 1895 for executives of the Gorum Silver Company, the house has some unique features, such as a pagoda style turret and a façade with dormer. The other side of the house has an eyebrow dormer with a shed dormer just above it. Inside the house has impressive mantles, a gracious stairway, pocket doors, parquet floors, and shaped windows.

There is a great deal water damage to the porch. The roof must be removed and reframed with new ceiling joists.

Architect Alan Berry talks with Bob about the home's original architect, Howard K. Hilton, a professional known for interesting, "funky" details. They look at the plans for the new porch, which call for more traditional-looking columns.

The porch deck is demolished. It comes down with very little resistance, indicating extensive damage. Carpenter ants have infested the interior. The porch deck framing, however, is sound, and the mason gets started repairing the brick foundation.

Carpenter Bob Ryley works with contractor Terry Bates to attach the new columns and get started on the new roof. The columns hold up the new LVL beams supporting the roof.

Next, the cheek walls are framed, and the rafters of dimensional lumber are placed into the joist hangers. A new bench is installed, as well.
Part 2: Weaving Cedar Shingles and Prepping Damaged Wood Trim for Painting
Part 3: Painting Shingles and Shutters, Landscaping, and Hardscaping
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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