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Project Information

Just completed, front porch in eastern white pine.
All lumber purchased green and kiln dried & heat treated in my backyard kiln.

Overall lenght = 32ft
Beam box = 12"
Main posts = 12" lower/7.5" upper
Intermidiate posts = 5.5"
All trim shop made
Ceiling T&G (shop made)

Finish: Chemcraft EasySpray spray only stain (NO blotching :))
Top Coat: Chemcraft D-Dur post cat exterior polyurethane, 2 coats at about 5-6 wet mils
Trim sprayed wet on wet, hand rails and other parts that would be touchable were sanded between coats.

This took a while to build, about 2 months from start to finish. Assembly alone was 2 full weekends plus a bit.
All components were pre-finished in shop, inside/back sides of all components were top coated as well.

Makes quite a difference on the house.
Stairs will make even more of a difference..lol!

Cheers
Steve

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Comments

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Welcome aboard Steve, and let me say that this is a one of kind project here as I do beleive it is the first example of taking new finishes outside the home and into the elements.
We are all curious to read your research for a finish and what your prediction is for it in your harsh climate.
p.s. it's just beautiful.

Bob
 

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That is a beautiful porch! The color is great and the details are wonderful!
 

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Great looking porch. Beautiful finish. Where are the stairs?
 

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Now thats a porch done right! Sure did add some value and appeal, good job Steve
 

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Fantastic! That's something I'd be proud to call my own!
 

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fantastic porch really cool.
 

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Thanks for the comments :)
Bob, re: finish…

Research on finish options left me a little discourage I must say.
Bottom line from digging through articles and posts over at woodweb and other sites was that NOTHING lasts long term in the area of clear outdoor finishes. More often than not the arrows pointed to a product from Chemcraft International called "D-DUR". It's made to be an oudoor finish for the likes of exterior wood doors and is widely used. MLC also makes a new product in thier Euro-X line that you use a toudh up coat of UV inhibitor annually but it was VERY expensive and only availible in full case lots (4gal minimum plus 4L of catalyst). D-DUR was costly enough at a little under $100 per gallon with hardner. It's nasty stuff, Isocyanates in the hardner mean it must be handled carefully but I'm hoping for the best.

As for projections for durability in Canadian climate (this is an easterly exposure so morning sun then shade by 11am) I'm expecting 3-5 years before having much 'touch up' and HOPING for a total lifespan of close to 10 years. At that time I'll decide whether to refinish it or just start the paint cycle. It will look good in white I'm sure, just not as rich. The brown tone stain really stands out nicely with the light grey stone on the house. one thing I have going for me I HOPE is that it's somewhat shaded by the roof overhang so it won't see full sun rain or snow etc like a deck would. That with luck, will buy me a few years more on the finish.

Still want to go back and caulk all the miters where there are tiny gaps to keep water out of the end grain, likewise for places where water can get in between trim and backer boards etc. A little dilligence here should also help.

Cheers
Steve
 

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WOW, when are you enclosing the porch and making it indoor built-in funiture. I'd be happy as a lark with your porch as finished furniture in my home. Looks great, hope the finish does it's job of protecting your fine work. BTKS
 

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No way will I be enclosing this one;) I have another covered pato about the same size on the back of the house (yet to be tackled…another year;)) and if anything it would be the screen'd in candidate.
Technically, the finish on the front porch is no different than I would do for an interior piece of furniture except I would never spray wet on wet coats in that case I would cut it with 320 between coats for a silky smooth feel. Only other difference would be an interior lacquer versus the exterior product. Coincidentally, all of my interior trim is or will be in an very similar color to the porch… I think I'm seeing a trend;0
 

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Steve … This is really a terrific looking porch … love the color! It sounds like you properly prepared the lumber, which is really critical for a long-lasting finish.
 

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fantastic looking porch…. great job now all you need is some furniture and a bunch of us enjoying it… will be there soon enjoy shinju
 

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Very nice! No doubt this will also improve the value of the home. Its eye catching.
 

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Great looking porch! What type of dry kiln do you have? We are building a solar dry kiln. I hope your finish lasts longer than the ones we've tried in the past. With our UV, we can't get more than a year even on the east and partially covered so paint is the next best option for railings and posts and trex decking for the porch floor.
 

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Front Porch/Garden Wall

Front porch/Garden wall full

Guess I never did get back and post the finished product. Opted for garden wall and stone/interlock steps rather than wood as you can see;)

Mtn Mystic… I have hope that the DDur will withstand well enough but am resigned to the fact that 'nothin' lasts forever' ;) Trex is my choice too but for the front I will just leave the PT to grey naturally, no stain so it should last long enough. Back deck I will do in Trex so there's no issue with slivers from old wood down the road!

The kiln is a home built solar kiln. I've never used it as a solar though, I insulated the polycarbonate ceiling with 2" rigid foam board and added 5000w electric and a 40,000 btu 'salimander' propane heater ducted in through a home made plenum setup. I have also never needed to dry a load from green. The purpose of the kiln was to dry about 5000BF of pine I bought real cheap that had been left sit long enough to pick up old house borers. Needed to heat treat to kill 'em all plus crank it to 170-180°F for 2-3 days to try and set the sap.

Cost of the kiln was around $2000 so roughly $0.40 per BF. Add in about $0.10 /BF heat cost and the $0.90 I paid for the pine and it's still only $1.50/bf when selects sell here for $3 -$4…. and now I have a kiln… or as it sits right now, a great lumber storage shed;)
 

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wow…This looks great…well done yes sir well done…..
 
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