Front porches remain an essential living space for homeowners
Porches that have served for years as a place to relax and cool down with a glass of iced tea are now even more important to homeowners who use them as an outdoor retreat where families gather to enjoy a meal or cool summer breeze.
Whether remodeling or selling your home, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), said the fact still remains that a porch is an essential and desired feature for many homeowners.
According to judges for an annual NAHB competition, outdoor living spaces have become an 鈥渆ssential design trend鈥� for homes nationwide.
Better Homes and Gardens said porches can also provide extra living space and give your home exterior a fresh facade.
Richard Adams Sr., owner of Adams Roofing located in Spraggs, Greene County, said porches are great to have during the summer or sit out on during the evening.
Opposed to outdoor decks, which are generally uncovered, Adams said porches have roofs, which makes it nice when the weather is rainy.
According to Adams, metal and gable roofs are popular on porches that he builds along with using wood or composite decking for the floor. A lot of people also opt for indoor/outdoor carpet.
Regardless of the size, budget or decorating taste, Do-It-Yourself home design ideas recommends incorporating different elements into the front porch to dramatically enhance the curb appeal.
When planning the construction of a new porch, NAHB recommends to consider the following:
Size: The porch is an accessory, so it shouldn鈥檛 overwhelm the main structure of the house.
Location: If your home has the flexibility, the side of your home your porch is located on is important. Don鈥檛 forget about accessing the porch from the home, and what design impact that may have on the interior rooms.
Features: To ensure aesthetic flow, try to use the same materials to build your porch as are used in the home, especially the exterior surfaces.
You should also take into account any other factors that could affect the enjoyment of your new porch.
Consider installing screens if you live where there are lots of flying insects, or glass windows so you can extend the use of your porch into cooler months.
If you plan to use the porch during the night hours, make sure you install either sufficient lighting or outlets for lamps. A ceiling fan is a good idea to make the space more comfortable in warm temperatures.
Use social media websites to provide ideas on style and decorating.