When building a small private house with their own hands, many do not pay special attention to arranging the porch. As a result, after a couple of years we get a skewed porch with many cracks. To prevent such an incident from happening to the owners of private houses, certain rules must be followed when constructing a porch:
- Mandatory arrangement of a strong and reliable foundation laid to a certain depth.
- The process of waterproofing the supporting structure under the porch cannot be ignored.
By adhering to these basic requirements, you can get a porch that will last not only for years, but also for decades. But as practice shows, these details are mostly ignored. And after completion of the work, after some time, the structure begins to shrink. As a result, cracks form. In bad weather, water gets into such cracks, which destroys the structure even more. In winter, the presence of moisture in cracks is fraught with disastrous consequences. The thing is that when water freezes, it expands and thus widens the cracks. Of course, under such conditions the structure will not last long.
We build a porch with our own hands
A porch for a private home can be built from various materials. This can be concrete, brick or blocks. These materials are the most reliable. But working with them requires a lot of labor. Let's get acquainted with these technologies in more detail, and give an example of how to properly build a porch from bricks or blocks with your own hands.
Porch foundation
Like any solid structure, the construction of a porch begins with arranging the foundation for the porch. It is best if the foundation for the porch is designed together with the foundation for the house. Then it will be a single design. The connection between the bases will ensure the reliability and durability of the porch. If you equip the base separately, then cracks may form at the junctions. In the case where the foundation for the porch is installed separately, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the technology to avoid the occurrence of various types of violations. You also can’t skimp on materials. The depth of the foundation also plays an important role. It depends on factors such as soil type and groundwater availability. Ideally, the depth should be the same as the depth of the supporting structure of the house. If there is no groundwater, then the depth can be no more than 80 cm. It is not worth tying the foundations together very tightly. At most, install several reinforcing bars into the wall at the base level. The diameter of the reinforcing bars must be at least 12 mm. A reinforcement mesh is laid at the bottom of the recess and everything is filled with concrete.
After the mortar has completely hardened, it is necessary to lay the brick. Carefully level the surface with cement-sand mortar.
Arrangement of waterproofing
The next step in arranging the foundation for the porch with your own hands is to ensure its reliable waterproofing. Although many assume that they can do without this, they thereby doom their structure to destruction. It is protection from water that will ensure the quality of work on the arrangement of the future porch. Doing waterproofing with your own hands will not be difficult, and the benefits from it are enormous. There are two types of moisture protection: vertical and horizontal. Roofing material is used for this. With horizontal insulation, roofing felt is laid on the brickwork in two layers. Vertical waterproofing is provided between the base and the porch. This is done so that moisture from the base is not transferred to the porch.
Forming the steps
Let's move on to arranging the steps with our own hands. A brick porch should consist of brick steps. They are laid directly on the waterproofing. A good facing brick is laid on the outside of the steps. The internal part is laid with rubble bricks. You can lay the steps only with rubble bricks, but in this case they should subsequently be lined. Brickwork has some advantages over pouring concrete steps. The disadvantage of concrete is that it can absorb moisture, and in the cold season this is fraught with destruction.
What dimensions should the steps for the porch of a house have? And how many of them should be equipped? There are building standards that say that the length of the steps should be 30 cm, in extreme cases it should correspond to the length of the brick. The optimal height corresponds to 15 cm or two rows of brickwork. The number of steps depends entirely on the height of the base of the house. A typical standard porch consists of three steps. But if the level of the base is made higher, then the number of steps increases accordingly.
What kind of brick should you use?
To build a brick porch, you must use very high-quality material. At least its front part. Many, in order to save money, try to purchase used material. This option is certainly acceptable. But it should be understood that in this case the quality of the material will be reduced. After all, when dismantling old buildings, the bricks are not sorted. And among them there is a brand of material that is not suitable for building a porch. For such work, a red brick of a grade of at least 150 is suitable.
Arranging a concrete porch
Nowadays there is a large selection of artificial blocks on sale: aerated concrete, foam concrete or expanded clay. This material differs from brick in its larger size, so you can build a porch from blocks much faster. The installation method remains the same as in the case of rubble bricks.
Preparing for work
We carry out all the preparatory work following the example of constructing a brick porch. Laying the foundation, waterproofing and applying beacons is absolutely no different. But we stock up on fragments of blocks and broken bricks. We will use all this instead of rubble bricks.
Porch masonry made of blocks
We begin to lay out the blocks with our own hands in the shape of the letter P. In the places allocated for the steps, we lay out halves of the blocks in two rows. Let's start laying the second row. We perform the side sections first. We retreat from the edge of the first one to the width of the step. To arrange the steps, we lay a row and an additional row behind it. It serves as a support for the next step.
We lay out the third row using the same pattern. As a result, we got a porch with a void in the middle. We deal with it in two ways:
- fill with rubble and fill with concrete;
- lay it in blocks.
We finish arranging the porch with our own hands by pouring cement-sand mortar into its central part
Porch protection
A porch built from blocks, unlike a brick structure, must be lined. Since foam blocks and expanded clay are quite soft materials. Since this is still a street structure that is subject to various types of mechanical loads, it should be protected from destruction. At this stage, you have to think about the choice of material for cladding the steps.
The facing material for a street structure must have certain qualities:
- it should not slide;
- be resistant to moisture, alkali and acids;
- tolerate temperature changes;
- influence of bacteria and fungi;
- easy to care for.
