A front porch addition will bring life to your home

A front porch addition, whether it’s a simple gable over the front door or a new wrap-around porch, almost always adds instant curb appeal and real value to your home. You have several options to choose from, and each can be modified to meet your specific needs.

A pediment is a low-pitched triangular gable that extends over the front door. They are not structural and come in a variety of styles. Most people finish the gables with pilasters on each side to cover the entrance. The Parthenon is a fine example of pediment architecture. Most people today use a facsimile of a pediment, that is, they put molding over the door to simulate the actual pediment.

Another addition to the front porch is adding a hip or gable roof over the driveway to cover the existing porch structure. Support columns and railings complete the look to create a real porch. For a unique look, you can add a skylight. Many home builders relieve the porch roof to save cost; however, it is not difficult to build one in most structures.

Another popular addition to the front porch, especially for small driveways, is to install an awning. This is a quick and relatively easy way to cover the door. Awnings come in a wide range of colors, styles, and require minimal maintenance.

Want a larger front porch addition but can’t afford new construction costs? Expand your small porch by building an adjacent patio area. Backyard porches, as I like to call them, allow you room for a bistro table for two, a swing or rocker to relax on, or even patio furniture for a larger gathering. You can use bushes and other plants to create privacy if necessary.

Build a bigger porch or expand the one you have. This option is probably on most lists of great front porch additions. Whether you build it yourself or custom build it, a well-designed front porch adds immediate curb appeal and value. A common mistake; however, it is that most people do not make the porch big enough. You don’t want to overload your home, but having a porch large enough to comfortably accommodate friends and neighbors, provide space to relax or dine, or just a place for the kids to play takes a bit of planning.

If it’s big enough, you can create a screened-in porch room combo and have the best of both worlds. Add glass or vinyl panels to the sheltered room to extend your time outdoors in most parts of the country.

Last but not least, you could create a four-season room as a front porch addition to expand the actual square footage of your home. This works especially well for those houses with a view. Now you can enjoy it all year long.

Here are some of the top front porch additions you can consider for your home. There’s nothing like sitting on a porch watching the world go by.