The porch is an important architectural element in the design of a private house. In order for it not only to look presentable, but also to function for many years, during construction it will be necessary to pay enough attention to the selection of materials.
What should be considered when registering?
Thinking over the project of the future porch, it is necessary to take into account the size of the house itself, as well as what material is more appropriate for a particular situation. For instance, for a small wooden structure clad with siding, massive brick steps are unlikely to be suitable.
Dimensions (edit)
The comfort of using an architectural element largely depends on its size. The height of the steps should not exceed 25 centimeters, and the optimal one does not go beyond the boundaries of 14-18 centimeters at all. The average value is considered comfortable for both small children and older residents of the house. The height of the steps less than 14 centimeters is not particularly convenient to use. The situation only gets worse if the floor is very high in the main house.
The area of the porch itself is determined depending on the number of people who will use it, as well as what additional functions it should perform (for example, whether free space is required for decoration). However, the top deck should always be at least one square meter.
The most convenient canopy covers the entire porch, protecting the surface from precipitation.
Materials (edit)
Wood
One of the most common options for building a porch. As a rule, glued timber, beams or rounded logs are used for this purpose. Solid oak and other hardwoods, larch and pine are the best. While quality wood always looks decent, it is important to choose a variety that matches the style or color palette of the entire building.
The wooden porch can be decorated with carvings, supplemented with stone elements, or left intact. It will also work well with bricks and bark beetle plaster.
Since the material itself does not differ in durability, it should first be impregnated with a special solution that protects against mold, rot or fungi. Additionally, the surface can be coated with varnish or paints with special properties.
It is better to make a wooden porch with a frame, although you can use solid logs and half-logs from oak or birch
The floor is most conveniently assembled from a floor or terrace board, and the railings are formed from chiseled balusters.
Concrete
A concrete porch is reliable, especially if there is a reinforcement frame. Such an element is not afraid of mechanical damage, precipitation, or other atmospheric phenomena. Despite the fact that the base can be veneered with any material, the modern design allows it to be used without finishing. The porch can have a simple geometric shape or surprise with arched ledges and wavy elements.
This option is also considered very economical, because only water, sand, gravel and cement are required to form a concrete object. This material goes well with wooden details, decorative clinker tiles or stone.
Brick
A brick structure is not as strong as a stone one, but much more reliable than a wooden one. If you choose a low-quality material, then it is likely that the porch will freeze or collapse, which will be caused by moisture filling the cracks. Therefore, before starting construction, you should make sure that the selected type of clinker blocks is frost-resistant and refractory.
A brick porch is designed quite simply, and the material itself cannot be called expensive
Suitable decorative elements for such a structure are forged elements with curls or massive brick railings.
A rock
The advantages of natural stone include its appearance, durability and strength. A stone porch can be made from any kind of this material, although granite is most appreciated, which looks attractive and is resistant to any external influences. Such a structure can be supplemented with columns and other monumental details.
Metal
An interesting solution is the manufacture of a porch made of metal - such a structure can decorate a house in almost any style. A solid structure is not afraid of precipitation and any other external influences (especially if you treat it with a solution against corrosion), but its purchase and installation will cost a decent amount.
A metal porch can have absolutely any shape, which will allow it to be adapted to any exterior of the house. As an addition, wooden and forged elements are suitable.
It is customary to paint the structure in black or white, although the use of bright colors is also acceptable.
Styles
You can decorate a porch in a private house in different styles
Modern style is universal - such a structure is suitable for buildings made of almost any material. Its characteristic features are the presence of geometric lines and the correctness of shapes. The steps and platform of a usually small porch are made of stone or tiles
"Ethnic" porch attracts attention with an abundance of carved elements and various folk symbols. As a rule, it is made from roughly processed wood in a natural color
Classic design has a gable canopy, chiseled railings and decorative rounded baluster. The decoration of the steps and the platform itself can be carried out using tiles and natural stone
Russian style looks harmonious only in wooden houses. All finishes are made of wood, decorated with metal inserts or carved elements
Natural stone suitable for loft-style porch decoration. For the decoration of such a structure, forged elements and pots with climbing plants are used
Porch design options
The porch extension of a country house can have any design, but it is better to stick to a few simple rules. For instance, the design of the entrance area must correspond to both the landscape design available on the site and the style of the main structure. For finishing, it is still better to take materials that are durable.
