HELP How do I Make Mission Style Porch Posts [Archive] - Home Construction Forums

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nurcyn
11-03-2004, 05:59 PM
This is my first post so I hope I am posting to the correct forum. We have two porch posts (4" x 4" pressure treated) that I want to build up into a mission tapered style, nice and wide. I also want to do stone on the bottom 4'. How would I accomplish this?

1. How do I build the 4' lower base so I can add cultured stone to base? I know I have to use a vapor barrier against the wood frame but how do I get the wood frame started from the bottom up? Do I build a lip out 2' (width I want the posts) and screw those into the concrete) and then build up from there?

2. What type of wood do I use to build up the columns? Can I use LP siding? Or do I use primed sprice which I hear is very expensive?

3. How can I figure out how wide the posts should be so they are proportionate tthe rest of the house?

4. What tools will I need?

I have no hands on construction experience but LOVE refinishing furniture and always loved working with wood. I really want to tacke this project. I acted as GC building our new custom home and had no problems whatsoever.AND I had no help at all from hubby. Oh and did I tell you I did it in only 3 months? I even designed a wood working shop for myself in the back of the garage and hope to learn how to build furniture. OK Ill stop tootin my horn now and you can stop laughin at me. Hope my goal is not too ambitious but I really want to do this by myself and for myself. Thanks for your help
cyn

Rich
11-03-2004, 07:39 PM
Moved to trim...
Fairly difficult to explain how but I'll give it a try. You're on the right track for the bottom - some type of frame attached to concrete to attach vertical boards to. You should probably think about some type of waterproofing also - as water will be right up next to the base. PT wood for the framing there would be a wise choice.
From there you'll need to find out what angle for the taper you'll want. I don't really have any guidelines to give you on this - just whatever looks good to your eye.
You'll want to put some type of frame at the top - once you figure out how big that will be. Once you get that you can lay up a wide board from top to bottom. Temporarily attach this top and bottom so it doesn't move. Then on the back side you can snap a line from top to bottom on both edges. Cut 2 exact copies from that template. The other 2 sides will be wider by double the thickness of the material you are using. If you're not comfortable with that you can temporarily attach the pieces and lay your last pieces over and scribe right to it.
Hope that helps.

Tom R
11-04-2004, 10:57 AM
I'm not sure if 'mission' style is tapered all the way, but I like to make tapered columns 'Roman' style, - - that is the bottom 2/3 of the column is consistent, then the top 1/3 tapers anywhere from 85 to 95% of full width at the top. Gives a strong, bold look.

As far as the actual size, I'd suggest you 'experiment' on graph paper. And keep in mind columns always look better too wide, rather than too narrow. Nothing worse than what I call the 'matchstick' look!

Cole
11-17-2004, 06:36 PM
Nothing worse than what I call the 'matchstick' look!

Toothpick Buddy, Toothpick :D

Tom R
11-17-2004, 07:45 PM
Ahhh, - - Nitpick! :D