Porch flooring remodel for a durable and quality finish
The porch stands the test of time as a true architectural icon, adding comfort and value to your home. Time stops when you are sitting in a rocking chair, reading the paper during golden hour, enjoying sundown from your historical home’s porch. We know the feeling. We also know you love your home dearly and care about its integrity and authenticity. Water damage and time will affect your beloved porch. But once you decide to work on your porch renovation project you need to aim for a durable and quality finish.
With our expertise in decking, we have gathered some tips for starting a historical porch remodel project. We will guide you through deciding whether to salvage or replace your porch decking for your Victorian type home. What historic guidelines do you need to take into consideration? And what is the best type of wood for the porch floor for a Victorian home?
Tongue-And-Groove (T&G) porch decking guidelines
If your Victorian home is situated in a historic district, it is essential for us to maintain historic design guidelines. This requires a historic design review and approval by the Historic Landmarks Commission before we could start the porch renovation project.
Tongue-And-Groove (T&G) porch decking get approval by the Historic Landmarks Commission
Most Victorian houses from the 1900s have Tongue-And-Groove (T&G) porch decking. T&G boards consist of a “tongue” on one side and an interlocking “groove” on the other side. The T&G style is popular for porch decking and ceilings, wall coverings, and sidings.
Porch flooring: repair or replace?
Deck owners can sometimes only afford repairs, which typically means replacing the deck boards and railings. The last thing they want to hear is that they have to replace everything. But sometimes there’s no choice. Usually, the original decking has to be replaced because of rot and moisture damage over time.
It is the condition of the frame that determines whether or not the deck can be salvaged. If the framing material isn’t pressure treated, unpainted, and not made of durable wood such as Douglas Fir, Cyprus, or Heart Pine, usually it’s a lost cause.
If the porch is beyond repair an architectural design specialist needs to replicate the existing porch design while removing the poor framing details supporting the porch.
What is the best wood for Victorian porch floor renovation?
The key is selecting the best type of wood material to make sure your time, energy, and money invested in your home’s porch floor renovation last several decades.
Black Locust has a natural longevity of 50+ years. It has water resistance and rot resistance without the help of any chemicals or oil treatments. This makes Black Locust a perfect wood choice for sustainable architectural projects.
Tongue-And-Groove (T&G) made of rot-resistant Black Locust wood material.
When you buy an old home it needs restoration and tender loving care. What’s old is new again and it is worth restoring the old to retain the historical. If you follow the guidelines and maintain its historical integrity, then you are a homeowner who cares.
