Remember back, not so long ago when the front porch served as a gathering place for families and neighbors? The idea of the front porch takes us back to a time when the world was a little more relaxed, time moved a little slower and people took pleasure in the simpler things in life. It wasn’t uncommon to enjoy a glass of ice cold lemonade over conversation and rock away the time on the front porch, or even enjoy a little front porch guitar on those sunny Columbus afternoons.
The cultural significance of the front porch is still alive and well today. This article titled ” The Evolution of the American Front Porch” published in conjunction with the University of Virginia describes the historical significance. “In many ways, the front porch represented the American ideal of family. The porch, in essence, was an outdoor living room, where the family could retire after the activities of a long day. In the evenings, as the outdoor air provided a cool alternative to the stuffy indoor temperatures, the entire family would move to the front porch. The children might play in the front yard or the friendly confines of the neighborhood, while the parents rocked in their chairs, dismissing the arduous labors and tasks of the day into relaxation and comfort.”
Although homeowners today generally focus their outdoor living attention to the back of their homes, front porches are still in high demand. Not only do front porches serve a functional purpose of covering the area around the front door, but they also provide maximum curb appeal to a home. Archadeck of Columbus receives many requests for front porch additions. These requests stem from homeowners looking for a way to improve the beauty of the front of their home, and to provide a more suitable way to mark entry into the home. Like all porches we build, we always try to match or compliment the architecture and colors of your existing home. Our goal is to design a front porch addition that looks original to your home; like it has always been there.
On this front porch in Columbus, OH we brought in different stone to match and compliment the home’s front facade. Even though the stones are different, they work together beautifully on this relaxed front porch design. Four columns add elegance to the curved roof design as well.
This front porch is a more updated version of the beloved “rocking chair front porch” of yesteryear. By using an open air design combined with square columns, Archadeck of Columbus transformed the curb appeal of this home. On older front porches we will often use vintage style wood from historical districts the way it was originally designed to be used to build the front porch.
This front porch was built using low-maintenance materials with a TimberTech composite floor and vinyl railings. Today’s porch material options far exceed the porches of the past as they are easier to maintain and built with longevity in mind. Many homeowners opt for closed gables in their front porch design because it gives the porch more protection from the elements.
Keep in mind that a front porch doesn’t have to be large in order to make a huge impact on the front of your home. This front porch is built to accentuate the design of this home. Built using low-maintenance materials in colors that compliment the existing home while still providing plenty of room for a chair, it’s a resting place for the umbrella and room to kick off your shoes after a long day!
Contact Archadeck of Columbus today to inquire about putting together a front porch or portico design that will make you the envy of the neighborhood. We can help you create a grand entrance that is worthy of your home. Call today for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net
Please visit our portico and front porch photo gallery located on our website to see more inspiring examples of entrances worthy of a second glance.
Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus 