A concrete porch – how to make from A to Z

Adding a concrete porch to your house is a fantastic way to increase its curb appeal and value. It’s a task that you can accomplish on your own with the correct assistance. This post will guide you through every step of the procedure, from organizing and setting up to adding the final touches.

We’ll go over the essentials of what you’ll need first. This comprises implements like a trowel, level, and shovel in addition to supplies like concrete mix, wooden forms, and reinforcing bars. The task will go considerably more easily if you have the necessary materials on hand.

We’ll then get right into the building process. You’ll discover how to level and smooth everything, mix and pour concrete, construct forms, and prepare the site. It’s crucial to follow each step to make sure your porch is attractive and strong.

Lastly, we’ll talk about some finishing methods to give your porch a refined appearance. These finishing touches, which range from brushing and edging to curing and sealing, will preserve your porch and keep it looking great for many years to come.

A concrete porch – where to start construction?

A concrete porch can be built by any home craftsman "with hands," as was previously mentioned. A minimal amount of universal tools and auxiliary materials will be needed for this. On the other hand, the following systemic "troubles" can result from non-compliance with or ignorance of the technology used to construct a structure:

• Cracking and destruction of the wall of the building associated with the porch.
• Destruction of the finishing of the structure due to subsidence or seasonal movement of the structure.
• Subsidence and skew of the porch in relation to the foundation of the house.

In order to prevent this from happening and your concrete porch for a private home, which was created on its own and served "faith and truth" for many, many years, follow clear-cut guidelines and never cut corners when it comes to materials.

Creating a project is the first step in building a concrete porch. Using the Internet to "comb through" and locate a pre-made project is the simplest method. If none of the options seem right, you can design your own porch using the following guidelines:

• The depth of the foundation for the porch corresponds to the depth of the house foundation. The dimensions of the foundation (width and length) are 200-250 mm larger than the dimensions of the porch.
• The height of the gravel and sand cushion at the bottom of the pit is 200-300 mm.
• The width of the stairs is at least 1 meter. The optimal width is 1.5 meters. The maximum dimensions are not limited.
• The angle of the stairs in relation to the ground level is not 45 degrees, but ideally 30-35 degrees.
• Step width 230-280 mm.
• Step height 170-200 mm.
• The plane of the porch should be located 50 below the lower edge of the door mm.

You can "play" with the stairs’ height, width, and angle of inclination within a range of 50 to 70 mm in relation to the specified parameters if the structure cannot be "fit" into the given dimensions.

Digging a foundation pit and pouring concrete into the structure are the two steps involved in building a concrete porch by hand. The M200 heavy concrete will be used to pour the foundation.

There are differing views on what kind of porch foundation is appropriate. Building a pile structure is the better choice, according to some sources, while building a strip foundation is the best option according to others. The most straightforward and dependable option is a monolithic foundation that is poured all the way down to the building base.

The main stages of building a foundation for a porch

• Clearing the site from foreign objects. Marking the dimensions of the pit. The length and width of the pit are taken as the length of the porch + 200 mm and the width of the porch + 200 mm. The depth of the pit corresponds to the depth of the foundation of the house.
• Tearing off the pit. Backfilling the cushion: 100 mm of fine gravel and 100 mm of sand. Tamping the cushion.
• Laying waterproofing – roofing felt or polyethylene film.
• Arrangement of formwork. A quadrangular frame is knocked down from boards 100 mm wide and 25 mm thick and installed along the outer perimeter of the pit.
• Filling the foundation with concrete. The best option is to order ready-made concrete solution M200 and simultaneously pour a strong and durable foundation. If the builder wants to save money, then the required amount of concrete can be obtained on his own. In this case, the proportions should be followed (kg): 1 part of Portland cement CEM I 32.5N PC (M400), 3 parts of sand, 4.5 parts of crushed stone, 0.7 parts of water.
• The horizontality of the upper surface of the foundation is measured using a building level. Cover with polyethylene film and leave to set for 72 hours from the moment the last portion of concrete is poured.
• Dismantling the formwork.

