Porchbuilding, Maine style

7/23 Laying the floor

Around 1999 we decided to build a screen porch on our cabin in Northern Minnesota. Many hands helped over 2 summers to clear, excavate, deck, and build a roof on a 10x24 deck. Lack of experience, inadequate bracing, and strong Minnesota winter winds brought the roof to the ground. Wiser then, we had a professional rebuild it, and it has since withstood the weather. We enjoyed it greatly.

7/24 Walls going up

When we contemplated adding a porch to our Maine house, we never hesitated to find a good builder to do the job. Recommendations were received, calls were made, and by February, we had a working plan and a verbal agreement. By early June, a building permit was in hand. Work would begin in July.

Begin it did. Progress has been good, only a few glitches have diverted the track, and we expect to be more or less finished by the end of next week. We are leaving some finishing touches for our own hands, like adding indoor/outdoor carpet and putting the interior trim and walls up.

7/28 Adding Rafters

Our contractor/carpenter is Ian Young, of Warren, ME. He has hired his brother on, and they work together remarkably well. And they do great work. If anything, I would say the porch is overbuilt... but then, my last attempt fell down, didn't it.

After experiencing the heat of the summer sun under the unadorned roof in Minnesota, we've spent the money to insulate the roof and the floor, which should make the space comfortable in three seasons. The windows and doors are first quality, though not flashy. The exterior siding will be vinyl, closely matching the rest of the house. Azec trim boards will never need paint. Perhaps the only drawback is that the rest of the house looks a bit shabby next to the new construction.

7/30 Shingles on the roof

While it won't be finished for a week, we ate our second meal out there tonight. It's a wonderful, light space. We think we'll really enjoy it.

I'll report on it again when it's done.