The chosen mounting technology must ensure safe descent and ascent to the porch.
Simple
If the house is equipped with a high foundation, then when installing the steps leading to the main entrance, one should not forget about the railings - in principle, this is enough to form a traditional structure. For to make the porch look more complete, it can be supplemented with a roof, canopy or decorative elements. By the way, in order to diversify such a model, you can also make two staircases leading in different directions instead of one classical one.
With canopy and steps
The canopy can be a small canopy over the entrance of an open porch, or it can be an extension of the roof and protect a large area, including steps. Most often, a single-slope or gable form of the structure is chosen, or a dome or arched one, located at a height of at least 20 centimeters above the entrance door.
It is more correct to make the covering of the canopy from polycarbonate - this material is inexpensive, but it makes it possible to create any bends of the lines. Other design ideas involve the use of metal tiles and wood for the canopy.
It is important to remember that even a small visor can transform the appearance of the porch and create the necessary protection from the sun and rain.
Terrace
If the free space allows, then from the porch you can make a full-fledged terrace for relaxation, open or closed. The annex is usually filled with garden furniture, decorated with tubs of plants and illuminated with street lamps.
It is better to make the steps and the platform itself of stone, concrete and brick, and if wood is chosen, then it is necessary with a protective impregnation from moisture and insects. For a porch-terrace, you will need to make a perimeter fence made of concrete, metal, wood, or their combinations.
Closed
A closed porch is a small covered and glazed vestibule that maintains the required microclimate in the house. Due to it, in the summer, less heat from the street gets into the main building, which means it becomes cooler. In winter, on the other hand, a closed porch maintains a comfortable temperature inside. In order for the closed porch to be combined with the design of the house, you will need to use the same roof and the same type of windows as decoration.
It should be added that the porch of a private house can have different shapes
- Round, or rather, oval design, adds elegance to the main structure and smooths out sharp corners. It looks most natural when it is stone or brick. A circular extension, which is logical, requires circular steps, which, in turn, allows you to climb it from all sides.
- A semicircular porch is identical to a round one, but on one or both sides it is complemented by a parapet or a flower bed.
- A corner porch can be triangular, trapezoidal, or even asymmetrical.
Lighting
Correctly selected lighting devices not only work for their intended purpose, but also decorate the porch. For a laconic design and strict lines, built-in lamps that do not stand out against the background of a well-thought-out composition are more suitable. For an extension in a classic style, you can purchase pendant chandeliers of a calm design or neat wall sconces. In some cases, spotlights, neon lights, or even landscape lights will look appropriate.
However, whatever the choice of lighting devices, it is always better to select models with motion and sound sensors.
How to decorate with flowers?
In summer, the easiest way to decorate the porch is with potted plants: hanging pots and flowerpots. They can be placed both on the steps of the extension, and on the main site, the walls of the house or even the railing. In the latter case, climbing plants look most harmonious. Themed figurines and decorative figurines will serve as an ideal complement to the composition, and light curtains will hide the space from prying eyes and create the atmosphere of a coastal cafe.
Beautiful examples
Even the simplest porch can be transformed by choosing the design and purchasing the appropriate decor. For example, the choice of a contrasting dark gray shade for painting wooden steps, as well as the organization of small railings, becomes a plus. The second floor of the house forms a natural roof over the extension. The space is decorated with hanging planters and floor pots with flowers, a swing with a soft seat, wall decor and a small lamp.
If space allows, then from the porch you can make not even one, but several recreation areas. Two staircases lead to a large area from different points on the site. The neat white wooden railings smoothly transform into the enclosing elements of the site. To the right of the entrance is a eating area with a table and a set of chairs, as well as a couple of sun loungers. On the left side, the place is occupied by a jacuzzi, and at the very steps there are a couple of barbecues. The porch is decorated with wall lamps and plant pots, installed not only on the floor, but also on the steps and railings.