This is our journal of what we pray is our sojourn of life (Hebrews 11:8-10) along the narrow way (Matthew 7:14), even the old paths (Jeremiah 6:16), submitting to the Bible as a light unto both (Psalms 119:105). It is our prayer that these documented moments in our earthly time benefit whom God might choose to edify, but ultimately that God glorifies Himself through them.

A House – Update XII – Porch Roof

With the porch post cross beams now in place, it was time to move onto adding the porch rafters and plywood. I wanted to do this so that we would have something to walk on when we starting putting up the main roof.

We started with a header plate against the house, to which the rafters would be fixed. Eventually, the plan is to lag bolt this plate to the wall studs:

Porch Roof Rafter Header Plate

We needed then to position the cross beams equidistant from the house. Here are some braces in place to hold them there:

Porch Roof Cross Beam Braces

And then the rafters started going up:

Porch Roof Rafters

Mr. Gurau, who has been helping with the house, cut seats into the rafters as well, so more of the rafter is touching the cross beam, thus making it sturdier:

Porch Roof Rafters Seat Cut

Once the rafters were in place, it was time to run a chalk line across each rafter, cut each rafter, and install the face plate:

Porch Roof Rafters with Face Plate

Here is how Mr. Gurau did the hip corners of the porch roof:

Porch Roof Rafters Hip Rafters
Porch Roof Rafters Hip Rafters Full View

He also added some of the rafter hangers now in the corners to give them more support, as the hip rafter itself holds most of the corner weight:

Porch Roof Rafters Hip Rafter Hangers Installed

Once the rafters and face plate were built, it was time to add the plywood on top. It was recommended that we use actual (CDX) plywood, 1/2″ thick, rather than OSB, as the CDX will stand up to weather better, and the underneath of the plywood at best will be painted only (and maybe not even that):

Porch Rafters Plywood First Row Bottom View
Porch Rafters Plywood First Row Top View

And here are some pictures of all of the plywood installed:

Porch Rafters Plywood Complete Bottom Long View
Porch Rafters Plywood Complete Bottom Side View
Porch Rafters Plywood Complete Top View

Here’s how the hip corners look from the top:

Porch Rafters Plywood Hip View

It’s been a long time since this whole house project started, and with being able to stand in the shade of the porch now, it’s starting to feel like a house. It’s also starting to get a little more exciting; but we’ve learned out here to relax expectations, as most often things don’t go according to our plans (which, if we trust God and His plans, is a much better place in which to be!). This is the view out the front door:

Porch View Out the Front Door

And out the great room windows:

Porch View Out the Great Room Windows

And here’s a full external view of the porch roof:

Porch Roof Rafters and Plywood Complete

Here’s a calf enjoying the new shade too!

Calf in the Shade of the Porch Roof

We are thankful to the Lord for allowing continued progress on the house, and for the help in Mr. Gurau and his expertise.

— David

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Thanks for sharing your awesome porch roof project and details about its construction. Praise God for His provision of materials, knowledge and help in construction!

    Is that calf hinting for a shaded porch on a calf shed of it's own? Ha! Cute picture.

    God bless your further progress!

    Beth

  2. David and Susan Sifford

    Hi Beth,

    Yes, we are grateful for God's provisions. Thanks for saying hello, and for the blessings.

    — David

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