How to beautifully make a wooden porch. Structural features of arranging a wooden porch, its design and projects
Vacationing at a dacha or in a country house is always associated with a lot of time in the fresh air, and there are always a million reasons why you have to regularly visit the house. And at one point you notice that the porch and stairs to the house are very inconvenient, and while there is time, you need to make or radically redo all the elements of the porch. It's better to make something new.
In most cases, the decision to rebuild a porch in a house comes spontaneously. As practice shows, such a simple porch, like an extension to a house, can be done in a few hours, in one go.
A simple staircase design suits us
Before taking the first steps in construction, you need to clearly understand how to build step by step wooden porch with your own hands. Simply put, the design of the building should already be in your head, you just need to find suitable material and correctly assemble all the elements.
For the simplest porch that can be made from available material, the sequence of work will be as follows:
- The first step is to measure the width of the stairs and choose optimal height stage that is convenient for you and your family. Then it will be much more difficult to redo or make amendments;
- Select a suitable material, always dry; it is better if it is fresh dried lumber, timber or board from old stock, not used anywhere;
- Cut out two side load-bearing beams, called bowstrings or stringers, for more serious wooden buildings;
- On next stage you need to make a support and steps;
- We cut and attach the railings, process protective coatings, it is better to do this stage right away, until wooden knots did not pick up moisture from the air. The wooden porch is ready.
Advice ! Simplicity does not mean primitiveness. If you plan to use the porch for many years, then it is better to immediately make additional waterproofing from the ground.
Building a wooden porch is not as difficult as it seems
The most a good option A wooden porch has always been considered a double corner structure, in which, thanks to the angular arrangement of the steps, the exit from the house is a semicircle, as in the photo.
You can walk down such a staircase without even noticing the steps under your feet. This is convenient if a lot of people use the porch, including children. But for a dacha, you can make a simpler staircase, this is the key to the reliability of our construction.
Cutting out a wooden base for the stairs to the house
The wooden frame for the porch can be made from pine beams or boards, at least 50 mm thick and at least 200 mm wide. Before making a wooden frame, we select the correct size of future beams. For ordinary stairs 70-70 cm wide, two wooden blanks 100-130 cm long will be enough. The boards must not have defects, chips or cracks, or be damaged by insects or fungus.
To quickly and efficiently make a wooden porch, in addition to a supply of lumber, we will need some tools:
- Manual disc or chain saw with protractor;
- Drill or screwdriver, nail puller and hammer weighing 400 grams;
- Corner Grinder with attachments for sanding wooden surfaces;
- Carpenter's corner, tape measure, pressing wood screws.
The first step is to cut the edges of both wooden blanks at an angle to the longitudinal surface of at least 45 degrees. You can make the angle larger, and the future wooden staircase will have a gentler descent, and vice versa, the smaller the angle, the higher the steepness. The angles on both workpieces must be exactly the same, as in the photo.
Next we will need a massive wooden block, in the future we will make a support for the stairs from it, but for now we need it for precise definition sizes of future stringers. Supporting the workpieces with cut edges on wooden beams at home, and uncut onto the timber, we specify the angle of inclination of the stairs and the height of the stringers. We mark and trim the wooden blanks in the lower part so that they rest tightly and securely with their entire surface on the timber stand, as in the photo.
How to properly attach stair steps
To make the steps, we need to temporarily fix the frame of the future wooden porch with nails, so at the next stage of construction we nail both wooden stringer blanks to the beam of the house, level them, and also attach the ends to the timber stand.
Advice ! We hammer the nails so that the head does not reach the wooden surface by 5-7 mm, this will allow them to be easily pulled out in the future and replaced with self-tapping screws.
Before moving forward with the construction of the porch, we have the opportunity to once again clarify the most convenient size of steps, height and width. If necessary, you can make a new wooden stand and change the width of the flight of stairs, as in the photo.
The steps can be made from the same wooden blank or board from which the side stringers were cut. Usually, to increase the strength and rigidity of the porch, it is recommended to use risers - wooden supporting elements on which the floorboards of the steps rest. But at the same time, the step itself will have to be made too wide for comfortable placement of the foot.
In addition, such a structure is very well ventilated and cleaned of moisture and dirt, of which there is always plenty at the dacha; if risers are made in the structure, dirt and moisture will accumulate in the cracks.
In our construction, we do not use risers in the staircase, this will allow us to make wooden steps narrower and thicker. At the same time, comfort will not suffer at all.
For your information! To attach the steps, we will not cut grooves, as is usually recommended by all drawings and diagrams of a simple attached wooden porch.
This greatly reduces the strength of the stringers and forces them to be much thicker than necessary for reasons of rigidity. wooden building porch.
To attach the steps, you need to mark and cut short vertical supports from a board, 20-25 mm thick, as in the photo.
We nail them to the side stringers and secure them wooden blank steps, approximately as in the photo.
We move the staircase to the installation site on the porch and check how correctly its main elements were made. If there are no comments, remove the nails one by one and replace them with self-tapping screws.
How to build a porch railing for a house
When building the stairs, we did not sand the workpieces; there was practically no special need for this. For porch railings, it is extremely important to have smooth surface without the ability to push a drift or a thorn into your hand. Therefore, after choosing the appropriate size wooden block, you need, first of all, to carefully sand its surface, both the handrails and the vertical posts, photo.
