Hi everyone! Dena here from Fletcher Creek Cottage. I’m back with a new DIY project, and this one’s especially exciting because it’s part of building my dream forever home on our property here in Michigan. If you’ve followed my journey, you know that I live on 65 acres just outside my hometown. While I’m currently living in a cottage that my husband and I built from scratch, this new home is going to be our forever place.
As I work on the porch for this new house, I wanted to share how I’ve been using Simpson Strong-Tie products to help make it happen. In particular, I used the CPTZ™ concealed post tie for the posts of the porch, and I’m excited at how it turned out.
Living in Michigan means we deal with all sorts of weather, including high winds and snow. That’s why I needed something sturdy and reliable for my porch construction. The CPTZ is exactly what I was looking for — it gives a clean, concealed look while still providing serious durability. This concealed post base offers a 1″ standoff height above the concrete, which is key for reducing the potential for decay at the post end. The last thing I want is for my porch posts to be vulnerable to moisture or rot, and this connector keeps everything high and dry.
These post bases are so great! We can secure the posts to the concrete and have a hidden base supporting the post so there’s no contact between the post and the concrete. We can trim out the posts after we wrap them, and everything will be hidden. Love it.
Along with the CPTZ, I also used Simpson Strong-Tie’s LRU28Z face-mount rafter hanger for the rafter-to-ridge connections. This hanger is a great choice for applications requiring a sloped hanger, and I found it to be easy to install. The design of the LRU28Z allows it to be put in place either before or after the rafter, so it’s a time-saver too. It’s just another example of how Simpson Strong-Tie has helped make my project go smoothly.
Building a porch isn’t a cinch, especially when you have to account for things like being in a high-wind or snow area. But with the right products, the job becomes much easier, and I’m happy with how the porch is coming together. Simpson Strong-Tie has helped me achieve the strong, lasting structure I need with an aesthetic I love.
Thanks for following along with my journey, and stay tuned for more projects I’ll be working on at the homestead. You can also check out my video below, where I walk you through the latest updates to the house, including building the porch and adding exterior stonework.
