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Porch Post placement needs to be very carefully considered to achieve as much balance as possible without placing Posts in front of doors or windows. Placement of steps should also factor into Post planning.

We believe adding an extra Porch Post on each level of this porch might permit better Post spacing. For example, the next to last Post on the right could be moved to be the same distance from the corner as the second Post on the left. And it looks like the current third Post from the left could be fudged a little to the left without blocking the steps. That would allow a new Post between the current third and fourth Posts. It should be the same distance from the center of the porch as the newly moved third Post would be from the center.

Adding these Posts would also focus attention on the two center doors, as the Posts on either side of these doors would be spaced more closely to each other than any other pair of Posts.

Close-up - Porch Photo 42

CLOSE-UP If the Post arrangement outlined above was adopted, the Posts on either side of the center doors would be equal distances from those doors. Also, because the front gable is centered on the length of this house, redoing the Porch Post placement would achieve symmetry with this important element.

Fortunately, it is not that difficult to move Porch Posts IF railings have not been installed. Even when balustrade is already in place, it is often possible to move Posts without having to purchase very many new rails. An experienced carpenter will use an inexpensive 'bottle' jack (available at Wal-Mart) and a temporary support to relieve just enough pressure to move one Post at a time.

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