Do vertical racks For a porch, it’s easier if you first cut out one template-sized piece, adjust the angle of inclination to install the handrails, and then use it to make all the other 7 pieces. This option will significantly speed up the process of making fences and porch railings.
We fasten the vertical posts directly with self-tapping screws. The workpiece should be screwed to the stringers with at least three fastening points every 60-70 mm.
We will install handrails on top of the racks, which can be made from the same block as the vertical supports themselves. It is clear that wooden surface, which you have to handle with your hands, it is better to polish it with a felt circle with paste. In this case, the handrails will acquire not only a smooth surface, but also a beautiful texture, as in the photo.
Oddly enough, one of the reasons why a wooden porch may lose its attractiveness is poor quality of surface treatment protective compounds. Even varnish or drying oil will not protect the wood from swelling. Therefore, for protection it is necessary to use a multilayer coating based on pentaphthalic enamels or alkyd varnish.
Final word
The proposed design of a porch for a house is simple and reliable, and even a schoolchild who has a little practice in safely handling power tools can do it with his own hands. If desired, the porch can be increased in size or supplemented with a concrete platform for the lower support of the stairs. Traditionally, the porch and entrance are located on the sunny, well-lit side of the house; this will ensure normal conditions for long-term use.
It's no secret that building a porch at the dacha is not the most simple task, given that it must fit into general form buildings and also be truly functional.
In most cases, an originally designed porch can become an unusual calling card for a home.
There are a huge number variety of options the final stage in building a house. Everything primarily depends on how you see a truly beautiful porch and what budget you have.
It is worth noting that if you are interested in how to make a porch with your own hands, then it is quite simple and all you need to do is read this article and perhaps take some advice from builders.
What is a porch?
In fact, a structural porch built in a private house is the simplest platform open type with a staircase that is built right in front of the entrance to the building. The porch can be of a wide variety of shapes, with or without an additional canopy.
If we talk about the structure itself, which can be chosen for the porch and which determines the design for the most part, then they can be divided into three main types: simple, attached or built-in.
The latter type of porch is almost always designed during the construction stage of a house.
Porch of the most popular simple type- This is a platform that has additional steps and a canopy over them.
During the construction of this type of porch, the most difficult thing is pouring necessary foundation, which will be needed in any case, even if it is lightweight design and you planned to make a wooden porch yourself.
The attached type porch looks very similar to beautiful porch built-in type, but at the same time it is very often in various ways rebuilt and modified.
The basis is the foundation
An important point that you should definitely pay attention to when laying the foundation is that its depth at construction work must necessarily coincide with the depth of the foundation itself for the entire building. Otherwise, after the soil settles, it is quite possible that the entire porch structure will deform.
If, after the soil settles, the structure shifts towards the house, then destruction will begin from the foundation of the porch. Cosmetic repairs in this case, it will not be possible to get by and you will have to build the porch from the very beginning.
Mandatory when building a foundation special attention It is worth paying attention to waterproofing the foundation being built.
Varieties of porches for a future home
First of all, before starting the construction of the porch, you must decide which material you like best. Most often it is either concrete, or expensive metal, or stone, classic brick, or affordable wood.
Having decided to make a porch to a house out of wood, many simply hope that it is the easiest and most affordable option, in fact, without even suspecting a large number of nuances.
It is the photo of a porch made of wood that can easily be found in various magazines more than others. This is due to the fact that wood is considered by many to be a traditional material.
All that is needed when building such a porch is minimal construction skills, a circular saw, as well as a construction square.
Note!
If possible, it is best to use either larch or some coniferous species as the material. They are distinguished by good strength indicators and are also quite easy to process independently.
After specially performed impregnation, the material will definitely not be inferior to, for example, material from any other hard rock.
You should definitely take care of a canopy over the porch. This will not only protect the steps of the stairs and their landings from various precipitation, but will also allow in an interesting way decorate a wooden porch short term without major financial investments.
Photos of a wide variety of canopies can also be found on the Internet and in magazines devoted to the construction of various country houses.
DIY porch photo
Note!
The fashion for non-standard architectural forms is returning. And every home owner wants to give his mansion unusualness and originality. This can be done by building a porch. This architectural element will add elegance to the entrance group of the house, enliven the overall appearance of the building, and also serve as protection from snow and rain.
But what type of extension should you choose so that it fits harmoniously into the exterior of the mansion? We will look at what size, shape, configuration, type and style a porch can be in this article. And photos from our gallery will clearly demonstrate the most worthy options for the porch of a country house.
The design and purpose of the porch
The veranda for the home has become such a common household item that few people think about its role. The main purpose of the extension is to make visiting the home more comfortable for a person.
Since the porch is the center of the building’s facade, it needs to be made as attractive as possible. It is often erected after the construction of the house, so care should be taken to ensure that it matches the style of the mansion. For this purpose, a project for the porch of a country house is being drawn up.
On a note: The more harmonious the overall picture is, the more worthy the veranda itself will look.
Photo of the front porch of a private house - classic design
Types of extensions
Modern types of porches for the house - elegant and convenient designs, built from modern building materials, which decorate the entrance to the home, making it original and functional. Extensions can be classified into several categories.
