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kate1234_gw

Do you build slope into your porches?

kate1234
15 years ago

Traditional instructions for building porches say to include a slope of 1/4" per foot away from the house to promote water drainage. Do you do this? My contractor is reluctant to do this, saying that a room that is not level will feel "off."

Comments (9)

  • aidan_m
    15 years ago

    Slope it if you are using T&G for sure. A regular deck with spaces between the boards can be constructed level.

  • john_hyatt
    15 years ago

    I am intersted in a Contractor who has used solid re plastic for 20 years hmmmmmmmm very intersted...in fact very very intersted. mrdeck.com has several projects placed in that time period using solid plastic material but it is defentley not recycled .

    In the very old days of wrap around covered porches a lot of slope was installed for some unknown reason mabey to prevent rot/decay..anyway whatever they did it seemed to work some of those places lasted 80 years or so. Of course you have to define faliure.

    The 1/4'' per ft is standared with concreet far as slope away from the house goes but its not needed for a covered porch. With T&G material or face fastened decking I frame them leval. With the correct mill on the T&G decking and the right install no fall is needed. J

  • kate1234
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    John, what do you mean "with the correct mill on the T&G decking and the right install." I'd love to know what to look out for in the choice of T&G (right now I'm leaning toward ipe but haven't ruled out Azek Porch) and what to tell my GC your advice is on installing it correctly. The boards will be perpendicular to the house. The house is faced with brick veneer, the frame of the porch will be pressure-treated lumber over piers. The porch will be 40" off the ground.

    I expect some rain to come in on the edges, particularly when the storm is from the south as it does sometimes. The gable end which faces south really shouldn't have a roof overhang as none of the rest of the gables on my house do. The two sides will have an overhang so will get some protection.

  • john_hyatt
    15 years ago

    O Man I was hoping that jdm guy was going to chime in again with the 20 year re cycle solid plastic thing,pretty sure thats total bogas.

    Kate, I get my T&G ipe from George at EastTeak we have worked out a mill so the G is 1/8'' further in, the top edges are bevled and its not klin dried.

    Most of the old porches ran the decking at a 90 degree from the house so your good if the old look is what your going for, although it really dosent matter what way the decking is running it will drain the same>> thru the gapsDraining thru the gaps brings us to the ......drum roll.... Right Install!!!! acording to John>>> with the right mill install the T&G ipe with construstion adhesive on the joists,cut a 1/2'' slot in the T every 3' or so done corectley it wont show, do not jam the decking up with a vengance use a snug fit, run a SS screw thru the T with a slight pre drill using a 1/8'' drill bit( thru the ipe not into the pt joists) SNUG the G into the T this will allow hmmm an 1/8'' or so of gap. T&G ipe decking drains the same way as any other deckin thru the gap.

    Of course this all depends on your frame having the right foundation, being Very secure, and no over spans.
    No decks out with Azex cant help you there. J

  • kate1234
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Thanks John. If water can get out through the slots, can't bugs get in? I live in a very nasty bug area and I must be sweet-smelling because they bite me every chance they get.

  • john_hyatt
    15 years ago

    Its the same gap T&G or face fastened.

    Do not treat outside decking like an inside floor. J.

  • theporchguy
    15 years ago

    I use 5/4 x 4 T&G Mahogany flooring at 90 degrees sloped standard, whether open railing or screen-in.

    The PorchGuy

    Here is a link that might be useful: My Album

  • dorry2
    11 years ago

    I am having a screened porch built,, using Azec porch floor, which is narrower than Azec decking and is tongue and groove. My understanding is azec porch should be laid on a slight decline of 1/4" to allow for drainage. My husband and I notice the floor did not appear to have this decline so he asked the contractor who said if it is on a deline, there will be an opening at the end of the screened porch to allow for drainage and will be a potential problem with bugs entering. Is this true? He claims he has an azec porch and has not had a problem with drainage. If the problem is an opening for drainage, couldn't a screen be put in place where the drainage holes are? I am concerned about rains, snow and drainage issues. Since this floor is tongue and groove, is there any way or room for water to drain? This is a second home so the house is unoccupied much of the year and I certainly would not want drainage issues and, possibly, compromise he integrity if the azec composite.
    This is a big project and is quite expensive, so I would rather be proactive now rather than reactive later. I know very little about a screened porch construction, but I did some reading prior to making my decision on the azec porch vs, the azec decking. Maybe the recommendation for the 1/4" inch decline is for a porch that is not screened?? I might add this is in an area that has humid hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow and ice..

    Please help.... I will be talking to him as early as tomorrow or Tuesday. I certainly do not want to put him on the defensive, but I need to know if this is standard practice. He does nice work and I am not in the trade, but at the same time, this is contrary to what I have read. Maybe we should go with the azec decking and save $2575, but I really like the look of the porch floor since it is a screened porch and not a deck. I also like the fact there are no visible nails on the floor.

    Thank you, all, for your expertise and input!