How to Build Your Own Small Front Porch

Measure the space where you intend to build your front porch. Draw out a site plan and porch construction drawings and submit them -- along with an application and any other necessary documents -- to the building authorities to receive a building permit. Pay any applicable fees at the time of submitting your documents.

Remove the siding of your house at the base up to no less than 1 foot above where the top of porch will rest. Cover the exposed area with a weatherproofing membrane. Measure and mark the location for where you will attach the deck's ledger to the house.

Tack the ledger board to the house using 16D galvanized nails. Secure the ledger to the house's rim joists by first drilling pilot holes through the ledger and the rim joists. Insert 1/2-inch lag screws and tighten them down.

Attach self-adhering waterproofing membranes to the ledger board as well as metal flashing to protect it from rain and other inclement weather. Make sure that both the weatherproofing and the flashing run the entire length of the ledger and extend up the side of the house. Use nails to secure the flashing over the top of the weatherproof membrane.

Dig holes in the ground using a shovel or a post hole digger to set in your porch's footing and piers according to the dimensions outlined in your plan. Place the footing piers into the holes, and to secure them in place, back fill the holes around the piers. Check the piers to make sure they are level, then pour in concrete to set them in place. Allow the concrete to dry for one week.

Position post bases in the footing piers. Remove the post bases, drill holes into the piers using a hammer drill with a masonry bit, and insert anchor bolts. Secure the post bases in place with the anchor bolts.

Cut your lumber for beams as well as double-sided rim joists. Secure them together using 12D galvanized nails and construction adhesive. Fit the side rim joists to the edge (on opposite sides) of the ledger by inserting them into hangars. Use 16D nails for both of the sides. Fasten hangers to the inside of the front rim joist piece. Place the inner lumber pieces of the front rim joist into the appropriate post bases.

Use 16D galvanized nails to secure both of the side rim joists to the front rim joist. Fasten your joist hangars to the ledger and to the front rim joist at even intervals. Fit and nail the beams into place. Attach hangars to both sides of the beams, and then set and secure the inner joists in place using 12D galvanized nails.

Attach trim and decking to finish your small front porch. Measure your decking to hang over the front rim joist and trim 1 inch. Use a polyurethane marine sealant above the rim joists as you lay down your decking, and secure the decking into place by hammering in 8D finishing nails at 12- to 16-inch intervals. Replace the siding of your house, making sure it ends 1/2 inch above the decking of your porch. Sand and stain the decking and trim according to your preferences.