Size
The first thing to consider when drawing up a porch project for country and village houses, cottages, small dachas - their size. It is determined by the dimensions of the mansion, as well as building regulations (minimum width is 150 cm, length - 180 cm). For the little one suitable for home a small porch of a simple configuration, matching it in style and proportions.
Small extension with neat semicircular steps
A medium-sized concrete structure will fit a standard house. Its height is selected individually, based on the dimensions of the mansion.
Openwork metal forged porch
A luxurious mansion has a large porch. It can be low (with a staircase of only 1-3 steps) and located along the entire length of the wall of the house.
A large terrace for a wooden house is a great place to relax
Advice: Having calculated the optimal dimensions of the extension, they are included in the construction plan.If the building is located on uneven terrain, for a convenient approach to it, a porch of the house with a high base is built. Since the platform is located at a certain height, a staircase with a large number of steps should lead to it, equipped with railings for safe walking along it.
High entrance porch private house, photo
On a high porch, rounded columns will not be out of place. These will serve as supports to support the canopy over the outer door.
Advice: using design techniques, columns can be turned into decorative elements, decorating the front entrance of the house, giving it style and respectability.
High front porch made of concrete with columns
Form
If we evaluate this design from an aesthetic point of view, then it is almost impossible to find two identical porches. Today you can find verandas of various shapes:
- rectangular;
- square;
- trapezoidal;
- semicircular;
- round;
- asymmetrical.
Rectangular and square views porch of a private house, photo
The semicircular porch looks unusual and unique. With the help of this simple trick the mansion can be made more original. The photo below shows a semicircular porch to a brick house.
On a note: It is not at all necessary that the entire structure has the shape of a circle - a rounded canopy or steps with rounded edges is enough.
Add spice to the architecture of the cottage by adding a semicircular porch, photo
A non-standard solution would also be a corner design. A round porch located on the corner of a rectangular house looks very impressive.
Lateral round design focuses attention on the exterior of the building
A corner street extension can be not only round, but also trapezoidal or triangular in shape. The complex geometry of the structure should not be dissonant with the main structure, but create a single concept with it.
An example of an original corner porch of a private house, photo
Placement in relation to the house
Porches can be located differently in relation to the mansion. This way you can build an attached structure - a horizontal platform with steps located in front of the entrance to the house.
Attached design for a summer house with a semicircular canopy
The built-in porch looks elegant, having common roof with the house. Such a combined extension should create a single architectural ensemble with the mansion and the adjacent plot.
A cozy inner veranda can be used as a place to relax
Materials
When developing a porch design, you can choose any materials that match the style of the house, from traditional ones (wood and natural stone) to more modern ones (concrete, metal, brick).
Type
In construction, there are several structural types of porches. An open structure is an extension with a small platform, not equipped with a canopy or railings. This design is used in places that are used mainly in the summer (for example, in the country).
Advice: Open-type structures should not be built in areas where precipitation occurs frequently.
Open porch with semicircular granite steps
A structure equipped with a roof or canopy is a covered structure. It has no walls, only railings that protect the extension from the street.
Outdoor covered structure
A structure with walls or glass panels and a canopy is called enclosed. The room is a full-fledged veranda, can have lighting and heating and be used as a gazebo.
Original glass closed porch brick house, photo
A type of closed extension is a porch with a vestibule. This is a small-area design that provides a comfortable microclimate in the home.
On a note: vestibule - a transition zone on the border with the street, protecting housing from the cold.
Photo of a closed porch to a house like a vestibule
A popular type of extension is a porch-veranda. It is a place for leisure and recreation, and can be closed or open.
Enclosed polycarbonate porch - modern design
A harmonious addition to a cottage made of natural wood will wooden veranda. And if the extension is closed, it will only improve the thermal insulation of the mansion.
Small closed porch of a wooden house, photo
If the mansion has more than one floor, then you can connect the porch to the balcony. In this case, the connecting element can be columns. In the same way, you can combine the platform with a bay window - the protruding part of the second floor.
Porch with bay window under the balcony
A spacious porch-terrace can be used as a place to relax. The large area can accommodate a table, chairs and even sun loungers.
An open terrace with a porch is located under a common roof with the house
An option for a non-traditional design design is a mini gazebo on the terrace. With the help of plants and comfortable furniture the building can be made more comfortable.
Round porch-gazebo
Extensions may differ not only in purpose and design, but also in the design of the staircase. A staircase with one flight is considered standard, but there are other varieties.
Staircase with flight on two sides
Exit to the site can even be organized from three sides, and the staircase itself can be semicircular or complex geometric in shape.
Note: the canopy and railings not only perform practical functions, but also serve as decoration and design elements entrance group mansion.
Beautiful staircase built in a semicircle
Stylistics
In order for the extension to harmonize with the house, it is better to think through its design in advance. Thus, a stone structure can be designed in the style of a medieval fortress. For its design, facing stone and forging can be used.
Play with contrasts - decorate the stone structure with fresh flowers
Adherents of strict lines and symmetry will like the classic design of the extension in the European style. Its components are glass door, openwork lattice, many colors.