Which material is best? The best option is stone or tiles of different types. Any of the above materials has sufficiently high qualities for cladding a street structure.
It goes well with finishing materials for the facade of the house such as brick, stone, siding, wooden beams or logs.
The next factor in protecting the integrity of the porch is reducing the influence of natural conditions on it. To do this, install a canopy over the porch, thus partially protecting it from adversity: ice formation, getting wet in the summer.
Under such a canopy it will be convenient to open the door in bad weather. And if you approach the arrangement of the canopy creatively, it can become a real work of art that will advantageously decorate the facade of the house.
st. Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya, 10
Dmitrovskoe highway, 163a, building 1, -1 floor
Brick porch
Do-it-yourself brick porch When building a small private house with your own hands, many do not pay special attention to arranging the porch. As a result, after a couple of years we get a skewed
Porches of country houses are built from different materials. This is usually wood, metal, concrete, stone or brick. The last three options are characterized by the greatest reliability and durability. However, such structures are somewhat more complex in construction than wooden and metal ones.
There are certain technologies for constructing such structures, which must be observed. Next, we will consider in detail how to build a porch with your own hands from bricks or blocks.
Where to begin?
The question of how to build a brick porch with your own hands primarily comes down to drawing up a project. When developing it, it is important to take into account that the most convenient are considered to be porches with an angle of inclination of 27-45 degrees, a span of at least 110 cm, a step width of approximately 27-30 cm and a riser height of 15-20 cm. In that case, If these parameters are taken into account, you will get a very comfortable porch:
Building a brick porch
In order for the street staircase to be absolutely uniform in color, you need to immediately buy a sufficient amount of brick for its construction.
Important: For the porch of a country house, only red or brown material is suitable. The fact is that apricot and yellow bricks are made with the addition of lime. Therefore, it has a high degree of moisture absorption.
At the first stage, using the “Egyptian” triangle method, markings are made for the foundation of the porch according to the project.
Marking under the porch is carried out using the “Egyptian” triangle method
Construction of the foundation
According to the markings, a pit is dug to the depth of the foundation of the house. Next, formwork is installed into it. After this, a sand “cushion” (10 cm) is poured and crushed stone is laid (in a layer of 5 cm). Then a five-centimeter layer of concrete is poured. A day later, the reinforcement frame is installed. Next, the foundation itself is poured.
Brick porch. Photo of preparing a pit for pouring concrete
How to lay a brick porch at a dacha
So, how to make a porch out of brick? The standard brick size is 25*12*6.5 cm. A more or less acceptable height of the steps will only be achieved if the material is laid on the bed in two rows (6.5+6.5+2=15 cm, where 6.5 cm is the thickness of the brick, 2 cm is thickness of two seams).
Closed porch of a brick house. Photo of the march construction process
If you lay them using the “brick” method, you can get a quite comfortable step depth of 25cm. In the bottom row of each step, the material is placed with a spoon, two at a time. In the top - poke along one at a time.
Now let's see how to lay a brick porch. They begin its construction by laying both parapets. They are usually made as thick as a brick.
Having laid out the first step, the space remaining up to the base of the house is filled with cement mortar or covered with stone. After the concrete pad has hardened, the second step is laid out. The resulting “trough”, fenced with it, the walls of the parapet and the base of the building, is again filled with concrete mortar. Then lay out the third step and so on until the upper platform. The latter is laid out in two rows of solid bricks.
First the parapet is laid out
The laying of a semicircular brick porch is done a little differently. In this case, the elements of both rows of steps are stacked with butts. In this case, the seam thickens from the inside out.
Beautiful porch of a brick house. Photo of a design with semicircular steps
You can also lay out a kind of formwork from bricks, arranging lintels of different heights from parapet to parapet, install reinforcement and fill everything with concrete. In this case, you will get a more comfortable porch with a step width of 32.5 cm (6.5 +25+1 cm per seam).
Brick house porch design. Photo of a staircase with a brick parapet and concrete steps trimmed with tiles
Since the most convenient step depth is still considered to be 30 cm and a height of 17 cm, often only the porch parapets are laid out of brick. The march is made of poured concrete.
Porch made of blocks
Thus, we figured out how to build a brick porch. Sometimes porches are also made of concrete blocks (expanded clay concrete, slag, gas silicate, etc.).
How to choose material
Today, at the entrances of country houses, a structure such as a porch made of foam blocks is often found. Of course, you can build such a staircase with your own hands or lay out the steps from aerated concrete. However, it is still better to build a street march from cinder blocks or, in extreme cases, from expanded clay blocks. Cellular concrete is not particularly suitable for this purpose, since it absorbs moisture very quickly and is destroyed in the process.
Cellular concrete will definitely absorb moisture
How to make a porch from blocks with your own hands
In this case, the foundation is poured in exactly the same way as for a brick porch. Next, a parapet is erected. The lower deck of the span is laid out from blocks according to the size of the porch. The next one is a block shorter and so on until the top of the march. The last stage usually involves finishing the porch with stone or tiles. This is the simplest, but quite expensive method of laying a porch. More often, country houses still have cheaper block porches with backfill. Let's see how to build such a staircase. In this case, the work is performed in the following sequence:
- Parapets are being erected. For them, solid solid blocks are used. The parapet usually consists of a single row of blocks laid in a spoon;
Blocks on the parapet are laid with a spoon with the seams bandaged
- A series of first stage blocks are laid out. For the steps of such a block porch of a house, you can take hollow blocks. Lay them on their sides so that no voids are visible;
Tip: In order for the masonry to be smooth, you need to stretch the cord between the parapets. After the first step is laid out, it is moved under the second, etc.
- How to fold steps correctly? This is done very simply. First, the mortar is applied to the foundation (be sure to make grooves in it with a trowel). Next, concrete is applied to the side surfaces of the block and installed in place;
- A day later, fragments of bricks or stones are poured behind the laid step. The resulting layer must be compacted so that its surface is at the level of the first step;
When laying steps, the blocks are turned sideways
- Next, they begin laying the second step. After its construction, the space behind it is also filled with stone and broken bricks. All steps are laid in this way;
- At the last stage, the upper platform is constructed, also placing the blocks sideways so that the holes are not visible.
Tiled block porch
Stone porch
Sometimes the street stairs of a private house are laid out with your own hands and from natural stone - paving stones or rubble.
Photo of a porch made of paving stones, beautifully combined with the facing of the yard
Such a structure is erected according to the same principle as a brick one - first the parapet, then the steps. In this case, you can use ordinary rubble cobblestones from the nearest mountain.
Stone porch of a country house. Photo of a comfortable and at the same time aesthetic march
You can also purchase ready-made, smooth stone blocks. In general, making a porch out of stone with your own hands is no more difficult than making one out of brick. How to lay natural stone, see this video:
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3 comments
And I really want a porch made of stone. The photo of the paving stone structure is impressive, but I like the rubble one better.
I want to build something like this too. Moreover, it will cost pennies.
I saw somewhere on the Internet a photo of a porch made of granite (made of polished blocks). Very beautiful.
Examples of brick porches, photos of finishing the porch with stone, foam blocks, paving stones, comparison and tips on how to build such a porch with your own hands
Technology for building a porch from blocks with your own hands with photo examples. Comparison of other porch finishes: stone, paving stones, granite, brick. Overview of different extension designs and shapes
How to make a porch with your own hands from bricks or blocks
When planning to build a porch at a dacha or country house, their owners think about the choice of building material. After all, this structure must be of high quality, withstand everyday loads, and also fit into the overall architectural ensemble of the house.
In this article we will consider in detail the options for porches made of brick and stone, the detailed technology of their construction, and finishing features. The gallery will demonstrate how extensions can be designed and decorated.
Finding a suitable porch for your home is not easy, since the structure must be of high quality and presentable. You can hire specialists to carry out this work, or you can study the technology and do everything yourself.
For a house built of brick or concrete blocks, the entrance can be made of concrete, metal, brick, or stone.
Small beautiful porch of a brick house, photo
Important points to consider
Before building an extension for a brick house or block structure, you should decide on its size and shape. So for a small garden house it would be inappropriate to add a huge terrace, and for a luxurious mansion a modest canopy would not be suitable.
The shape of the structure is also important - it emphasizes the architecture of the house. To choose a successful porch option for your home, you need to make preliminary markings by driving pegs along its intended perimeter and pulling the threads. It is also advisable to outline the location of the stairs, calculate the number and size of steps, and think over fencing to ensure the safety of the residents of the house.
Examples of various designs of the porch of a brick house, photo
Let's consider the features of constructing extensions made of brick and concrete blocks.
Brick porch
If you own a brick mansion, then the best choice for it would be a similar porch. In terms of color, it can match the facade decoration, or have a contrasting shade.
Various color variations of a brick porch, photo
The brick structure has the following characteristics:
- strength and durability (material lifespan 50-100 years);
- frost resistance;
- beautiful appearance.
The brick porch will be a harmonious addition to the facade. It goes well with other materials - metal, forging, stone, tiles.
Cozy closed porch of a brick house, photo
Technology for building a brick veranda
To build a high-quality brick porch with your own hands, you will need to develop a clear construction plan. The design of the structure must be thought out to the smallest detail so that it harmoniously complements the house.
- brick;
- cement and sand, crushed stone, water;
- waterproofing material;
- grout for seams;
- tools (grinder, electric drill, spatula);
- facing material (optional).
Advice: for exterior work it is better to use sand-lime brick, although it costs more than usual.
Before you build a brick porch, you should lay its foundation - the foundation. To do this, markings are carried out and a pit of the required depth is dug.
When building a porch with your own hands from brick, you should not skimp on building materials. If you make a poor-quality foundation, over time it will sag and the integrity of the entire structure will be compromised.
Please note: the foundation is laid taking into account the groundwater level, but it must be at least 20 cm deep so that the porch does not deform during use.
A sand and crushed stone cushion is laid in the finished pit. After this, a formwork with a reinforcing mesh is constructed into which concrete is poured.
For the concrete to completely harden, you need to wait about a week - after that, further work begins
Before laying a brick porch, its base should be thoroughly waterproofed to protect it from moisture. For these purposes, you can use ordinary roofing material. It is poured with a layer of cement on top, and then they begin laying bricks.
Construction of side elements of a brick extension
The constructed brick structure must dry for 2-3 days. Only after this can you begin finishing it.
An example of how to make a brick porch
To give the brick structure individuality, you can make steps of various shapes: for example, widening towards the bottom of the stairs, or semicircular.
Using original forms in exterior design is a way to make your home stand out from the rest.
Add originality to your home by building a semicircular brick porch
A brick porch can be left unfinished, since clinker brick has a beautiful appearance on its own. Sand-lime brick can be faced with tiles and stone.
Fresh flowers in pots will decorate a brick porch, photo
Porch made of blocks
Concrete construction is universal in terms of practicality and wide possibilities for decorative finishing. However, it is quite labor-intensive to implement; it is easier and more profitable to make a porch from blocks with your own hands.
The construction of a concrete structure is carried out in several stages:
- site preparation for construction;
- marking and sizing calculations;
- production of formwork;
- laying concrete blocks.
The construction of a porch from foam blocks with your own hands for a brick or house (from foam, cinder blocks and aerated concrete) begins with preparing the site and laying the foundation in the same way as for a brick veranda. The base can also be laid out from blocks.
Tip: to ensure that the structure is level, periodically check it with a plumb line and level.
When the foundation is established, construction of the structure begins. The blocks are installed around the perimeter of the foundation on cement mortar, leaving an opening for the door and windows.
An example of how to build an enclosed porch from blocks
Methods for finishing a block structure
Steps made of concrete blocks can be plastered to hide all the seams, or lined with one of the finishing materials.
Please note: it is better not to plaster the treads of the stairs (ordinary cement will quickly collapse under the influence of atmospheric phenomena); only its side parts can be treated. And to finish the march it is better to use tiles and stone.
The photo shows an open porch of a brick house, reinforced with reinforced concrete techniques
Veranda made of stone
The finished structure made of aerated concrete, expanded clay concrete, gas silicate blocks needs to be finished to give it a more presentable appearance. For this, tiles, artificial and natural stone are used.
Remember: the decoration of the veranda and the facade of a private house must be done in the same style.
Even a simple porch made of stone with your own hands emphasizes the monumentality of the structure
When planning the finish for a concrete stone porch, pay attention to granite.
Granite coating tolerates temperature fluctuations and constant loads well. It is supplied in the form of slabs, which are quickly mounted using special glue.
Note: prices for natural stone cladding depend on its type and method of processing the material.
Photo of a granite porch with exquisite wrought iron railings
It is not necessary to use granite or marble to decorate the entrance area of a mansion. Other stones that are more affordable are also suitable for these purposes - sandstone, slate, limestone, basalt.
Inexpensive option for a stone porch, photo
A wear-resistant and practical material that can be used for outdoor work is paving stones. It has many shapes and colors, which allows you to build a porch of any design.
An unconventional approach to the design of the entrance of a house - photo of a porch made of paving stones
The construction of the porch is the final stage of building a house. To build a high-quality, practical and durable structure, brick and concrete blocks are most often used. With the help of clinker bricks, you can achieve an excellent decorative effect, and to disguise a structure made of unsightly blocks, finishing the porch with stone is used.
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How to lay out a porch made of bricks or blocks with your own hands? 22 PHOTOS of open and closed porches made of stone, paving stones, foam blocks, granite, comparison and design review
Detailed instructions with photo examples on how to make a porch from bricks, as well as from blocks. Review of stone porches of a country house, design options for brick and expanded clay concrete extensions
How to lay a porch out of brick or concrete blocks with your own hands
You have several options for building a porch: concrete, metal, wood, brick or stone. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages, as well as installation features. In this article we will talk about how to build a porch with your own hands, from brick and cinder blocks/gas blocks.
Such structures will have a high load-bearing capacity, which will allow you to further organize them to your liking - into an open, closed porch or vestibule. For clarity, the description of the construction of the porches will be accompanied by photographs of the masonry work.
How to make a porch out of brick
Here we will describe the process of building a brick porch with our own hands, using rubble masonry on the inside of the steps and sides. You can use scraps of gas silicate or expanded clay concrete blocks as rubble. The point of combining brick with rubble is to reduce the cost of the structure, so if you have the desire and opportunity, you can get by with just brick. A brick porch, a photo of which will accompany the description, is attached to the house on a high base.
What needs to be done before laying the first bricks
First of all, we need a detailed drawing of the porch along with its underground part - the foundation. Using the drawing, we calculate how much concrete will be needed to fill the foundation and the central part of the porch, as well as bricks for masonry. It is better to purchase the latter with the expectation of possible losses - pruning, fighting, etc.
Next, we need to prepare a shallow slab foundation for the masonry. It is done in the same way as for an ordinary concrete porch: in the form of a monolithic slab with reinforcement and buried in the ground by about 50 cm. You can start laying out the brick porch a week and a half after pouring the foundation.
How to build a porch out of brick: laying out the first step
Beginning of construction of steps and sides of the structure
First we lay the bricks in three bricks:
- We raise the outer row to the height of the first step.
- We lay out the inner bricks in one layer.
- We lay the rubble row.
- Another row of bricks
The height of the butt must be selected so that the last row rises to the level of the first step.
Please note: for greater convenience, control markings are applied to the walls to which the building will adjoin. Where there are no walls, we organize the markings using a stretched cord. This will make it easier for you to navigate the height of the masonry. The previous photo shows the approximate location of such markings.
How to lay a brick porch: laying a row of rubble
Having retreated 30 cm from the edge of the first step, we begin to lay out the second, third, etc. Following the steps, we raise the rubble masonry. We draw the sides in the same way. The following photo clearly shows the internal organization of the future porch.
Please note: the largest elements of rubble masonry should be located at the edges, the smallest trimmings should be placed in the center. They should be well coated with the solution and pressed as tightly as possible to one another.
Porch made of stone. Photo of the process of laying out the side of the porch
Completion of masonry
We raise the masonry to the height we need, checking the markings. During the entire construction process, do not forget to check your work using a level, and it would be good to do this every two or three bricks. And by the way, look at how the bricks are arranged on the steps: the bottom row is across, and the top row is along. This installation scheme will provide the steps with a longer service life.
