Back to the Porch Ceiling
We don’t really have a porch, but that’s the best name we’ve got for the underside of the cantilever out back. This project has been on hold for years, so here’s a recap:
When I bought the place the bay was crudely stuccoed and the underside of it was clad in that faux rustic textured siding that sheds are clad with.
Aside from the crudeness, it was all painted the dreariest shade of green possible.
I was just gonna paint the stucco since making it actually look good is a lot of effort to give the neighbors something pretty to look at while all I see is their ugly siding. But when I was enlarging that single window in the back bedroom I found that the back side of the stucco was damp! And then everything came off.
And imagine my surprise when under the shed siding I found something nice! Aside from that, I decided to install new fiber cement siding on a rain screen. That means I added strips of wood so the siding would be spaced out from the wall, leaving room for it to dry. I finished the bottom with a water table, or a strip of molding with a drip cap, that was big enough to cover the crookedness of the bay and the space behind the siding.
This whole process took… 7 weeks! You’ll notice that the colors I used on the back of the house have nothing to do with the front. I was committed to white trim on the back by the time I started this project, and it was important to me to keep it as bright and cheery as possible.
Then came the patio door, and the Irishman insisted on ripping out a few rows of the beadboard I was so excited about to verify that the joists were intact. Even though a few years earlier we had already gotten a clear view of them.
After that, the water table I installed was in the way of the new kitchen exhaust vent. So out it came, and I’ve been living with it like this ever since. Note: the trim is PVC so I’m not inviting rot by stuccoing around it.
Now that we’re up to date, I’ve decided it’s time to finish the job. First, I had to remove the first piece of beadboard still in place, which was damaged when the others were ripped out. To get it free without messing up the tongue and groove in the next piece, I stood on a step ladder holding a circular saw upside down and plunge cut it over my head. Then Tito and I put in new beadboard, which is a little more new and perfect than what’s left of the original, but oh well. And the piece of water table in conflict with the exhaust vent? We trimmed it down and got it back in. And I was all too eager to get the sky blue paint onto the new wood.
So, with the steps backwards undone, the situation looks much better. We still have some big unfinished gaps around the beadboard and awkward spots where crooked and level come together. That’s up next.
8 Responses
I always loved vintage homes and neighborhoods like yours-tried to talk my husband into “the fan” in Richmond Va but he was well aware what an older home would entail for his leisure hours so that was a resounding NO!-still when I see how small the neighbors “yard” is with a small child to entertain I am glad we have slightly more yard with huge trees that guarantee a brown yard of dirt-no grass and too old to create a shade garden. Next owner- We have improved this, our seventh house, enough-let somebody else come up with the brawn,brains and sob-$$$$$$$$$$$! Keep on keeping on Chad you are working miracles….
Yeah, the South Philly yard size is definitely a drawback, but there’s a lot to do in the neighborhood. I don’t have friends or relatives coming over with children very often and before Tito never had a relative stay overnight either.
It’s looking fantastic!
i can’t BELIEVE you held a circular saw upside down to cut wood over your head. Actually I can believe it, based on that crazy scary ladder you’ve climbed out front that’s like 7 stories tall and looks like a strong wind could blow it over! BUT OMG!!!
That’s quite a transformation! Now you can actually use this space without risking depression. I hope the neighbors appreciate their improved view!
Hi Chad, I found your blog yesterday and have devoured all of your entries. My parents lived at 1410 West Ritner Street in the mid 50’s when it once had its charming features like the bay window and detailing that is still present on 1414. Now 1410 only has its cornice feature still present. You probably live close by and are pained to see the many ways these historic homes have been butchered. My wife and I have been restoring/renovating a late 1890’s home for 12 years now and still have a great deal to accomplish. The work never ends but the rewards are great. Best of luck to you as you continue making this house your home!
Thanks Randy! And sorry about the slow reply, I just found your comment. It’s amazing what people will do to these South Philly homes.
Hi, Chad. Love the original “mermaid” shingles but I can understand not trying to repair them. Did you insulate? Jo @ Let’s Fake the Music
Sorry, I just found 16 comments in blog purgatory. I had spray foam and cellulose installed while the house was gutted. The “mermaid” shingles are asphalt, not cedar. The original siding was wood Dutch lap or German siding, so the Hardie Plank that I had installed is not historically correct either, but it’s as close as anything. I definitely didn’t want anything more expensive than Hardie Plank and also I like the fire resistance it gives me as these houses are not far apart.