Transforming Our Front Porch: From Dated Scallops to Modern Square Columns

For over a decade, ever since we first moved into our home in 2010, the idea of a front porch renovation has been a constant topic of conversation. Our vision was clear: bid farewell to the dated scalloped trim and give our porch a substantial upgrade, particularly by beefing up those slender columns. After what felt like an endless winter – seriously, we were still seeing snow just a few weeks ago – the warmer weather has finally arrived, signaling the perfect time to dive into this long-awaited outdoor project.

Out with the Old: Addressing Our Porch’s Dated Style

Our neighborhood is predominantly made up of ranch-style homes, and their front porches generally feature one of two distinct looks: either robust, chunky square columns or a more traditional, often colonial, aesthetic. We’ve always been drawn to the modern appeal and substantial presence of the former. Unfortunately, our house came with the latter, complete with a curved scallop header that, frankly, didn’t align with our personal style at all. This design choice felt flimsy and outdated, lacking the clean lines and impactful curb appeal we desired for our home’s entrance.

A Blast from the Past: Sherry’s Scallop Saga

Funnily enough, this wasn’t our first rodeo with a scalloped header. Our very first house presented a similar challenge, which Sherry valiantly tackled way back in 2008. That project turned out to be one of her most exhausting DIY endeavors to date, a tale she vividly recounts on her blog. The main culprit back then was some stubborn metal flashing that simply refused to budge, coupled with the fact that Sherry, working alone to surprise me, wasn’t quite tall enough to easily maneuver the tools. Despite the frustrations, the end result was a beautifully updated, clean-lined look that significantly improved our first home’s exterior. That success was all the motivation we needed to finally address the scallops here.

Demolition Day: Prepping for a Smooth Start

We knew this current porch project would be a whole new “beast” compared to Sherry’s previous experience. This time, there was no metal flashing to contend with (a huge relief!), but there was considerably more wood trim and structural elements that required careful consideration, not to mention our plans to completely transform the existing columns. Before we even thought about bringing out the heavy-duty demolition tools, I took a crucial preliminary step. I carefully ran a sharp utility knife along all the seams where the scalloped trim met the main structure. This simple action helps to “encourage” the old paint to break cleanly along the desired lines, preventing unsightly cracking, peeling, or flaking in areas we wanted to preserve. This scoring technique is especially vital when dealing with multiple, thick layers of exterior paint, ensuring a cleaner demo and less repair work down the line.

The Scallop Header Removal: Easier Than Expected!

Given Sherry’s harrowing tales from her last encounter with scallops, I braced myself for an exhausting and potentially frustrating demolition process. My optimism was, shall we say, cautiously guarded. So, imagine our pleasant surprise when, with just a few well-placed whacks from a rubber mallet, the curved scalloped header easily loosened its grip. Sherry, watching with bated breath, was just as relieved as I was. The absence of that tenacious metal flashing truly made all the difference!

Once the initial resistance was overcome and things were loose, we quickly moved in with a crowbar. With a satisfying series of pops and cracks, we were able to swiftly pry off the various sections of the curved scallop trim. The process was remarkably straightforward, a stark contrast to the challenges Sherry faced years ago. Teamwork, the right tools, and the lack of unforeseen obstacles truly made this stage of the project a breeze.

Admittedly, the porch looked a bit rough around the edges immediately after demolition – definitely not Instagram-ready just yet! However, the key takeaway was that the demo itself wasn’t nearly as bad as we had anticipated. The bulk of the unsightly scallops were gone, revealing a much cleaner, albeit unfinished, canvas for our modern vision.

Building Anew: Straight Lines and Modern Structure

This time around, having no metal flashing to fight, coupled with my extra height and the invaluable benefit of four hands working together (always better than two!), meant everything truly worked in our favor. In what felt like no time at all, all traces of the old scallops were gone. We could already feel the aesthetic improvement taking shape and a sense of accomplishment. The next critical step was to install a crisp, straight header to replace the outdated curve, and then, of course, to transform those spindly columns into the substantial, boxed-out pillars we’d been dreaming of.

Installing the New Straight Header

We began by installing the new header, opting for a simple yet effective piece of pre-primed 1 x 3-inch pine. This material choice not only provided a smooth, ready-to-paint surface but also offered excellent durability for exterior use. We meticulously cut it to length and then secured it in place where the old scallops once were, using both construction adhesive and nails. The glue ensures a strong, long-lasting bond, while the nails provide immediate hold, allowing the glue to cure properly. With that, the curvy, dated header was officially out, and a crisp, straight, and modern header was firmly in place.