Stone porch of a country house: photo of installation of the upper steps
And one more important point. The next photo clearly shows that the front edge of the platform is not laid out in the same way as the steps were made before. If you look from the inside, you get one step with a side the size of half a brick. This was done with the expectation of further filling of the central part. We carry out internal concreting as if we were pouring a simple concrete base.
Inside the brick well we install reinforcement, 10-12 mm, with a cell of 15-20 cm. On it, in a layer of 20-30 cm, we fill it with a layer of crushed stone, broken bricks or any stone construction waste. Fill everything with a concrete-sand-crushed stone mixture so that it is equal to the upper brick side, which you see in the photo. Cover the surface of the concrete with cellophane and leave until it hardens, for one to one and a half weeks.
How to fold a porch at your dacha with your own hands: a side for pouring concrete
A little about finishing the finished building
If the porch was laid carefully and using new bricks, then you do not need to use any additional cladding. You can also use clinker bricks for the outer layers of the masonry. This is even preferable, since the clinker is much stronger, and the appearance of the porch will remain unchanged for a long time. The semicircular brick porch from the next photo was made in exactly this way.
Beautiful porch of a brick house. Photo of a semicircular design
DIY foam block porch
Gas silicate and expanded clay concrete blocks are larger in size than bricks, and, accordingly, masonry from them will be carried out much faster. In the method of installing a porch made of foam blocks described below, rubble masonry will be used, as in the case of brick. And also, here you can refuse the bottle.
Before you start
The preparatory stage here is basically similar to that described for brick. We make the foundation the same, and also apply auxiliary markings on the wall or stretch the cords. We prepare unnecessary block scraps that we will use as rubble. You can also put a brick fight here.
It also makes sense to prepare a dry mixture of sand, crushed stone and cement, so that at the time of pouring the base you only need to add water to the mixture. Dry materials are mixed in the following proportions: 340 kg of cement, a cube of sand and 0.85 cubic meters of crushed stone. This amount is calculated for pouring one cubic meter of concrete.
Let's start laying
We lay out the first row of expanded clay blocks in the letter “P”, with the halves of the blocks going to the top. Then the second row of sidewalls: we place the blocks at a distance from the top equal to the width of the future step. Behind the top we place more rows of blocks - steps will be built above them.
We build a porch from blocks, with our own hands
From one side to the other we lay out the next step, followed by another row of blocks. We build up the sidewalls again, stepping back the width of the step from the first blocks. And we report the third stage. Inside the porch we have a niche that needs to be filled either with rubble or with whole blocks. It is shown in red lines in the figure. Now all that remains is to fill the central part of the porch with concrete. Here we repeat all the steps described for the brick.
DIY stone porch. Completion of laying aerated concrete blocks
Block Porch Finishing
Unlike brick, blocks do not have an appearance that would allow them to be left as is, without finishing. Therefore, here you will have to think about what to cover the porch with and what to use as a floor covering. The closed porch of the brick house, the photo of which you see, is trimmed on the sides with artificial stone, and clinker is used for the platform and steps. Finishing the porch with stone is a win-win option; the result is always excellent.
Brick house porch design. Photo of a win-win combination of artificial stone and artistic forging
Or here: a photo of a porch made of paving stones. A semicircular block porch will benefit from such finishing. Paving stones can be either inexpensive concrete or natural stone, such as granite. The photo shows granite paving stones.
Photo of a granite porch
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How to build a canopy over a porch with your own hands?
2 comments
Workers at my dacha laid bricks this spring. But they built the supports for the canopy at the same time as the base of the porch.
Oh, I had to cut these gas silicate blocks here. Dust piles... Does anyone know what else can be used to cut them so that they don’t fly into dust like that?
How to make a brick porch with your own hands? Interesting options for porches for a bathhouse, photo examples, as well as details about the project of such an extension with step-by-step instructions
Details on how to attach a porch to a bathhouse, photo examples of a porch made of blocks, brick, stone, paving stones. Features of do-it-yourself construction of semicircular structures, an overview of different designs
Reading time: 26 min
You can discuss the merits of aerated concrete or laminated timber as much as you like. Admire the ideals of environmentally friendly construction or dream of a house made of plastic, but brick will still remain the standard material to which all newfangled technologies are measured. That’s why today we will look at the brick porch. Its advantages, disadvantages and, of course, case studies. And at the end of the review, a master class awaits you, because beautiful projects are of little use if we cannot implement them with our own hands.
Features of a porch made of kipich
This is just one of the varieties of stone porches, which will differ from its peers in the group only in construction material, but not in design. If desired, the same image can be obtained using
- Concrete
- cinder block
- Wild stone
- Or regular brick
The only exceptions are those projects where clinker cladding is used. That is, porch columns or parapets are made of ceramics.
Have questions?
Ask and receive useful advice from professional builders and experienced summer residents.
And so all brick porches are divided into only two groups:
- Built-in - those that stand on the same foundation as the house.
- And attached - made in the form of an independent extension.
The first option is preferable, but not always possible. After all, if you didn’t plan the porch before building the house, then you won’t have a foundation for it. And in such cases, the only solution will be an extension. Ultimately, in appearance it will not be much different from a built-in porch, but it will require an order of magnitude more money and effort for its implementation.