An extension created in the best European traditions
How to make a veranda for a wooden Finnish house? Project of a porch of a wooden house in Scandinavian style provides a symmetrical facade with a porch of simple design (with a canopy and stairs). And when designing and finishing it, they try to preserve the texture of natural wood.
Neat extension in Finnish style
The porch of a wooden village house can be decorated in the Russian style. For this, logs and carved parts are used.
Russian style - types of porch of a wooden house, photo
How to build a porch and what design to choose
The main parameter by which the type and configuration of the extension is chosen is its combination with the mansion. Everything needs to be planned out at the design stage. To prevent the structure from sagging, it must be built on a strong and solid foundation(according to all SNIP standards). A canopy is erected for protection from bad weather. Thus, the porch of a mansion is not only an important architectural element, but also a relaxation and comfort area.
Bottom line
Porch like business card home, can be of any configuration and size. The most important thing is that the structure protects the mansion from cold and bad weather, and also creates an overall harmonious architectural ensemble with it.
Entrance doors do not allow snow and wind into our houses, but they themselves withstand the entire load. They are often located significantly above ground level, so to enter the house you need a porch. It will help you get inside without any difficulties, leaving street dust and dirt behind the threshold.
What's interesting about the porch? It can be arranged in very different ways, according to the taste of the owner. This article will cover various options arrangement and decoration of the porch.
The entrance group in most cases is the central decorative element in the exterior of a cottage or private house. If the overall composition of the site is thought out and decorated with taste and love, and the porch looks like it came from another house or was made hastily, the whole impression will be spoiled and the ensemble will be incomplete.
Peculiarities
First, let's figure out what a porch actually is. General definition says that this is an extension to the house, which serves as an entrance and exit from it. It has a staircase (or at least several steps), as well as a canopy (this condition is optional). In most cases, this design has a decorative appearance.
This structure is located outside the building, so it is not subject to building rules and regulations for covered buildings.
The entrance group is presented with a number of rules that must be followed in terms of layout:
- It is necessary to equip the site. Its depth will depend on the width and type of entrance doors, as well as on the method of opening them. The size of the site should not be less than 1 m2.
- Depending on how many doors open onto the site, its length is planned.
- An important factor is the ability to freely carry a stretcher with a person lying on it across the site.
- A canopy for protection from rain and snow is a requirement of inspection authorities. It must be installed at a height of at least 20 cm from the top of the front door.
- If a wheelchair user lives in the house, it is necessary to equip the porch with a ramp with an anti-slip coating.
There are also fire safety rules that must be followed when arranging the porch:
- According to the requirements, the front door must always open outwards. Accordingly, the area of the upper step is planned taking this into account.
- Porch elements are made of non-flammable or low-flammable materials.
- If wood is used in the design or decoration of the porch, it must be impregnated with a fire retardant.
From a safety point of view, the site needs to meet a number of requirements:
- The covering of the steps and platform should not slip;
- places where people walk should not be subject to accumulation of water;
- if the porch consists of more than 3 steps and has a height of more than 45 cm, it must have a protective fence (railings, sides and other elements);
- each step must have a width of at least 30 cm and a height of at least 15 cm;
- the porch must have lighting (spotlight from above), additional lighting is possible LED lights tape around the perimeter or rim of the degrees;
- in cold regions, you can equip an unheated or heated vestibule.
Technical requirements
Building codes and regulations (SNiP), as well as GOST, regulate the basic parameters for arranging a porch.
Depending on the height of the base of the house, the number of steps in the entrance group is designed.
For example, the depth range for each step is 27-30 cm, and the height is 12-18 cm. Thus, the tread and riser should be 45 cm in size. This will ensure optimal comfort for climbing the steps.
In order for one person to comfortably climb the stairs, its width should not be less than 60 cm. If it is expected that two people will walk on the steps, they should not be narrower than 120-145 cm. More than three steps on the stairs require a guardrail or railing. Their height should vary from 9 to 20 cm. If the railings decorate the porch of a private cottage, their height can be whatever the owner desires.
The ladder must meet the requirements for safe movement in relation to the horizontal angle. The safest from the point of view of operation is a staircase with a wide and flat configuration.
The upper platform is located 5 cm below the threshold. This is a requirement of fire safety standards and regulations. Its depth should be equal to 1.5 times the width of the doorway.
Kinds
The porch belongs to the group of lightweight outdoor buildings, so it does not require a reinforced foundation. Often the base for it is separate, for example, in the front door or entrance.
Most often, the foundation for the porch:
- pile;
- columnar;
- shallow tape.
If the porch for a private house is planned as a full-fledged structure with a staircase, columns, and the material for it is brick, concrete, stone, then it will require a solid foundation. It is built together with the foundation of the house, and connected to it. For example, if you decide to build a porch with brick columns on a concrete platform, the fragile foundation simply will not support this structure: it will sag, warp or collapse.
Depending on the type of design, the porch can be:
- open;
- with a canopy or canopy;
- covered.
The first type is mainly found in private cottages. These homes often have a patio or terrace right behind the porch. The porch consists of open platform and steps that there may be different quantities. If there are more than three, the porch should be equipped with railings.
