We’ve talked in previous blogs about adding a patio or porch on the back of your home for entertaining, but a front porch is another great way to extend your home’s living space. Front porches were once a part of nearly all home design and there is no reason you can’t have one on your home, especially if your home remodeling plans include the exterior.
By working with an experienced design/build company, you can be assured that your porch will look like it belongs on your home and fits in with your neighborhood. The space you have available, the style of your home and any other home remodeling projects you’re doing in addition to your new front porch, all influence how your new porch should look. Here are some ideas to help you get started on the perfect new space.
Choose the Right Materials
The two most common options for front porches are poured concrete and wood. Although concrete comes with the benefit of little maintenance, it’s also prone to cracking over time. With proper upkeep, a wood porch can look great and last for decades. If your porch is not at ground level, you’ll also need stairs and a finishing material around the base. Here are some options:
- Stone. Both real stone and cultured stone are a great option for brick homes, especially when you can’t match the original brick.
- Brick. Many homeowners choose brick around a concrete patio. If that’s your choice, also consider building the stairs with brick for a cohesive look.
- Lattice. If you’ve chosen wood for your new porch, lattice is a great option to hide the space below while still allowing fairly easy access beneath.
- Siding. When you’re also re-siding your home, adding siding to the outside of your wood patio is easy and compliments the home.
Depending on the height of your porch, you may need railings per building codes. Your design/build company can install glass, metal, wood or even wire railings, depending on the style you’re going for.
Finishing Touches
Once your home remodeling company finishes construction, your work begins. Don’t forget to have plenty of comfortable seating so you and your family can enjoy the new space. You’ll need to find the right furnishings and décor. If you have a historic home, you might want some vintage pieces that you repurpose – things like an old trunk to use as a table or wicker furniture. Of course, wicker works no matter what style you’re trying to convey; it’s the little extras like pillows and seasonal décor that relay the style.
Schedule a Complimentary Design Consultation
When you’re ready to add a new porch or when you need help with any other home remodeling project, call the team at G.M. Roth Design Remodeling. We will schedule a time to meet with you to discuss your project ideas at your home or our showroom. Call us today at (603) 880-3761 or fill out our contact form. We’re licensed and insured in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