But what is so special about a porch made of brick or paving stones? After all, if you walk through the courtyards, you will probably notice that the vast majority of such structures, although attached to the cottage, still somehow stand!
The key word here is “Somehow.” Look at the following sad examples. This is exactly the result you can really get if you build a threshold without bothering.
If you still don’t understand what happened here, then let’s explain. The foundation under a house is not actually static. The soil underneath shrinks and the building sags a little. But in winter, although the forces of frost heaving act on the tape tangentially, they still only act by a few millimeters, and they set it in motion. But this is a house built according to all the rules, with the required foundation depth, waterproofing and insulated blind area.
Now imagine a porch that the owners either installed on bare ground or on a small concrete pad. Believe me, the heaving will work hard on this and is guaranteed to not only tear the extension away from the house, but also destroy it. Yes, even if you do everything correctly and make exactly the same foundation for the porch as the mother building, there will still be a crack between them, because the mass of the buildings is different, and, therefore, the soil will subside under them to different depths.
Arguments in favor of a brick porch
But is it really worth bothering with? Isn't it easier to make the entrance area from wood or metal? It turns out not, because there have always been more than compelling arguments in favor of brick or stone. And the first of them is a solid design. Just imagine, some projects are simply impossible to implement without capital stone steps.
Let's look at the photo examples again.
As you can see, the architects did not have a very wide choice.
The second argument is the durability of brick thresholds. And don’t let the above illustrations of the emergency steps, where frost and water turned the extension into ruins, scare you. Such a scenario is inevitable only if masons or concrete workers made gross mistakes during their work and ignored the very basics of the art of construction. And if everything is done correctly, the porch will last no less than the house itself.
But why brick? - You ask. After all, you can cast the same steps, but from concrete. And in terms of money, it will most likely be much cheaper. But there are fewer problems with brick.
- Easier to build with
- Masonry dries faster
- And if everything is done carefully, then you can save a lot on cladding.
Take another look at these architectural masterpieces. No tiles, just embroidered and varnished masonry.
We build a porch with our own hands
Now let's talk about the production process itself. After all, there is no point in admiring beautiful pictures if nothing like this will ever appear on your site. You need to be able to make your dreams come true.
Let's start with a pencil. That is, let’s put the key parameters of our brick porch on a sheet of paper. Or, if it’s more convenient for you, in an electronic document. Word, Excel, Notepad - whichever is more convenient for you.
Initial data
Let's say we have a new brick house like this, with a plinth height of 650 mm. The front door, contrary to standards, is 800 mm, and in front of it is a free, unrestricted area. The depth of soil freezing in our case is about a meter, the groundwater is deep, and the layer of fertile soil is on average 20 centimeters.
Therefore:
- The depth of the porch deck is at least 800 mm.
- The number of steps is four.
- Laying the foundation no higher than a meter.
- And the distance from the base to the riser of the last step is no less than 1700 mm.
Some of these values are also due to the standard dimensions of the brick, because with a thickness of 65 mm, it is realistic to make the rise of the step only a multiple of 75 mm. (Brick thickness + mortar joint).
Preparatory work
Victory loves preparation, and therefore we will follow this truism and, before pulling the concrete mixer out of the garage, we will carry out at least basic preliminary work.
- We will remove all household waste from the site.
- We will prepare a place for the same concrete mixer and bring sand closer to it.
- We will conduct an audit of the tools necessary for a mason.
- And we will purchase brick, Portland cement, and also several squares of extruded polystyrene foam 1 centimeter thick.
At this stage, nothing more is required.
Making the foundation
We have already seen the consequences of an incorrectly built foundation under a brick porch, and therefore we will not make mistakes on our site. To minimize the number of letters and make the material easier to understand, we are posting the master class in the form of step-by-step graphic instructions with a small number of explanations.
- Merging with the base of the house.
- And controlled seam technology.
We will now take the second path, because it will still not be possible to seamlessly connect the attached porch to the house.
The foundation is ready.
Making a brick platform for the porch
It's time to work as a mason, so call your helper and start the concrete mixer. You should always have bricks and mortar with the consistency of heated oil on hand.
- The first row, as the fathers taught, is laid in a poke, generally following the diagram for a wall of one and a half bricks.
Pay attention to the design of the corners. Such a design is not a whim, and if you do not want the porch to crack, you will have to follow the technology.
Don’t forget to fill the remaining space with concrete, otherwise you’ll have to use brick there, which costs money.
An integral attribute of any building, be it a cottage, a summer cottage or a supermarket, is a staircase. It is installed in order to level out height differences and facilitate access to the room. In addition, such structures are installed not only on the approach to the house, but also inside it, when it becomes necessary to construct structures for access to the second and subsequent floors of the building.
Stairs are made from almost any material: wood, metal, concrete, brick, and plastic. At the same time, the choice of a specific type of building materials is largely determined by the future operating conditions of the equipment and the size of the room itself. In this article we will talk about brick products, their types and construction methods, thanks to which you can correctly select all the necessary materials and design a staircase in compliance with technological features.
Types of staircase structures
Depending on the location of the future product, all stairs are divided into two types:
- internal;
- external.
The first ones are used for arranging interior space, which creates access to the second floor of a cottage or two-level apartment. External stairs are necessary to provide comfortable access to the veranda or to the house when the doorways are located at a sufficiently high height from the ground.
In addition, when constructing a staircase with your own hands, you should take into account some subtleties when selecting the material. Since external devices are not protected from the negative influence of the environment, they are subject to quite serious requirements, according to which the brick must be moisture-resistant and non-porous. Only then will the staircase have a long period of operation.
To make a brick staircase yourself, you should listen to some recommendations from experienced specialists, thanks to which the equipment leading to the second floor of your house will be not only safe, but also durable:
- When choosing a brick, pay attention to the presence of defects: cracks, chips, unevenness. Such building materials cannot be purchased;
- Before you start laying the stairs, prepare the base, which is made of rubble stone. In this case, the layer thickness must be at least 15 cm;
- An alternative option when preparing the floor is concreting, which must be done together with reinforcement;
- In the case of a rubble base, before making masonry, it must be thoroughly compacted;
- The solution must be made from cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3;
- When kneading, the finished composition should have a fairly thick consistency, reminiscent of sour cream;
- When laying the mortar on the base, the layer thickness should not be more than 10 cm;
- Then you should lay out the brick so that the distance between adjacent blocks is no more than 1 cm;
- As soon as the first step is completed, begin laying the subsequent ones in compliance with the technology;
- You can use a brick staircase after 7-8 days, provided the humidity in the room is low.
The brick staircase in the photo is a clear example of how the structure connecting the first and second floors of a private house should be constructed.
Principle of construction of an external structure
An external brick staircase with your own hands can only be built in accordance with the basic principles of construction. Since brick entrance devices are in no way protected from the negative influence of atmospheric factors, it is necessary to carefully select building materials. This is the only way to make a good, wear-resistant staircase. In addition, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
- If wooden handrails are installed, they must be treated with an antiseptic, which will prevent rotting of the parts;
- If there are metal elements, use special anti-corrosion compounds;
- It is not advisable to cover the surface of the steps with slippery tiles;
- When building a house from scratch, it is advisable to include a staircase in the project, since a monolithic foundation for a staircase will be much stronger than an autonomous one.
Laying a brick staircase is a responsible and labor-intensive process that requires the master to follow all the basic rules. Ignoring these principles can significantly shorten the life of the equipment and make it unsafe to operate.
Construction of brick products
If you want to lay out a staircase approaching your house with your own hands, you should first familiarize yourself with the construction of brick steps:
- Base made of sand and gravel;
- Foundation made of reinforced concrete slab;
- Brickwork;
- Steps;
- Facing with ceramics or paving slabs.
Foundation preparation
Laying a brick staircase is possible only after preliminary preparation of the base. Therefore, to begin with, it is worth deciding on the configuration and future dimensions of the structure. Then proceed to the immediate preparation of the foundation, which consists of the following processes:
- A pit of the required size is dug;
- Crushed stone is laid in it so that the layer thickness is not less than 10-15 cm;
- Then the crushed stone is thoroughly compacted;
- Next, the concrete solution is poured along with the reinforcing mesh.
Important points:
- The thickness of the solution layer depends on the height of the future product. For example, a small staircase of 4 steps leading to the veranda requires the construction of a foundation with a layer thickness of 35 cm;
- The base must dry for at least 28-30 hours;
- The foundation mortar is prepared according to the following recipe: 3 parts sand, 1 part cement, 2 parts crushed stone.
Laying bricks
To properly lay brick on a finished base, you should adhere to the following principles:
- On the wall of the building to which the structure will adjoin, make markings to outline the outline of the future product;
- The first step, located at some distance from the house, is laid out 1 brick wide;
- Then the masonry is raised either to the doorway or to the desired height at which the platform will be located;
- The blocks are laid with a sling: the lowest row is laid out along the steps, and the next one is laid out perpendicularly;
- In the process of laying bricks, you need to ensure that the seams between the blocks of the upper row are located in the center of the blocks of the lower one;
- Next, the steps are tiled, as well as the installation of additional handrails and other accessories.
In the video you can watch in more detail the process of laying a brick staircase on the approach to the house, where the master talks about the important nuances of the work, which should also be taken into account when installing the structure.
Conclusion
A brick staircase is a reliable and durable equipment that can be placed both indoors and on the approach to the house or veranda. A distinctive feature of these devices is the ability to create products of almost any configuration and in combination with any materials. By listening to the advice of experienced craftsmen outlined in the article, you can make a beautiful brick structure with your own hands that will delight you for many years.
A brick porch is a durable and reliable structure. It is quite possible to build it with your own hands, without resorting to the help of professional builders.
The porch is considered one of the important and truly necessary elements of any residential building. They always try to build it from the same material from which the base of the building is made. Therefore, for brick or stone houses it is advisable to build a porch made of brick. At the same time, in principle, there is not much difference which products you will use.
Now there are many varieties of bricks - with different color shades and sizes. It will not be at all difficult to select products that ideally match the appearance of the already used basement level of the house. But the pros still recommend purchasing ceramic bricks. They say that this building material will ensure maximum durability of the structure you are building.
Ceramic bricks
If you do not want the constructed structure to begin to collapse within a couple of years, you should competently develop its design and draw up an appropriate drawing. There are several basic rules that must be followed when building a brick porch with your own hands. Here they are:
- The width of the porch should be 1.5–1.8 times the width of the door leading to the premises of a private house.
- The height of the site of the structure we are interested in is taken to be at least 0.15–0.2 m. In this case, precipitation will not fall on the porch in bad weather.
- The thickness of the platform should be about 0.1 m. Moreover, it should be filled with a high-quality concrete mixture. Note! It is necessary to make a concrete base. For these purposes, ordinary crushed stone is used. After pouring the mixture, you need to additionally cover the concrete with a 15-centimeter cement screed.