There are no canopies or canopies; most often this role is played by an attic or balcony located directly above the entrance. Or, if the house is one-story, the canopy function can be partially taken over by the protruding roof.
If the porch is equipped with a canopy or canopy, it is located above the front door and covers it, as well as part of the area near the house. The canopy can be extended to create a parking area for vehicles or a recreation area in front of the house. The latter can be equipped with a barbecue or grill.
Most often, this type of porch is used when the house has ground floor, and the front door is located high. An interesting, unusual canopy can decorate the facade and also perform practical functions.
In the latter option, the entrance area is completely covered with a roof, as is the area near the door. The walls of the house enclose the porch, thus creating a kind of vestibule. The entrance to the house is protected from precipitation and winds.
Today, the achievements of the construction industry make it possible not to limit ourselves only to rectangular shape porch. Now you can give it the most different configurations: semicircle, polyhedron, even triangle.
For example, by giving the porch a semicircular shape, you can hide and smooth out the excessively sharp corners of the house. Its convenience is that you can climb the steps from any side, since they completely go around the entire porch, providing a comfortable approach to the door. It is better to make them brick or stone (from clinker tiles).
If there is a need to balance the house, you can lay out trapezoidal steps. They are interesting because they expand as they rise. Thus, the upper platform turns out to be solid and quite large.
Types of porches can be classified according to the size of the upper platform:
- terrace - an open spacious area equipped with railings;
- patio - a platform that does not have railings or other fences, but is covered with a canopy;
- veranda - essentially a glazed terrace;
- vestibule - small hallway, separating the entrance group from the living space.
Due to some reasons, the porch area is located at a considerable height.
This is due in the following cases:
- If the project provides for the presence of a technical floor in the house.
- If climatic conditions at the construction site create the need to raise the porch. For example, in areas where spring flooding of reservoirs or heavy winter snowfalls is possible, this is a mandatory condition.
- Complex terrain. For example, if the house is placed on stilts, the porch will simply have to be located at a considerable height. Then even the most uneven terrain will not become an obstacle. And there will be no need to carry out expensive and labor-intensive excavation work.
Stairs can be located perpendicular to one side of the platform or both, or encircle it, making it possible to approach the door from any direction.
If there is not enough space in front of the house, the staircase can be placed along the facade or a reversible structure can be arranged. The multi-level terrace also looks original.
The cantilever-support structure is most often used for metal stairs. But it is necessary to provide for its construction at the stage of laying the foundation for the house.
If the width of the platform is insufficient, you can place two small stairs on opposite sides of her. This is the most convenient option in case there is very little free space in front of the house.
The most convenient of the stairs is the one whose steps go in a circle around the landing. For example, if the porch is small, but the lift should be comfortable.
How more original solution to decorate the porch, the more interesting the facade will look. Thanks to the taste and ideas of the owner, you can create a living and original architectural composition.
Materials
On modern market presented quite a large number of different materials for arranging a porch in front of the front door.
The most common and frequently used are:
- brick;
- concrete;
- wood;
- metal alloys;
- natural stone (granite);
- polycarbonate
The tree can be used in the form of logs, beams or decking boards. Most often, wood is used to equip the entrance groups of country houses built in the old Russian style. For a hut built in the traditions of wooden architecture, a log porch will be authentic.
Wood is also convenient because it is easy to process; it can be given any shape, even the most complex and imaginative. Master carvers with extensive experience are able to create unusually beautiful openwork compositions on windows, roof ridges and entrance groups of houses. The porch railings and the fence around the house look very impressive if they have a similar or identical carved pattern.
The more original and subtle the wood carver’s work, the more spectacular the result will be.
We should not forget about the need for mandatory processing wooden elements fire retardant against fire and antiseptic against rotting. Then the structure will serve for a long time without losing its attractive appearance.
It is better to use wood species that are difficult to rot.
These are usually conifers, for example:
- pine - the most budget and affordable option, has a light white tint;
- larch is a very durable and reliable species, but not easy to process; it has an interesting yellow-orange undertone;
- spruce – for outdoor buildings should be used with caution, as it is very susceptible to the destructive effects of moisture;
- cedar is a valuable and expensive material that is used to accentuate details and has a pinkish tint;
- fir is the most fragile and light, almost white conifer. It is not recommended for use in structures requiring strength.
- birch is a very durable species, but requires special protective treatment, otherwise the wood will crack;
- beech is an expensive wood; individual structural parts are made from it;
- aspen - it is used mostly for the construction of baths due to its high resistance to moisture;
- oak – perfect material for construction “for centuries”, as it is very durable, valuable and expensive.
There are no restrictions on the use of wood in construction. You can build a porch entirely from this material, you can sheathe it with birch or cedar boards or clapboard.
It should be noted that the presence of smooth turned figured balusters on the railings and polished steps is a traditional element in Russian architecture, which remains relevant today.
Metal is not as popular a material as wood, concrete or brick, but it can look no less impressive. Especially if used forged elements V vintage style. More often metal parts act in combination with stone, concrete or wood.
This is not due to the fact that the characteristics of the metal are worse than other materials. It’s just that its cost is quite high, as is the price of welding work when installing the porch. But the forged railings or frame on the canopy, supported by a similar frame for street lamp or a flashlight - more budget options.
