Porch
A porch is a covered, single-storey structure that can be enclosed, and projects out from a house or other building. It is a particularly popular option for extending a domestic building, typically at the front entrance, where it can provide additional space, allow the creation of a draft lobby and create an architectural focus. It can also be relatively inexpensive to construct.
A porch can help reduce heat loss from the building, improve energy efficiency and create useful storage space for coats and shoes.
Generally, a porch consists simply of low-level brick dwarf walls, columns, windows and a door. It will require foundations, and the junctions between the walls of the porch and those of the existing building will need to be properly sealed.
Internally, they can be left as open brick or plastered and painted. They will often have a light fitting and an electric socket and a door bell, intruder alarm or other entry system.
Due to their relatively small size, a porch may not require planning permission (although they may in a conservation area or for a listed building, so it is best to check with the local planning authority). Building regulations approval may also be required if the porch is not separated from the house by an internal door and is heated, or if there are structural, accessibility or drainage implications (again, it is best to check with the building control department of the local authority).
There are several different types of porch and it depends to a considerable extent on the existing front entrance as to which is the most suitable. For example, a plain front (as is common with terraced houses) will typically only be suitable for a mounted canopy above the door; a recessed front door (as is common with Victorian and Edwardian houses) will require the recess being blocked in with brickwork and/or glass. Buildings with existing entrance canopies may be capable of being infilled with timber, brick and/or glass, although care should be taken to install a damp-proof course (DPC).
When choosing or designing a porch it is important to make sure that it suits the existing building. Typically this will involve using the same materials, although in some cases, contrast with the existing building can be appropriate. Often, the existing front door can be moved to the exterior face of the porch (if it is suitable), with a new interior door installed between the building and the porch to create a draft lobby.
Porches will often incorporate a large amount of glazing in order to maximise natural light, and so the window design should complement those of the rest of the building or, at least, the frontage.
In terms of budgeting the building of a porch, some of the important factors to consider include:
- Its size.
- The amount of work required to the existing building.
- Whether it will be fully enclosed or not.
- Whether it will be partially or fully glazed on all sides.
- The type of roof – flat or sloping.
- The type of cladding or external brickwork to be used.
NB The Scottish Building Standards, Part I. Technical Handbook – Domestic, Appendix A Defined Terms, suggests that a porch is: ‘…a building attached to and providing a covered entrance to a dwelling.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.
- Basements in buildings.
- Bench.
- Building an extension.
- Conservatory.
- Dwarf wall.
- External doors.
- Hiring an architect as a domestic client.
- How to build a garage.
- How to find a builder.
- Licence for Alterations for Apartment.
- Licence to alter.
- Loft conversion.
- Narthex.
- Planning permission.
- Renovation.
- Widow's walk.
- Wrought iron porch.
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.