A question about the short posts on a porch, how do you attach them so they become stable without feeling like they might sway if you lean against them? Building a new house with a poured slab on the porch and this is how the house was delivered. In the meantime, we've gotten new ideas and thoughts, so short railings forward to enclose were not planned. I would also prefer to avoid several posts that go all the way up. See pictures.
With fastening like the posts already there, it would be super wobbly when they don't go up to the roof, both I and the carpenter I asked at the construction site think. He didn't have a solution on the spot.
On the left side, it's intended that you should be able to walk out directly to the future deck, so building a bench and bracing it on both sides is out of the question.
Moreover, I think it's really ugly that the post ends a bit up from the slab, even though I understand the advantages of the end grain not being in contact with the slab and rotting. I'm considering putting a molding around the post that hides the ugly gap and creates a nice finish—are there any disadvantages to that?
With fastening like the posts already there, it would be super wobbly when they don't go up to the roof, both I and the carpenter I asked at the construction site think. He didn't have a solution on the spot.
On the left side, it's intended that you should be able to walk out directly to the future deck, so building a bench and bracing it on both sides is out of the question.
Moreover, I think it's really ugly that the post ends a bit up from the slab, even though I understand the advantages of the end grain not being in contact with the slab and rotting. I'm considering putting a molding around the post that hides the ugly gap and creates a nice finish—are there any disadvantages to that?
It might look nice if you put fascia boards around the tall posts. 28x145 front and back and 28x95 on the sides, or whatever fits. Then sawed drip noses at an angle. As for the shorter posts, it will be just as you suspect, they will sag and give a cheap impression.
One idea is to cast the posts in concrete directly on the slab using the same type of "box" with fascia boards that you now use as a mold and just paint it afterward. You need to drill down and attach two or three rebar in the slab for each post, fastening them with anchoring compound and then filling the box with concrete.
One idea is to cast the posts in concrete directly on the slab using the same type of "box" with fascia boards that you now use as a mold and just paint it afterward. You need to drill down and attach two or three rebar in the slab for each post, fastening them with anchoring compound and then filling the box with concrete.
Super! Thanks for your suggestions 🙏. Smart!Cruzze said:
I did something similar on my friggebod/gym a few years ago. Since the wood will be lying directly against the slab, I sawed off about 30 mm at the bottom of the box, which is included during the casting but removed once the concrete has fully set. I made the cut before, but you can do it afterward if you use your old rotten handsaw for the last bit when reaching the concrete.
All the posts I have encountered have an iron rod embedded in the concrete, and the post is mounted on that. These posts include the five at my parental home that have been in place like this for almost 100 years. Then the railing helps to keep the post in position.