Top Tips for Creating the Perfect Porch

Over recent years porches have become a more popular choice for homeowners, and they can add the perfect finishing touch to the exterior of a property. They are no longer just a quaint feature on seaside cottages or period homes, and they can look just as good on new-builds, as well as offering practical benefits.

What Is a Porch?

A porch can be classed as any structure that is external to the actual walls and provides an enclosed space or a small roof, such as a UPVC door canopy. They were traditionally built to protect the front of the house from the elements and to give a space for shoes and coats.

Benefits of a Porch

A well-designed and constructed porch can be an asset to a property and gives it a focal point that helps it stand out from neighbouring properties. As this marks out the entrance to the house, it will be the first area that people see and, as such, it will make a big difference to its kerb appeal. There are both practical and design benefits to having a porch, and it’s a great way of containing any mud and mess that’s brought in from outside or protecting the rest of the house from the cold and drafts.

Ideas for Porches

The various styles of porches can differ significantly, as well as the costs involved. The easiest and cheapest solution is to have an open porch or a UPVC door canopy built, which gives protection to people coming in and out. This type of structure can make a big difference to the front of your house and typically won’t require planning permission.

If you opt for a semi-enclosed or enclosed porch, then it’s best to check with the planning department at your local authority about the requirements before the work starts. A cost-effective and low-maintenance material for building porches of this type is UPVC, or you may want to choose a wooden porch, which can have more aesthetic appeal but will cost considerably more.

Whichever material you choose for your porch, the important factor is that it’s designed properly and creates a high-quality finish. Otherwise it could actually have a detrimental effect on the look and value of your home.

One of the mistakes that can be made when designing a porch is to choose a style that matches the roof pitch, but this is not always the right option. Where you don’t have a particularly attractive roof line, you should choose something that is a lot simpler and takes the emphasis away from the roof itself. If you do go for a pitched porch, it’s best not to have lighting dangling from it, as these can attract spiders and other insects and create an untidy look.

A well-thought-out porch that is complemented by the rest of the exterior, such as the windows, boundaries and plants, can create a real wow factor and be an asset to the property.