Just Added : Photo's 01 - 05 - May 28 2009
Our friend decided it was time to change the old front balcony. It was rotted faded and just needed to go. Over the years, previous owners did some patch work to the balcony and a few modifications to the metal railing. Legs were cut, blocks were added, it all had to be changed.
We decided to rebuild the balcony using Resin Decking - basically Plastic - it is easy to maintain ( wash with soapy water ), costs almost the same as a treated Pine and requires no staining or painting. It will also outlast any type of wood - Bigtime!
As for the railing, the modified metal needed probally more work to restore than it was worth. It would have also looked a little odd on a new balcony. We replaced it with Plastic low maintenance railing.
We are almost finished - just the stair rails are left and some decorative touchups - but the rain decided visit us and stopped progress. We'll finish it all off today or tomorrow :)
NDG Balcony 01 : As you can see in this photo, the floor of the balcony is just about rotted out. The metal rails are being supported by rotting blocks, even the stairs are starting to give.
NDG Balcony 02 : Here's another look from a different angle.
NDG Balcony 03 : Progress! The balcony floor has been set. We used metal stair stringers, resin steps, and resin decking. Joists, Post Base, Beams, and Flashing - are all exterior treated pine. Under the 4x4 Posts are Frost Footing Cement Blocks. The other balcony's in the area do not have these, but we added them for extra support :)
NDG Balcony 04 : Some people pre cut resin board before installing, that's a very bad idea! Walls on older buildings are never level, precutting a resin board will usually not be straight when you install - as another friend of mine in NDG learned the hard way! Use a straight edge and a circular saw with a very toothy good blade, and do it right.
NDG Balcony 05 : Here's a closer look at how we cut the resin balcony floor. Notice the straight edge and the clamps. Always have on glasses - this photo is for demonstration of the straight ege only. Even though resin is not supposed to crack or splinter - a piece can fly if the saw pulls. Be Safe!
NDG Balcony 06 : The finished project. This was a standard balcony install. The only alteration we did to make this balcony even more sturdy, is we did a nut and bolt post install on the first step instead of just screwing in the post. I see it all the time - the first post that gets loose if the start post - not mine :)
NDG Balcony 07 : Here's another look from a different angle. When we come back to paint the house, we'll also paint all the white with some good paint made for exterior work.
NDG Balcony 08 : Everytime we do exterior projects, we get caught in rain. This time - we beat the rain - look at those clouds! Maybe next time lol |
