Unique Aspects of Porch Design for a Private Residential Home

Features of design and finishing

The construction of the porch extension is the last thing to begin. To do this, take into account several tips and design recommendations:

• The design of the outdoor porch should match the style of the country house.
• For finishing, choose materials with a long service life.
• It is necessary to follow the installation technology, which affects the safe descent and ascent along the porch. For example, the upper platform should be at least 1 square meter in size, and also have a depth and width taking into account the type of entrance door and the method of opening the structure. The length of the platform is built depending on the number of doors that will lead to it.
• If the cottage has a basement and the entrance is located above ground level, the porch structure is equipped with steps and railings on the sides for convenience.

Types of porches

Visual examples of the main types of porch structures.

Porch with a canopy for a private house

The canopy is most often an extension of the roof and serves as protection from snow, rain and other precipitation. According to the requirements of special authorities, the canopy is located at a height of at least 20 centimeters above the front door.

This element not only allows you to arrange a comfortable entrance to the house, but also, due to the original design, turns into a real decoration of the surrounding exterior.

A large cottage requires a spacious porch structure attached to the terrace, which is additionally equipped as a recreation area.

The photo shows a private house with a large porch-terrace equipped with a canopy.

A forged iron canopy is an excellent solution. If the structure is supplemented with lanterns and hanging flowerpots, it will acquire an even more sophisticated look.

The best materials for finishing the canopy are metal tiles, polycarbonate, corrugated sheets, soft tiles or slate.

Closed porch for a house

Represents a covered a glazed extension protected from all sides. To ensure that a separate vestibule-like room matches the overall design of the cottage, the same roof is used for its finishing and windows of the same shape are installed. A wooden porch with a vestibule will look interesting against the background of a stone or brick house with shutters, a balcony or other wooden details.

The vestibule not only protects the entrance space from precipitation, but also minimizes heat loss that occurs when entering and exiting the room. Insulating the extension will help achieve a greater effect.

The porch with a closed veranda is located on the same foundation as the house. A similar design was initially included in the cottage project. The veranda performs the same functions as the vestibule porch, but at the same time has a large internal space that is used for different purposes.

The photo shows a closed porch-vestibule on the exterior of a country house.

Open porch with steps for a house

An extension that does not involve the installation of a canopy is distinguished by the fastest construction time. The main thing is the correct installation of the steps.

The photo shows an open-type porch with figured steps.

Material

The future appearance of the porch is determined by the selected building material. The following solutions are considered the most relevant.

Metal porch in a private house

A very impressive structure that harmoniously combines with a house in almost any architectural style. The metal structure is very durable, resistant to external influences and aggressive influences.

The photo shows a wooden house equipped with a forged metal porch structure.

A beautiful forged porch looks elegant and significantly transforms the exterior of a cottage, but it is quite expensive and complex to install.

Wooden porch to the house

Porch structures can be made of wood, timber or logs. They are most often covered with a canopy or completely closed, since precipitation has a negative impact on the array. If an open extension is planned, the structure must be treated with special impregnations to extend its service life.

The photo shows the exterior of a country house with a wooden porch.

Wooden decking is the most common option for arrangement. The material is fixed to a pre-prepared concrete, brick or metal base. In the design, it is preferable to use solid pine, which is inexpensive and is great for painting and varnishing.

Brick porch

A brick structure is not strong enough, for example, compared to a stone structure. If low-quality bricks are used, the porch may freeze in winter and collapse due to moisture penetration into the cracks.

The photo shows a brick porch attached to the veranda of a private house.

The best option would be frost-resistant and fireproof clinker brick. Such a porch will look great both against the background of a brick cottage and outside the house, finished with siding.

Concrete porch

The low cost and versatility of concrete provide this material with wide application in construction. Due to its reliability and solidity, a concrete porch structure with a reinforcement frame is not subject to loosening. Such a structure can be faced with any materials and have a wide variety of shapes.