If the price is not a problem for the owner, you can order any forged elements from the appropriate craftsmen. An openwork frame on the canopy, supported by the same design of caps on the fence, or the same frame of lanterns above the door and along the perimeter of the fence look very impressive.
But the metal is extremely susceptible to corrosion; rain and snowfall can quickly render it unusable.
Very often, forged elements are coated with transparent polycarbonate. This way they are less susceptible to negative factors. environment, while the beauty and originality of the details are more noticeable.
Any professional forging does appearance The designs are a true work of art.
Natural stone is a very special material. It can act either alone or in combination with any other type of decoration. A granite or marble entrance group has the maximum advantages for a capital structure: strong, durable, beautiful, reliable, resistant to environmental influences. But it has two significant disadvantages: it is bulky and expensive.
Thanks to the achievements modern technologies produced false stone is practically indistinguishable from natural in appearance. You can detect a fake only by touching it.
Instead of natural stone You can use tiles: clinker, paving. They are, firstly, cheaper than solid stone, and secondly, they are much more convenient to work with, since they are lighter and each element has its own specific size.
An entrance group made of stone will perfectly decorate a house made of brick, as well as one finished with plaster or panels imitating stone or brick. You need to understand that a stone porch looks truly monumental, so it is not recommended to decorate a small house with it.
Brick, like wood, is an affordable and often used material in porch design. They can be used to finish finished composition, and create a complete structure from it. It weighs little, is inexpensive, and is strong and durable. In addition, it is easy to use and operate.
For outdoor work, a type of brick such as clinker is often used. It has enhanced strength. It is not afraid of all typical environmental factors: rain, snow, temperature changes, direct rays of the sun. It does not lose its attractive appearance for a long time.
There are a large number of color solutions clinker bricks. This allows you to create real masterpieces in the decor of porches: ornaments, gradients, contrasting patterns or monochrome.
Polycarbonate is the only material that cannot be used for the base of the porch. It can only be used as a coating. The frame will be metal, wood or brick. Polycarbonate needs to be used wisely, then you can create an interesting architectural solution from it.
Where can polycarbonate be used:
- as a coating on forged elements;
- for the construction of a canopy over the entrance group;
- you can create a canopy over the porch.
Due to the fact that polycarbonate bends well, it can be used to create structures of various shapes.
In most cases, concrete is the base; it is covered with various cladding on top. This happens because concrete itself has an unpresentable appearance and an entrance built only from it will not decorate the house.
However, concrete can be poured into any formwork form to create a large number of different configurations for steps and porches.
Available polished or painted concrete structures, looking quite interesting.
Since uncured concrete is plastic, casting of elements of any degree of complexity is possible. But the main disadvantage is the extreme heaviness of the material and the complexity of installation.
Dimensions
It is best to plan what the porch will be like at the design stage of the house project. Then you should decide on its size. In addition to the desire of the owner, there are also safety requirements. So, the upper platform should be such that a person can open the door (outward, in accordance with fire safety standards), and he didn't have to step down a step.
The width, depth and height of the steps are regulated by SNiPs, and none of the parameters should be less than the regulated ones. The same goes for slope angles. As for the configuration and decor, here the owner is free to act in accordance with his imagination.
Design
Regardless of whether the top of the porch is high or low, it can be designed and decorated in accordance with the wishes of the owner. Of course, you need to understand that the railing on a high porch is not only and not so much a decorative element, but an important functional detail: both in winter during snowfalls and ice, and in autumn during heavy rains. On a low porch or a couple of steps, railings and fences are not an urgent need, but a whim of the owner. However, such a fence (posts connected by a chain, for example) can become a decoration for the entrance, especially in spring and summer.
Depending on the chosen design style of the entrance group, you can complement its design with a bench, a hedge, a shaped lawn, symmetrically laid out flower beds, one or two lanterns - there are a great many options, and each is interesting.
Do not overload the decor with heterogeneous details. For example, if forging elements are used in the design of a porch (canopy, canopy), it is advisable to support it by using similar elements in the design of a lantern, bench, and fence caps. Mixing elements of different styles can create cacophony and bad taste in the decor.
In addition, you need to take into account the compatibility of the materials from which the entrance group is created. The quality must be at its best, because attempts to save money and buy building materials of dubious origin can lead to the rapid destruction of the structure. Therefore, it is better to buy all the components of the input group from well-known and well-established manufacturers in the market. Clinker tiles will look great with both concrete columns and forged metal railings. The brick porch is in harmony with a fence made of a similar material.
It must be remembered that any combination should be treated with caution. It is better to draw a sketch - by hand or in computer program, or use one of huge amount finished photos. Because the porch is a significant element of home design that is the first to catch your eye.
The adjacent landscape (as well as the overall composition of the site) is also important to take into account when developing a design project for the entrance group. For country house in a classic style, stylization under english garden– bouquets in pots, mini-flower beds.
In most cases, facing steps on concrete stairs occurs through ceramic tiles or stone, and the latter can be both natural and artificial. The treads can be finished with tiles that have an imperfect rough texture.
In front of the door wooden house you can make a small flood staircase. Then you can cover it not with tiles, but with sanded or terrace boards.
