Front Porch Restoration at The Parksdale House (1857)

There is something special about bringing a historic home's front porch back to life. At The Parksdale House, the porch has welcomed visitors for more than 160 years, and after decades of wear, it was time to give it the attention it deserved.

One of the first major projects in our restoration journey was replacing the deteriorated porch decking with new pressure-treated lumber that will preserve both the beauty and functionality of this historic gathering space.

Choosing the Right Materials

Because this porch will see years of foot traffic, weather, and countless visitors, durability was just as important as appearance.

For the project, we used:

5/4 in. x 6 in. x 10 ft. Standard Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Yellow Pine Decking Boards
Pressure-treated lumber designed for ground-contact applications to provide long-term protection against moisture, insects, and decay.

While the boards are new, they'll naturally weather over time, blending beautifully with the character of this 1857 home.

Supporting a Local Business

Whenever possible, we want this restoration to support local businesses that have served Eastern North Carolina for generations.

We purchased all of our decking materials from Henderson Lumber Company in Tarboro, North Carolina. Family-owned since 1935, Henderson Lumber has supplied contractors, homeowners, and restoration projects throughout the region for more than 90 years. Their knowledgeable staff made it easy to source exactly what we needed for this project.

Project Cost

The total cost for this phase of the project came to:

$2,315.60

That investment included:

All porch decking materials
A beautiful pine porch swing that will eventually become one of our favorite places to sit and enjoy the property

For anyone restoring a historic home, it's worth remembering that costs can vary depending on lumber prices, porch size, and the amount of structural repair required beneath the decking. Fortunately, the framing beneath this section of the porch was in good condition, allowing us to focus on replacing the decking itself.

A Fresh Beginning

Walking across the new porch boards is a reminder that restoration happens one project at a time.

Every new board helps protect the home's structure while preserving its historic character for future generations. Although this may seem like a simple repair, projects like these are what make larger restorations possible.

The porch is once again becoming a place where family, friends, and future guests can gather—just as it was intended more than a century and a half ago.

What's Next?

With the new decking complete, our attention now turns to the next stages of restoring The Parksdale House, including:

Repairing and restoring additional sections of the historic porch (ceiling)
Preparing the new decking for its long-term finish with stain
Restoring original architectural details and trim on the second story porch
Continuing structural repairs throughout the home
Beginning interior restoration work room by room (bathroom first)

Every completed project brings us one step closer to returning The Parksdale House to the grand home it once was.

Follow Our Restoration Journey

The restoration of The Parksdale House is just getting started. From structural repairs and historic preservation to design decisions and behind-the-scenes progress, we'll be sharing every step along the way.

Whether you're passionate about historic homes, restoration projects, or simply enjoy watching old places come back to life, we'd love to have you join us.

Follow our journey by subscribing to our blog and following us on social media for the latest updates, photos, and milestones as we bring this 1857 North Carolina landmark back to life.