Porch Building Ideas

Three-Season Porches

• Perhaps the most extensive design (and potential remodeling) to consider is a three-season porch. Unlike sunrooms, a three-season porch is not generally insulated. In most areas of the United States, the porch may only be usable nine months of the year. In more temperate areas, it may function as a four-season room.

  When designing a three-season porch, you may consider an open-sided structure with railings or a glassed-in structure with partial walls. Most glassed-in designs incorporate removable glass panels. Fireplaces or hot tubs are popular additions to this type of porch. In most uses, the porch contains comfortable furniture, suitable for entertaining after dinner. Because the porch becomes another room of the house, additional electrical access may be required. While much of this can be done yourself, the project may be subject to local building codes. It may also be subject to approval from a homeowners association or other similar organization.

Screened Porches

• Another popular option is screened porches. Like three-season porches, these generally have partial walls for framing and supporting the screens. However, you can have full-length screen panels with porch pillars supplying the frames. Screened porches are easier to build than glassed-in ones and generally have fewer building code requirements. The screens keep your new living space insect-free and, if the porch receives too much sun and is too hot for much of the year, solar screens can be used.

  There are many types of screens and factors to consider, from mesh size to the material used. Screens are made of aluminum, copper, bronze, fiberglass, brass, stainless steel and vinyl-coated polyester. In general, screened porches offer more privacy than other types of porches.

Country-Style Porches

• Country-style porches stretch across the front of house, often wrapping around one or two sides. The porch may have a lower wall or be completely open. Before building one of these porches, check to make sure you will not violate any setback requirement in your neighborhood. These porches are typically decorated with simplicity in mind: a porch swing, a bench or a couple of wicker chairs. With the wraparound porch, you have the option of using sections of the porch differently. Around one corner you might have a ping-pong table or another game. You might set up a picnic table on one side, or add a side entrance to your house. Because you may have up to three exposures with a wraparound porch, you have a greater opportunity to find sun (or shade) as desired.