A wooden porch can be decorated in different ways. Since this material has a very beautiful structure, it does not need to be hidden, but rather, on the contrary, emphasized.
If necessary, you can coat it with varnish, special oil or paint.
Style
Any entrance to the house is a wide field for experiments in decoration, be it three steps or a full-fledged wide staircase. How to decorate a porch in different styles – we’ll look at it in this section.
A country style entrance will look best in a wooden version, and the material should look as if it had never been machined. It is important to leave the natural curves of the tree trunks on the fence or railing, and, of course, there should be no jagged or rough spots on them that could leave splinters and injure someone who will move along the stairs.
Porch decorated with columns in greek style, can look very interesting, especially in warm climates. It is best to plant antique portals with flowers and evergreen shrubs (cypress, thuja, laurel). Stone clinker tiles on a low porch with a spacious area will be an ideal addition to the composition, as will a gable canopy supported by columns.
The colonial style of the entrance lobby with deliberately roughly processed stone will beautifully complement a house made of a similar material. This porch looks especially original near a house with a multi-pitched roof or a round roof. The house becomes like a fortress or a castle, and the entrance group organically complements the composition. This style is neither luxurious nor pretentious, but it looks truly impressive and solid.
The entrance group for which you have selected Mediterranean style, will look best near the house in warm climates. The descent down the wide white marble steps directly to the sea or pool is truly chic. Columns and amphora pots with southern flowers and plants planted in them will add sophistication to the composition.
Russian style is, first of all, beautifully crafted wood. Neither brick, nor stone, nor especially plastic are inappropriate in it. Only wood, if possible, carved. There are several ways to design buildings in the Russian style - these are log cabin, and the prince's tower. Railings with balusters, a carved fence, a canopy with an openwork pattern - these are all integral components of this style.
Scandinavian style is the complete opposite of pretentious Russian. There are no unnecessary details, while all the requirements of convenience and comfort are met. The apparent simplicity of this style hides the thoughtful organization of all the little things. As a rule, white stone or tiles are used, the fence posts are also stone or concrete.
The Provence style is perfectly supported by a wooden staircase with carvings. It is recommended to paint it white, it is good if the paint cracks a little.
Forged elements will look great in the chalet style: a lantern, fence caps, railings and posts.
Foundation
When decorating the entrance group, it is logical to use the same material from which the house is built. That is, to a log or timber house A wooden porch is suitable, a brick one is suitable for a brick one.
When constructing steps and a platform, it is necessary to waterproof the elements of the extension, because otherwise they will suffer from the influence of climatic conditions. In addition, it is necessary to drain the soil; for this, special trenches are dug for drainage and the water is pumped out.
Before finishing the construction of the porch, you need to make sure that the door can be opened even after heavy snowfall. And for this, the platform should be lower than the front door, about 5 cm. If there is no canopy over the entrance area, you can build a platform with a slight slope - up to 5 degrees - to ensure the outflow of water. If there is a canopy or canopy, it is not necessary to arrange a slope.
How bigger house, the more impressive the porch and, accordingly, the foundation for it will be required. It is best to lay it at the stage of building a house at the same time as the general foundation of the house, especially if it is planned to build a veranda or patio on the upper platform.
If you do not make a foundation for the porch, it may sag soon after construction.
There are several options for the foundation for the porch:
- tape;
- pile;
- columnar;
- from slabs.
The most common type of base is tape. He is chosen as experienced builders, and are new to this issue. It is easy to build, since the technology of the device is simple, and few building materials are required.
The pile type is more difficult to arrange; you will need reinforced concrete piles. Their ends are sharpened to make it more convenient to install them to the desired depth.
Laying a columnar foundation is quick and easy, since the pillars are located close to each other at the corners of the porch and in places where walls intersect.
The most complex and expensive option is a foundation built from slabs. Firstly, this requires a large number of activities: from preparing the pit to laying a reinforced slab on a prepared “bed” of sand and gravel.
It is important to remember that the wider and larger the porch is planned, the stronger the foundation for it should be.
The process of laying the foundation must occur simultaneously with the construction of the house. If the foundations are laid at different times, then they will settle with at different speeds. Structures can “lead” in different directions, which will lead to the formation of cracks. To avoid this, you need to use high-quality cement.
In order for the structure to last longer, you need to take care of the thermal insulation of both the porch itself and the base underneath it. This is especially true for large, substantial entrance groups. It is equally important to correctly calculate the depth for laying it.
In most cases, a foundation under the entrance group is needed. It is unlikely that there is a person who built a house, invested a large amount of time, effort and, to hide it, money into it, who wants to watch how his creation is destroyed only because he was too lazy to put it on a high-quality and reliable foundation.
The fashion for non-standard architectural forms is returning. And every home owner wants to give his mansion unusualness and originality. This can be done by building a porch. This architectural element will add elegance to the entrance group of the house, enliven the overall appearance of the building, and also serve as protection from snow and rain.
But what type of extension should you choose so that it fits harmoniously into the exterior of the mansion? We will look at what size, shape, configuration, type and style a porch can be in this article. And photos from our gallery will clearly demonstrate the most worthy options for the porch of a country house.
The design and purpose of the porch
The veranda for the home has become such a common household item that few people think about its role. The main purpose of the extension is to make visiting the home more comfortable for a person.
