1892 Porch Remodel Protects Architectural Integrity

Turning an unusable porch into a brand new 130 year-old looking veranda!

Project Summary

1892 was a big year. The “Nutcracker” premieres in Saint Petersburg Russia, Ellis Island opens as a US immigration station, and the Coca-Cola Company is incorporated. It is also the year this farmhouse was erected in the rural hills on the border of Chanhassen and Chaska.

“So, there’s a lot of architectural history to preserve in this porch remodel,” explains Murphy Bros. design/build consultant Theresa Mann. “Protecting the architectural integrity of this dwelling was most certainly job one.”

Originally the homeowner had a long list of improvements, including a second-floor master suite. But by the time we literally dug into the porch and its crumbling foundation, we realized some of that scope of work would have to wait.

Therefore, we limited the remodel to a new laundry room, a new 4-season porch with 5 Marvin Elevate double-hung windows in bronze, a balcony on top, featuring special Azek pavers, some cosmetic tuck-pointing of the brick façade and chimney, and waterproofing the basement.

BEFORE: Exterior of home facing east with white porch on right, entrance and stoop.

Before Remodel and Progress

BEFORE: The main floor space was solely an office and below was the dark and dingy laundry.

After

The overall goal was to improve the usability of the porch space, which was nothing but a junk collection site and too hot in the summer and cold in the winter to use.