- To make it comfortable for you to climb onto the porch, it is important to make the correct slope of its steps. The recommended tilt value is 2.8–3.2°. With such a slope, we note that water flows down the steps without problems, without forming puddles on them.
- The steps on the porch are built in prefabricated parts (a special form is used) or according to a monolithic scheme (then you will have to make formwork from boards).
- The recommended length of steps is 12–15 cm.
After drawing up the drawing, proceed to purchase the materials necessary to carry out the planned construction work - primer, sand, reinforcing bars, crushed stone, waterproofing, M400 cement, grout paste. Also purchase tools - two spatulas (notched and plain), a rubber hammer for installing tiles, a shovel, a trowel, a building level, a container for mixing concrete.
Let's start with the most important thing. The depth of the foundation for the porch must be similar to the depth of the foundation of the house itself. It is important. Over time, the foundations of the building and porch will begin to settle. And do it in different ways. If you install foundations at different levels, cracks will begin to form between them, which will ultimately lead to the destruction of both buildings.
Laying the foundation for the porch
The layout of the foundation for a brick porch is as follows:
- Mark the geometric parameters of the foundation on the surface of the site. Perform the procedure with wooden pegs, using chalk to make the required marks.
- Dig a hole according to the markings you made.
- Form a mesh of metal reinforcing bars in the pit. Metal rods with a cross section of 1 cm are also installed on the sides of the foundation. They should protrude 10 centimeters above the top of the steps (check your drawing). Then fill everything with a solution of crushed stone, cement and sand. The proportions of these materials are 4 to 1 to 2.
- Wait for the mixture to harden. In summer, it usually takes 7–14 days for the solution to set. In cooler times of the year – 3–4 weeks.
After you are convinced that the base under the porch of a private house has hardened properly, you can continue work.
Bricks must be installed on a mixture of cement (1 part) and sand (4 parts). But first, it is advisable to take care of good protection of the future structure from moisture. Waterproofing can be made from roofing felt. This inexpensive material is guaranteed to protect the porch from the negative effects of water. Important! The waterproofing material must be laid on the foundation in two layers.
Now let's see how to make the simplest thing - the so-called one-sided porch for the house. In such a structure, the steps (all without exception) are built simultaneously with the brickwork. Due to this, the process goes quickly and without unnecessary problems. Note that in a one-sided design, the number of steps depends on the height of the base of the house. Moreover, it is always odd.
Single Sided Brick Porch for Home
The procedure for arranging a simple porch is given below:
- Stir the solution and start laying. Use a spatula to scoop up the mounting mixture and apply it (amply) to the bricks from the sides and bottom.
- Lay the first row, thereby forming the first step.
- Install the second line of bricks. They need to be pressed against the already laid products as tightly as possible.
- Create the 3rd and subsequent stages in the same way.
- Leave the completed structure for 3–7 days. During this time it should dry well.
Some home craftsmen simplify the described procedure. They lay 2-3 rows of bricks around the perimeter of the porch of the house and fill the resulting box with concrete mortar. The cost of such work will be much less (and the labor intensity of the operation will be reduced). But it’s not a fact that you will get an attractive design. Often brick porches are built using a different method - first their side walls are built, and then the steps are formed. We'll talk about this technology further.
If you don’t like the method of simultaneously arranging masonry and steps, you can do everything differently. The first stage of such work is the construction of side walls. The outline of the event is as follows:
- The very first brick is installed intact. But to improve the connection of individual products and to increase the strength of the entire structure, the next row should be started from three quarters.
- Be sure to leave a 10 mm seam between the rows of masonry.
- You form a straight platform at the top of the masonry being built, and below you lay out an area intended for installing porch steps.
- Then you need to do the brick jointing. Perform this operation at a time when the solution is still damp, but already slightly set.
You have built the walls for the porch. Now start pouring the steps. First you do it. A small nuance. The shape of the boards used should be similar to the configuration of the steps being built. Next, you form a platform - add earth to the base of the house and thoroughly compact it. Then you need to tilt the platform. It must correspond to the planned grade slope.
Making porch steps from brick
The next step is to reinforce the compacted soil with metal reinforcing bars. The operation is carried out in increments of 15 cm, using rods with a cross-section of about 6–7 mm.
Then everything is simple:
- You set the concrete mixture to the required shape - place the boards in a special way.
- Lay out the first step. It is advisable to reinforce it by welding the joint points. Then lay crushed stone and reinforcing mesh, pour crushed stone again (it should reach the level of the step height). Fill the structures with liquid cement mortar.
- Lay out the second row of bricks - make the second and subsequent steps.
That's all the work. If desired, the surface of the steps can be covered with tiles, natural or artificial stone products.
You can experiment and use aerated concrete, slag or expanded clay concrete blocks instead of bricks. It is better not to use foam blocks and other cellular products for constructing a porch. You make a porch out of blocks like this: pour the foundation (by analogy with the base for brickwork), lay out the lower platform according to the parameters of the porch, make the second row one less block, the third one shorter, and so on.
Porch made of blocks
After creating the entire structure, cover it with tiles, porcelain stoneware or stone. Another way to create a structure from blocks:
- You make parapets from aerated concrete products.
- Treat the foundation with concrete mortar.
- When building the first stage, place it on its side.
- Coat the made step with concrete mortar, pour broken stones and bricks on top, and tamp it down.
- Build the remaining steps in the same way.
Choose your own method for building a porch!
