Porches

A porch can provide useful additional space without requiring a large extension.

Wet coats, muddy footwear, umbrellas and outdoor equipment can be kept closer to the entrance rather than being brought directly into the hallway. This can be particularly useful for family homes and properties in rural locations. The enclosed area also creates an additional barrier between the main living space and outside conditions. Opening an external porch door does not immediately expose the hallway to wind and rain, provided the original entrance door remains in place.

This can be especially useful in Cumbria and the South Lakes, where exposed properties can experience considerable wind and rainfall throughout the year.

A porch may also improve the layout of an entrance that currently feels cramped or exposed. The additional space can make arriving home, receiving visitors or taking deliveries more convenient. The intended use should be considered during the design stage. A porch primarily intended as a weather-protected entrance may require a different layout from one designed to provide space for shoes, coats or other everyday items.

Windows and doors form a large part of many porch designs, making their specification important to the finished appearance.

South Lakes Windows can provide different window styles depending on the property. Casement, flush, fixed and cottage windows can all be considered where appropriate, allowing the glazing to complement windows already installed in the house. The entrance door can also be selected from several options. A composite door can provide a substantial main entrance, while UPVC, timber and aluminium doors provide alternatives for different property styles. Where the original front door remains in place and a new external door is added to the porch, the two doors can be chosen to work together rather than competing visually.

Glazing can be used to bring daylight into the porch and existing hallway. Clear glass provides the greatest view through the entrance, while obscure or patterned glass can increase privacy. Decorative glazing and traditional glazing patterns can also be considered where they suit the architecture of the property.

A modern enclosed porch can be specified with energy efficient windows, doors and glazing.

Double glazed windows help reduce heat transfer through the glazed sections, while insulated door construction and suitable weather seals provide protection around the entrance. The roof and solid sections also need appropriate consideration, particularly if the porch is intended to form part of the home’s enclosed internal space.

The exact thermal requirements will depend on the design and how the porch connects with the existing house. A porch where the original external-quality front door remains between the porch and the home is different from a project where that door is removed and the porch becomes part of the internal accommodation.

South Lakes Windows will discuss the intended design during the initial survey so that the appropriate construction, glazing and door options can be considered.

Porches can be designed to suit a wide variety of homes.

Traditional properties may benefit from pitched roofs, timber-style frames and window details that reflect the existing architecture. Georgian or astragal bars can be considered where similar details appear elsewhere on the building. A cottage porch can use carefully proportioned windows and a traditional entrance door to complement stone walls and existing timber features.

For modern properties, larger glazed sections, simpler window arrangements and contemporary door designs can create a cleaner appearance. Aluminium frames can also be considered where slim profiles and larger areas of glass are wanted. Roof design is another important part of the project. Pitched and other roof configurations can be considered according to the available space, existing rooflines and overall porch design.

Our team can help homeowners compare different combinations before settling on a final specification.

Some porches can be built under permitted development rights, but this depends on the individual project and property.

Factors including the size and height of the proposed porch and its position in relation to the highway and property boundaries can affect whether planning permission is required. Different restrictions can also apply to listed buildings, properties within conservation areas and homes where permitted development rights have been removed. Building Regulations requirements can also depend on the construction and how the porch connects with the existing property.

Homeowners should therefore establish the planning and Building Regulations position for their particular project rather than assuming that every porch is exempt.

This is particularly important in areas with significant numbers of traditional and protected properties, including parts of the Lake District, Cumbria, North Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales.