Building a front porch provides many incredible benefits to your home. It looks incredibly stylish, adds an outdoor space, and makes your home a lot more welcoming. But if you want to build a porch, where do you even start?
Well, long story short, you start by researching and planning. You want to figure out what kind of porch you want, especially in terms of size and style. Once you have an idea, it’s time to contact a pro and make the project come to life!
And that’s exactly what I’ll help you with today. Let’s break down the reasons why you should build a porch, what you need to consider in terms of design, as well as how to hire the right pro for the job.
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." – Walter Elliot
Why build a porch?
Outdoor space. Being able to sit on the porch and relax, regardless of the weather, is always very appealing. You can set up a bench, decoration, or even the classic porch swing for a comfortable and welcoming outdoor area.
Style. Front porches come in a variety of styles, and maybe that’s exactly what your home needs to truly shine. A porch also welcomes decoration, both year-round or seasonal such as Halloween and Christmas when those come around. Porch design is excellent for visual variety!
Convenience. There’s something special about being able to walk outside, rainy day or not, and take some fresh air from the comfort of your own porch.
Design considerations
Before you get in touch with a pro, you can already start thinking about your plans. Nothing is set in stone yet, so don’t worry too much, but it’s good to already have an idea of what you want.
First of all, where do you want to build a porch? A front porch is by far the most common, but you can also build on the side or the back if your home allows for it. The limitations are usually the space you have to work with, and obviously, the budget for it.
Then, a few other considerations:
Do you want railings? Railings are great for creating a proper zone and setting a nice barrier between your porch and the outside. Visually it looks great, but you can also do without them if you prefer an open porch design.
What about the roofing? Porches need a roofing structure, which means that the bigger they are, the more solid your structure has to be… and of course, it should all match your home’s current style.
How big do you want it to be? Depending on how your home is designed, that might influence the ideal size of your porch. But obviously, the bigger the porch, the higher the cost, so keep that in mind.
Hiring a pro to build a porch
When it comes to hiring a pro, there are a few important things you should know.
Mainly, you want a pro that focuses on porches and decks – it just makes the whole process much easier because you’ll be dealing with a specialized pro. Building and designing porches requires building a structure for the roof, the floor, as well as matching the look of your home.
Plus, depending on the size of your porch, you might need to add electrical wiring, which is another level of care that only a licensed pro can handle. Naturally, a pro will also be the best person to answer any other related doubts you might have, as well as helping you figure out the best plans for your home.
Get in touch with a decks and porches company to know more about this project!
Does a porch require a permit?
Usually, yes. Most structures that are considered permanent require a permit, especially if you’re adding electricity to it. You should investigate your local building codes to know for sure and take the necessary measures so that your construction is legal!
Ready to start planning your porch? Get free quotes from porch professionals in your area today!
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