Boxing Out the Columns: The Heart of the Transformation

While installing the header was a quick and satisfying win, the real excitement, and the true architectural transformation, began with boxing out the columns. This technique is a brilliant DIY hack: instead of undertaking the arduous and often costly task of removing the existing, slender columns, we chose to simply “box” them in. This involves encasing them on all four sides with new pre-primed pine boards, creating the illusion of much thicker, more substantial square columns. Not only is this method significantly faster and easier, but it’s also far more budget-friendly than a full column replacement. Our existing columns were just shy of eight feet tall, which meant our first step was precisely trimming each pine board to the correct length. Our trusty circular saw made quick work of this, ensuring clean, straight cuts for a professional finish.

The First Two Sides: A Perfect Fit

One of those truly serendipitous moments in DIY happened when we measured the width of our existing columns: they were exactly the width of a 1 x 6-inch board! This meant we didn’t need to rip any boards lengthwise, saving us a considerable amount of time and effort. We simply had to cut the boards to the desired height. To attach the first two sides, we applied a generous bead of heavy-duty exterior wood glue along the contact points of the existing column, then carefully positioned the new 1×6 boards. We secured them further with a few 2-inch nails driven into the top and bottom sections, where the new boards rested flat against the square parts of the old columns. For added long-term stability and peace of mind, we also strategically added a few screws, ensuring these new, beefier columns would stand strong for years to come.

Completing the Box: The Overlap Technique

After attaching the first two 1×6-inch boards, our columns were naturally wider. This meant for the remaining two sides, we needed slightly wider material. We opted for 1×8-inch boards, which, when installed, create an overlapping effect that forms a clean, continuous square. This might sound a little confusing at first, but essentially, the edges of the 1×8 boards overlap the edges of the previously installed 1×6 boards, neatly encasing the original column and creating a solid, chunky appearance. For a clearer visual, imagine a rough sketch where the new boards form a frame around the old one, with the outer two boards extending beyond the inner two.

It’s worth noting a common DIY nuance: while we call them “1×8-inch boards,” their actual width is typically closer to 7.5 inches. This results in our finished boxed columns measuring approximately 7.5 inches square, a subtle but important detail for anyone planning similar projects. The final dimensions create a robust and proportionate look, achieving our goal of substantial, modern columns.

Teamwork and Tools: Making the Job Easier

Physically boxing out these columns was made significantly smoother and faster thanks to two key elements: our trusty nail gun and Sherry’s indispensable second pair of hands. The nail gun allowed us to quickly and securely fasten the boards, dramatically cutting down on installation time and reducing physical strain. While one person could theoretically manage this task, it’s unequivocally a two-person job for optimal efficiency and accuracy. Having Sherry there to hold boards in place, ensure they were level, and provide an extra set of eyes was invaluable. Once a few points were secured, Sherry could even step back and capture some fantastic progress photos, like the one below, giving us a great visual record of our hard work.

Progress So Far & What’s Next for Our Porch Makeover

The entire process, from demo to the partial boxing of the columns, moved along quite swiftly. However, our progress was happily interrupted when Clara returned home from her fun afternoon with Grammy and Tom Tom, bringing our workday to a charming halt. Even though we didn’t get to finish everything in one go, you can clearly see the dramatic transformation taking shape and where we’re headed with the design. Notice how the newly boxed-out columns, with their substantial presence, now make the previously installed header look a little thin in comparison? We’ve already anticipated this! Our next step will involve adding a chunkier, more substantial header piece directly under the roofline. This will visually balance the new columns, creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing facade. Stay tuned for the next phase!

Our Remaining To-Do List: The Final Touches

We’re on the home stretch, but a few crucial steps remain to bring our porch renovation to a polished conclusion:

• Finish the Last Column: Complete the boxing-out process for the final column, ensuring consistency and symmetry across the porch.
• Add a Chunkier Header: Install a more substantial header piece above the newly beefed-up columns to achieve optimal visual balance and a robust architectural statement.
• Caulk All Seams: Meticulously caulk every seam and joint. This is vital not only for a seamless, professional finish but also for protecting the wood from moisture intrusion and the elements.
• Prime and Paint: Apply a high-quality primer and two coats of durable exterior paint to all new and pre-existing porch elements. This will unify the look, enhance curb appeal, and provide long-lasting protection.

We’re incredibly excited to share the true before-and-after photos once these final tasks are completed. The transformation will be dramatic, turning our dated porch into a modern, welcoming entrance. In the meantime, if you’re looking for another fun DIY, you might enjoy checking out this little loot-related craft that Sherry whipped up for Clara (and Will Bower) over on Young House Life.

Are you finally moving onto your outdoor projects this spring? What’s on your DIY agenda? Perhaps new flower beds to enhance your landscaping, a patio upgrade for outdoor entertaining, or an abundance of mulch to refresh your garden? Or maybe you’re getting crafty indoors? Whatever your project, happy DIYing! Just be careful if you’re making play money – you don’t want it to look too realistic and end up in any trouble!