Back Porch Finished

My Dad came for another (of many) weekends to help out and we tackled the back porch.  We started with the decking finished and the four corner posts.  My plan is to build steps from the kitchen corner side, (over Dad's shoulder in the picture) down toward the garage and onto the ground that will be accessible from the side of the house.  However, time being what it is and we want to close as soon as we can, we'll leave that part for later.  

Using treated pine lumber, we added two more 4X4 posts on each side and used 2X4's to make railing all around with 2X2 spindles making it all kid-safe.  We built it in such a way that come spring I'll add screen panels to the outside for a screened in porch.  Take that bugs!

For weeks ahead of time we had beautiful 60s and 70s weather, and then Dad came and the wind picked up and dropped down to 40s at midday.  

(Not pictured, Mat helped some too.  You'll notice the two spindles 

in the corner that are upside down.  Thanks Mat.)

Back Porch

Mat helped me finish the back porch ceiling.  After the fan is installed I'll cover the seam with another couple of boards.  After this, I started work on the porch floor, or decking.  Brian had some Ipe decking imported for he, Sam and I to use for our houses.  Brian and Sam used hidden fasteners that hold the decking in place without anything showing on the surface but I wasn't happy with how those would turned out for me so I decided to screw through the top like regular decking.  Since this is Ipe, ( an extremely dense species from Brazil ) I can't simply screw it down.  I've had to drill pilot holes, then countersink holes, and then screws.  All that adds up to more work, longer time.  Fortunately it looks really good.