Front Porch Post ?

[karoc]

Guys this is for appearance only, not for structural.
Where I live now my front porch has 4x4 post, and they look like toothpicks. So this go round going to use 6x6 to give porch look of strength, but my neighbor has 8x8 post and I like the look it gives to porch.
My question is what would you go with, 6x6 or 8x8? Again this only for appearance, no HOA, no inspection no nothing. Thanks for help with designing my farm house appearance

 

[pbon]

Why wouldn’t you buy what you like, whether 6x6 or 8x8 given that you are doing this for looks and a 4x4 is all you need for structure. Are you just going to box over 4x4 or actually buy the bigger posts?

 

[Earp69]

Boxing over would be a whole lot cheaper, that and you can wrap them with steel so you never have to paint them.

 

[Garcky]

Guys this is for appearance only, not for structural.
Where I live now my front porch has 4x4 post, and they look like toothpicks. So this go round going to use 6x6 to give porch look of strength, but my neighbor has 8x8 post and I like the look it gives to porch.
My question is what would you go with, 6x6 or 8x8? Again this only for appearance, no HOA, no inspection no nothing. Thanks for help with designing my farm house appearance

If you like the 8x8 look, then why not go for that? Or, just box in the existing post for a similar look. It's your place, so do what you want.

 

[duneslider]

We boxed in our back patio posts that are 4x4. We boxed them out to about 12x12. In our case they are boxed with 2x and osb and then covered with hardi.

 

[Bert_]

Picture of the porch? Small post are definitely too common, lacks the visual support.

My porch posts are about 10" wide from the street side. They are actually 6x6 posts supporting the roof but there is extra lumber scabbed on and trimmed around to make a 8x10

 

[jack stand]

Iirc you used "sawmill" lumber for your framing, a 6x6 or bigger from your sawmill guy shouldn't break the bank.
I'm in full agreement, it's all about proportion, and I don't think a 8x8 would be too big particularly going into a "healthy" beam necessary or not.

 

[kbs2244]

do a search for porch post sleeves
they come in all styles and wood, plastic, AL, and steel

 

[jar944]

Just wrap them to whatever dimensions you want. I built bases for my columns that are 13.5x13.5

 

[Jinks]

Karoc, is your avatar a selfie?

 

[atch]

Here's a pic of the porch we built last year. We tore down the smaller porch that had 4x4 posts; shed roof; ugly; etc. The new verticals are 6x6 and the horizontals are 6x10. Douglas fir. Solid. Actual measurement, not "original size before planing". A pic of your porch would help with opinions. In my case 6x6 was the look I wanted. jar944's posts are perfect for his style of house. I believe that my posts match my house. What does your house look like?

 

[619DioFan]

Get a 2x6 and a 2x8 , lean them against the posts , step back aways and see what size looks best.

 

[mike93lx]

Go with whatever you like. If I was building, it would be in a craftsman style that uses a large base up to about 42" then tapers to the roof

 

[CraigStu]

Craftsman here too.

 

[KenC]

Guys this is for appearance only, not for structural.
Where I live now my front porch has 4x4 post, and they look like toothpicks. So this go round going to use 6x6 to give porch look of strength, but my neighbor has 8x8 post and I like the look it gives to porch.
My question is what would you go with, 6x6 or 8x8? Again this only for appearance, no HOA, no inspection no nothing. Thanks for help with designing my farm house appearance

Pick the size that you like. Then, be sure to put a spacer under the bottom to prevent the post from staying wet. Like this: or similar

 

[karoc]

Karoc, is your avatar a selfie?

LOL, yes sir it is and on good day.
Thanks guys, lots of good ideas here and thanks for pics. Craigstu love that Craftsman look

 

[jar944]

Go with whatever you like. If I was building, it would be in a craftsman style that uses a large base up to about 42" then tapers to the roof

I read that as a 42" wide base for the post. I was impressed for a second.

Pick the size that you like. Then, be sure to put a spacer under the bottom to prevent the post from staying wet. Like this: or similar

The spacers are code here.

I'd also suggest a pvc or vinyl wrap if it's going to be painted.

 

[nadogail]

I have seen posts that were cast in semicircles and erected around the existing wooden posts.

I used to get calls to fill in the gaps and cracks with Bondo and apply a coat of paint.

That was about 25 or 30 years ago.