Farmhouse Renovation - Porch Demo Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Porch Demo Day

I have to admit, I was a bit queasy as the dumpster and trucks arrived to begin the porch demolition. It seemed a bit wrong to be removing the original porch from the grand, old lady that sits on the hill. If the porch hadn't already begun the process on its own, we may have made other choices.

As it was, the porch had to go. It wasn't just in need of paint and propping. It was dangerous. All the way around, it sloped away from the house, and as you got closer to the outside edge, it was bouncy, exposing nail heads and rough edges.

Brynwood Needleworks - Southern Elevation

Tom and his crew began on the south side of the porch. He had to remove the staircase first, so he could get around the entire area. The steps were gone in no time at all, thanks to that hefty bobcat (the machinery). The rest of the crew set about removing the aluminum cladding from the main roof support beams and the posts holding it up.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - NE Corner

This was the saddest part for me. All of the old hydrangeas had to go, so that they could dig and set footings today. Every old farmhouse has either abandoned lilacs or hydrangeas sitting on the empty homesteads. Our living, breathing home has both...well, until yesterday.

My little mama wren came back late yesterday afternoon, sat on what's left of that corner pillar and started singing. I surmise that she's wondering where her flowers went. I took her house down after her fledglings left the nest, so she may have been hiding out in the bushes. I apologized to her, and promised that, as soon as the porch is finished, I'll put her house back up. I'll also plant hydrangeas back on that corner as soon as I can.

Brynwood Needleworks - Looking From The Kitchen Garden, East

You've seen many views of my kitchen garden since we first planted it. It's looking a little worse for wear on the edge right now, but the guys are being really careful, and it will survive.

This photo was taken near the end of the work day. All the decking has been removed and the aluminum pieces covering the posts and beams has been removed. The old sidewalk was pulled, too. You'll see why as the project progresses. The guys built strong, sturdy supports to hold up the roof until they're ready to set it back down on the new pillars and posts.

Brynwood Needleworks - Exposed Porch Decking Joists

Now, the only thing left to remove are the joists that supported the porch decking; the pillars; and the rest of the trellis (that covered the area below the porch), and the last of the southern exposure posts. They really got a lot done in one day!

Brynwood Needleworks - End of Day One

 

This is what we looked like by the end of work day number one. No more plantings around the front of the porch, no pillars on the front exposure, no railings, and no sidewalk.

 

Today, they'll finish removing the pillars, joists and the rest of the wood around the porch. They're expecting to dig and pour the footings upon which the new porch will sit. The new porch will be completely "no maintenance", and it surely won't shift or move again in our (and likely the next) lifetime.

 

Our crew is Wendels Construction out of Fond du Lac, WI. We worked with Tom's dad (who he worked for) on our first and second homes. They do great work, and we'd recommend them every day of the week. Of course, if you need masonry work done anytime soon, you'll have to get in line. They're busy because they're so good. 

 

I'm going to finish my morning coffee, take a few photos of them working, and then head to the studio to sew up my current project. After that, I can go back outside and "supervise". I don't want to miss a single step of the process, and will take pictures so I can share more with you. Gotta run now, though, so I'll see ya later!