Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Porch beam--wrapping options
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bmears
04-10-05, 12:36 PM
I'm using low-maintenace materials to build my new front porch. The posts and railing are polyurethane; the porch ceiling will be some sort of polyurethane tongue-and-groove material, and the trim (doors/windows) will be vinyl. The siding is vinyl.
My porch beam (the beam that sits on the posts) needs to be exactly four inches thick. I'm debating how to build this beam so that it too is low-maintenance.
I first thought that I'd build it from 2X lumber & plywood (sandwich) then glue some sort of thin pvc or vinyl wrap (trim coil) over the face and bottom. I figure that could or will buckle or warp badly.
I then found a product at Home Depot that is some sort of pvc material. It looks and feels like MDF but it's plastic. I don't think it expands and contracts much differently than wood. It's prefinished in white, and I could use it to 'box' around an inner beam. This product is pretty lightweight, so I think the inner beam would need to carry most of the weight--I'd be sure to design the inner beam to adequately support the weight.
I'm also open to any other ideas--maybe a product or method that I'm not familiar with. It could be as simple as a low-maintenance/easy clean paint over a standard-type beam.
So, do any of you have any suggestions, comments or ideas? I'd love to hear them. Thanks,
Brian
My porch beam (the beam that sits on the posts) needs to be exactly four inches thick. I'm debating how to build this beam so that it too is low-maintenance.
I first thought that I'd build it from 2X lumber & plywood (sandwich) then glue some sort of thin pvc or vinyl wrap (trim coil) over the face and bottom. I figure that could or will buckle or warp badly.
I then found a product at Home Depot that is some sort of pvc material. It looks and feels like MDF but it's plastic. I don't think it expands and contracts much differently than wood. It's prefinished in white, and I could use it to 'box' around an inner beam. This product is pretty lightweight, so I think the inner beam would need to carry most of the weight--I'd be sure to design the inner beam to adequately support the weight.
I'm also open to any other ideas--maybe a product or method that I'm not familiar with. It could be as simple as a low-maintenance/easy clean paint over a standard-type beam.
So, do any of you have any suggestions, comments or ideas? I'd love to hear them. Thanks,
Brian
jay_myself
04-10-05, 03:36 PM
The lightweight plastic stuff sounds good. ask at home depot if the product is weatherproof.
I know of a product called "royal wood". it comes in 1x4/6/8/10/12. look it up on google os something and it probably will be available at a lumber yard. this same company also makes a 6" tongue and groove beaded porch ceiling type product. royal wood can be a little pricy though. there are othe alternatives Azec is also waterproof, but doesn't have the shiny white appearance of royal. you have to paint azec. (not sure i am spelling azec right btw)
another option you might want to consider is wrapping with aluminum. it gets a little tricky without a break. Thats a thing siding guys use to bend aluminum straight. But if it's a long straight piece, you might be able to do it by hand if you have a few helpers.
good luck.
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I know of a product called "royal wood". it comes in 1x4/6/8/10/12. look it up on google os something and it probably will be available at a lumber yard. this same company also makes a 6" tongue and groove beaded porch ceiling type product. royal wood can be a little pricy though. there are othe alternatives Azec is also waterproof, but doesn't have the shiny white appearance of royal. you have to paint azec. (not sure i am spelling azec right btw)
another option you might want to consider is wrapping with aluminum. it gets a little tricky without a break. Thats a thing siding guys use to bend aluminum straight. But if it's a long straight piece, you might be able to do it by hand if you have a few helpers.
good luck.
POST EDITED: Derogative remarks, comments, claims and or statements, etc. in reference to and or about products, parts and or services rendered by manufacturers, companies, dealers, agents, service personal and or representatives will not be tolerated nor allowed.
Posts that are off the topic of discussion in the DoItYourself.com Community Forums are not allowed. Posts that interject non beneficial generic conversational communications, contain jokes, and/or sarcasm are not allowed.