DIY Network

1919 Washington Row-House: Wooden Porch-Lattice From "Restoration Realities" episode DRTR-110

The row-house porch, BEFORE the addition of latticework and rails.

In this episode DIY's Restoration Realities helps Russell Clark and friend Sam Droege on a couple of restorative projects on Russell's 1919 row-house in Washington, DC.

In this third segment, our restoration specialists help Russell fashion and install wooden porch lattice to put the crowning touch on an old front porch. Russell has already decided on a traditional style of lattice that is suitable for the period of the house and blends well with the overall look of the historic neighborhood.

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Russell and Bill take measurements of the openings at the bottom section of the front porch to formulate plans for creating the lattice. Meanwhile, carpenter Chris Babcock has developed a basic design for framing and anchoring the lattice (figures A and B). A frame of treated-wood 2x4s mounted around the inside of the porch opening will be used for fastening the lattice securely. Poplar was selected as the wood for creating the lattices, both from the standpoint of cost and rigidity for the frames.

Figure A

Figure B

A wooden lattice made the old-fashioned way, with mortise-and-tenon joinery.

Pre-made lattices can be purchased from home centers, but we opted to build them from scratch using old-fashioned methods. Old wood frames were typically joined using a mortise-and-tenon joint system, with a groove cut in the frame to hold the lattice. The mortise-and-tenon joinery was strengthened using wooden pegs. This will enhance the historic look of the home, and will likely last longer than commercially made lattice.

The steps for building and mounting the lattice are outlined below.

Installing Wooden Porch Lattice

• Begin by cutting a groove in the frame pieces deep enough for the 1/4" lattice pieces to fit into(figure C).

• Use the table saw to make repetitive cuts to create a tenon that will fit into the mortise joint (figure D). The height of the cut depends on the depth of the wood.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• In our case, the completed tenon will fit into the 1/4" mortise cut (figure E).

• After cutting all the frames, we joined them together by a traditional method -- using glue and 1/4" wooden dowels to add strength at the corners (figure F).

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  Figure G

• Beneath the porch, the treated-wood framework -- that the lattice will attach to -- is secured to the existing porch. The 2x4's are checked for level and attached to the brick and concrete with tapcon screws (figure G).
  

  	Figure H
  	Figure I

• To create the three 3'x8' lattice panels, nearly 700 feet of 1-3/4" x 1/4" lattice was used. To save time, multiple pieces were clamped and batch-cut using a chop-saw.

• Spacer blocks were used to achieve uniformity between the horizontal slats as they were installed in the frame (figure H).

• Once the vertical strips were installed in the frame, the lattices were secured using a pneumatic nail-gun. Securing the four corner pieces first (figure I) holds the structure intact until all of the lattice pieces have been attached.

• After securing the corners, simply work your way to the center until all are attached.

• To finish the panel, cut in half a single piece of wood lattice and nail them to the ends of the panel to provide a perfect balance for the finished frame.
  

  Figure J

• With all the lattice panels complete (figure J), the final phase of this project is to anchor them to the newly made framework. First the panels should be test-fit before attaching them to the sub-frame.
  

• When we test-fit our panels (figure K), we found one was slightly tool large for the opening because of some excess mortar at the bottom of the porch foundation. A cold chisel was used to remove the excess mortar (figure L).

  Tip: When using a cold chisel, be certain to angle it away from the object that you are striking to avoid cracking the adjoining brick.

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

  Figure M

• Once the fit was correct, and all the lattice panels were painted, they were secured using a pneumatic nailer to complete the project (figure M).

AFTER the front-porch renovation.

Materials and tools used in this project:

Framing hammers
Extension ladder
Saw horses
Air compressor for pneumatic tools
Pneumatic air nailer
10" table saw
10-12" Power miter saw
4' level
Chalk line
Framing square
Carpenter pencils
Reciprocating saw
Extension cords
Circular saw
1/2" VSR drill and or hammer drill
Cordless screw driver
Socket wrench set
Drop cloths
5/4" x 6x 12' treated wood stock
Lattice pieces 1-1/2" x 1/4 to 3/8" x any length over 36"
(16) treated 2x4x 10'
3" Tapcon anchors
Exterior oil-based primer
Mineral spirits
Rags
1-gallon pails
3/4" galvanized brads
3/4" galvanized staples
Polyurethane glue

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

In the segment that follows, a few finishing touches are put on the front-porch project, and this restoration is recapped.

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the procedures shown in this episode of Restoration Realities. There may be variations in procedures for your particular restoration project based on the types of materials you select and the nature or extent of your particular project. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with materials or products that you select.

RESOURCES :

Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes
Author: George Nash
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561585351
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Renovating and Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide to Maximum Value Remodeling
Author: Lawrence Dworin
Publisher: Craftsman Book Company
ISBN: 1572180293
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Selecting and Renovating an Old House: A Complete Guide
Author: United States Department of Agriculture
July 2000
Publisher: Dover Publications
ISBN: 0486409562
Order this title from Amazon.com.