Modern home design involves a concrete porch without finishing. This extension organically complements the surrounding exterior and favorably emphasizes the texture and color of the cottage.

The photo shows a private cottage with a concrete porch extension with a canopy.

Porch shapes

The platform and steps are classified into several types by shape.

Round porch for a private house

The oval porch design makes the corners of the house smoother and gives the exterior a certain elegance. It is best if such a structure is made of stone or brick.

The photo shows a large round porch-terrace on the exterior of a country house.

Circular steps that go around the extension provide convenient access from all three sides. This design for a house replaces a porch with several staircases.

Semicircular porch to the house

A semicircular porch extension has the same characteristics as a round structure, only on one side it is equipped with a parapet or complemented by a flower bed. The most difficult thing is to correctly organize the formwork of the desired configuration, the subsequent construction stages are standard.

Due to the soft semicircular outlines, the structure is distinguished by a harmonious appearance and is considered less traumatic. Such a porch can balance a house with a complex shape or large dimensions.

The photo shows a house with a semicircular porch extension.

Corner porch

An original architectural solution that can have any configuration. The platform can be triangular, trapezoidal, and even asymmetrical. The main thing is that the porch structure does not conflict with the overall design concept of the house exterior.

The photo shows a corner porch, laid out with dark clinker tiles.

Gable porch

A private cottage can have a porch structure on two sides, due to the location of buildings in the yard and if there is very little space near the house. The layout of the gable structure assumes a convenient descent in the desired direction.

However, a two-sided porch is characterized by a complex design and requires more construction costs than a simple one-sided extension.

How to decorate the porch?

Thanks to the huge With a variety of stone types with different textures and shades, you can create any design for a porch for a private home. Natural stone in the form of reliable granite, as well as marble and natural sandstone, is popular. For a cottage in a rustic style, an extension faced with rubble stone is perfect.

To make the finish look as aesthetically pleasing as possible, it is also advisable to lay out the base or the entire front wall of the cottage with natural stone.

The photo shows a private house with a porch structure finished with stonework.

The porch structure laid out with decking looks beautiful. It not only has high performance properties, but also has a pleasant aroma of natural wood.

Facing with paving slabs allows you to achieve an unnoticeable transition from the street to the house and erase the border between the cottage and the landscape.

Which side of the house is better to do?

An important element of a country cottage is a porch with the main entrance. It can be located on the left or right side of the building, at the end or in the center. Basically, the structure is added to the central part of the main facade.

The photo shows a porch-veranda located in the center of the main facade.

A porch extension is also placed on the side of the building or even on the back side. It is important to know that regulations prohibit direct entry into the house from the street.

Lighting recommendations

For a porch with a canopy of a strict shape, the installation of built-in lamps is suitable, which will not spoil the overall composition. A classic extension can be decorated with small pendant chandeliers or universal wall sconces.

An unusual solution would be to have decorative neon lighting, spotlights or landscape lights.

To save electricity, it is advisable to choose devices equipped with sensors that respond to movement and sound.

The photo shows a private house with a porch extension decorated with a wall lamp.

How to decorate a porch: design and decor ideas

As a finishing touch, the porch structure is complemented with railings. This fence can be decorated with vertical balusters or horizontal crossbars. The gaps are filled with carved wooden or openwork elements. They are often supported by identical details that are present in the decoration of window frames, lanterns, fences or canopies.

For a large extension, columns are used. They give the exterior of a private house solidity and chic.

An arch that turns a porch into a gazebo looks unusual. A brick cottage is suitable for creating such a romantic design.

The photo shows a porch structure decorated with curtains and hanging flower pots.

Plants are a universal decor. Flowerpots and hanging planters look beautiful on the porch area. The railings can be braided with climbing plants, and flower beds will be perfectly located along the stairs.

With the help of light curtains, you can ennoble the porch-veranda or terrace and turn the extension into a cozy place to relax and a summer cafe.

The photo shows the design idea of a large porch with columns in a private house.