A Testament to Problem Solving

While working on a railing installation, a client mentioned his neighbor was interested in adding an awning over their front porch. “Sure, we do that,” we replied. A week later, we met with the homeowner to discuss their vision.

The existing front porch did not match the rest of the house, and the homeowner shared a concept sketch created by his architect brother-in-law. I was honest and explained that we had never built anything quite like this before. I asked for a week to consider the project. If I could figure out all the details, I would provide an estimate. If not, I would help with a new design or refer them elsewhere.

The challenge was clear. I needed to determine how to build curved rafters, securely attach the structure to the house, source custom roof brackets, find a fabricator for the copper roof, and have the plans professionally engineered. Over the next week, I reached out through our network and lined up all the resources needed.



When I returned to the homeowner, I explained that while the project would not be inexpensive, we could deliver exactly what they wanted. However, there was still uncertainty about the structure behind the existing porch. Even after using a borescope, we could not get a complete view of what was hidden.

We proceeded with an estimate that allowed for possible surprises after demolition. Sure enough, once work began, we discovered two significant issues. The roof was framed into the wall with no brick veneer in the corners, and the brick above the porch was being supported by the porch itself rather than a proper steel lintel. The lintel in place had been cut in the middle and was not fastened to the wall framing.

Our priorities became clear: support the brick to prevent collapse and find a way to cover the exposed corners. The homeowner was set on the original design, so changing the canopy shape was not an option. We partnered with a skilled mason to install matching brick in the corners and properly fit a new lintel to support the brickwork, reshaping the porch opening as planned. Within three days, the masonry was complete and blended seamlessly with the original.

From there, construction moved forward smoothly. The framing inspection went off without a hitch, and we moved on to the copper roof. Fabricating the roof panels for a perfect fit required building the structure first and taking precise measurements, but the process was efficient and the results were stunning.



In the end, the finished porch matched the concept image, only better, with a beautifully crafted ceiling. The homeowners were thrilled with their new space, and we were proud to have delivered a creative solution to a truly unique challenge.

Every remarkable space begins with a single idea and the courage to imagine something new. If you find yourself dreaming of a place where mornings feel brighter and evenings linger a little longer, we would be honored to help shape that vision.

Let Triangle Tradesmen turn your inspiration into a sanctuary of beauty, comfort, and connection. Request a private consultation, and let’s create something unforgettable together.