Installing the formwork under the porch

The next step in the construction process is to install the formwork for a concrete porch. The stage of formwork installation is crucial. To put it into practice, the following supplies and equipment are needed:

• Planed edged boards with a thickness of at least 25 mm or laminated plywood with a thickness of at least 12 mm.
• Wooden bars with a cross-section of 50×50 mm.
• Self-tapping screws for wood.
• Polyethylene film.
• Hacksaw, screwdriver, hammer, building level.

Formwork installation typically entails the creation of two side panels, the dimensions and layout of which are repeated from the staircase. The panels are then joined to one another with self-tapping screws and boards or panels whose width and length match the riser’s height and the steps’ length, respectively.

In this instance, the tread surfaces are still available for concrete pouring and reinforcement. The resulting structure is strengthened by tying wooden beams around its outer perimeter. Steel wire or construction reinforcement with a diameter of 6 mm is then used to reinforce any future concrete porch steps.

Pouring concrete

Concrete pouring for the porch is the next step. Whether prefabricated or handmade, the same heavy concrete grade M200 is utilized. It is important to note that the cost of materials for self-preparation of this grade of concrete will be doubled when purchasing ready-made concrete from the plant.

Thus, assuming all other factors remain equal, it makes sense for the reader of this article to mix the necessary volume of building material themselves using a mechanical concrete mixer or a regular sheet of iron if they want to save a substantial amount of money.

The bottom step of the concrete porch staircase is poured first, followed by the top step. When pouring, what should one observe?

First, to help with moisture removal, the steps’ surface should have a small slope. Secondly, vibration or bayoneting must be performed. Thirdly, if finishing is not intended, the steps should be expertly ironed to prevent deterioration due to external influences.

After pouring the structure, it is wrapped in polyethylene film and given at least 72 hours to solidify. The formwork is meticulously disassembled and the finishing work starts after 72 hours.

To guarantee a long-lasting and appealing outcome, building a concrete porch requires meticulous planning and a step-by-step procedure. Every step is essential for a successful project, from choosing the appropriate materials and preparing the ground to mixing and pouring the concrete. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process, providing helpful hints and concise directions to help you build a strong and fashionable concrete porch for your house.

How to finish a concrete porch

This depends on the developer’s preferences and financial situation. After pouring, all surfaces can be immediately ironed and left "as is," or they can be painted or whitewashed.

Special ceramic tiles or outdoor-use porcelain stoneware can be used to complete the structure. You can finish the porch with priceless wood or creative forging, paint it with special compounds, or cover it with designer mosaics.

Conclusion

In summary, developers should pay particular attention to the following key elements of the concrete porch construction process when reviewing our comprehensive guide on how to build a concrete porch yourself.

Several sources advise using a reinforcement belt to link the porch structure to the building’s foundation. The reality of using such structures demonstrates how dangerous this misconception is for preserving the porch. There is a noticeable difference in mass between the porch and the house.

Due to their disparate linear movements, the porch and house structures "contradict" one another during the winter "heaving" of the soil. Cracking results from this, which leads to devastation.

Professional builders of private homes strongly advise against connecting the porch’s reinforcement belt to the house’s walls and foundation in this way, contrary to some careless Internet recommendations.

Constructing a concrete porch from the ground up is a satisfying project that improves your home’s entry. You can create a long-lasting and eye-catching addition to your property by meticulously planning, prepping the site, and carefully carrying out each step.

In order to ensure that your project is successful, make sure you measure and mark your area precisely. To guarantee the durability and strength of your porch, use high-quality supplies and equipment. Concrete must be mixed properly and poured evenly; these are important but detail-oriented steps.

Not only will finishing touches ensure the porch is safe and functional, but they will also improve the appearance by smoothing the surface and adding any desired textures or patterns. To achieve maximum strength, the concrete must be given enough time to cure.

Constructing a concrete porch can be a manageable and rewarding project with perseverance and commitment. It will give you a durable and welcoming entryway that will look good for many years. Take pleasure in the sense of accomplishment you get from finishing this practical project and the value it adds to your house.

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