Since the porch is the center of the building’s facade, it needs to be made as attractive as possible. It is often erected after the construction of the house, so care should be taken to ensure that it matches the style of the mansion. For this purpose, a project for the porch of a country house is being drawn up.
On a note: The more harmonious the overall picture is, the more worthy the veranda itself will look.
Photo of the front porch of a private house - classic design
Types of extensions
Modern types of porches for the home are elegant and comfortable structures, built from modern building materials, which decorate the entrance to the home, making it original and functional. Extensions can be classified into several categories.
Size
The first thing to consider when drawing up a project for porches for country and village houses, cottages, and small dachas is their size. It is determined by the dimensions of the mansion, as well as building regulations (minimum width is 150 cm, length - 180 cm). For a small house, a small porch of a simple configuration that matches it in style and proportions is suitable.
Small extension with neat semicircular steps
A medium-sized concrete structure will fit a standard house. Its height is selected individually, based on the dimensions of the mansion.
Openwork metal forged porch
A luxurious mansion has a large porch. It can be low (with a staircase of only 1-3 steps) and located along the entire length of the wall of the house.
A large terrace for a wooden house is a great place to relax
Advice: Having calculated the optimal dimensions of the extension, they are included in the construction plan.If the building is located on uneven terrain, for a convenient approach to it, a porch of the house with a high base is built. Since the platform is located at a certain height, a staircase with a large number of steps should lead to it, equipped with railings for safe walking along it.
High entrance porch of a private house, photo
On a high porch, rounded columns will not be out of place. These will serve as supports to support the canopy over the outer door.
Advice: With the help of design techniques, columns can be turned into decorative elements that decorate the front entrance of the house, giving it style and respectability.
High front porch made of concrete with columns
Form
If we evaluate this design from an aesthetic point of view, then it is almost impossible to find two identical porches. Today you can find verandas of various shapes:
- rectangular;
- square;
- trapezoidal;
- semicircular;
- round;
- asymmetrical.
Rectangular and square views of the porch of a private house, photo
The semicircular porch looks unusual and unique. With this simple technique, a mansion can be made more original. The photo below shows a semicircular porch to a brick house.
On a note: It is not at all necessary that the entire structure has the shape of a circle - a rounded canopy or steps with rounded edges is enough.
Add spice to the architecture of the cottage by adding a semicircular porch, photo
A non-standard solution would also be a corner design. A round porch located on the corner of a rectangular house looks very impressive.
The side circular design accentuates the building's exterior
A corner street extension can be not only round, but also trapezoidal or triangular in shape. The complex geometry of the structure should not be dissonant with the main structure, but create a single concept with it.
An example of an original corner porch of a private house, photo
Placement in relation to the house
Porches can be located differently in relation to the mansion. This way you can build an attached structure - a horizontal platform with steps located in front of the entrance to the house.
Attached design for a summer house with a semicircular canopy
The built-in porch, which has a common roof with the house, looks elegant. Such a combined extension should create a single architectural ensemble with the mansion and the adjacent plot.
A cozy inner veranda can be used as a place to relax
Materials
When developing a porch design, you can choose any materials that match the style of the house, from traditional (wood and natural stone) to more modern (concrete, metal, brick).
Type
In construction, there are several structural types of porches. An open structure is an extension with a small platform, not equipped with a canopy or railings. This design is used in places that are used mainly in the summer (for example, in the country).
Advice: Open-type structures should not be built in areas where precipitation occurs frequently.
Open porch with semicircular granite steps
A structure equipped with a roof or canopy is a covered structure. It has no walls, only railings that protect the extension from the street.
Outdoor covered structure
A structure with walls or glass panels and a canopy is called enclosed. The room is a full-fledged veranda, can have lighting and heating and be used as a gazebo.
Original glass enclosed porch of a brick house, photo
A type of closed extension is a porch with a vestibule. This is a small-area design that provides a comfortable microclimate in the home.
On a note: vestibule - a transition zone on the border with the street, protecting housing from the cold.
Photo of a closed porch to a house like a vestibule
A popular type of extension is a porch-veranda. It is a place for leisure and recreation, and can be closed or open.
Enclosed polycarbonate porch - modern design
A wooden veranda will be a harmonious addition to a cottage made of natural wood. And if the extension is closed, it will only improve the thermal insulation of the mansion.
Small closed porch of a wooden house, photo
If the mansion has more than one floor, then you can connect the porch to the balcony. In this case, the connecting element can be columns. In the same way, you can combine the platform with a bay window - the protruding part of the second floor.
Porch with bay window under the balcony
A spacious porch-terrace can be used as a place to relax. The large area can accommodate a table, chairs and even sun loungers.
An open terrace with a porch is located under a common roof with the house
An option for a non-traditional design design is a mini gazebo on the terrace. With the help of plants and comfortable furniture, the structure can be made more comfortable.
Round porch-gazebo
Extensions may differ not only in purpose and design, but also in the design of the staircase. A staircase with one flight is considered standard, but there are other varieties.
Staircase with flight on two sides
Exit to the site can even be organized from three sides, and the staircase itself can be semicircular or complex geometric in shape.
Note: the canopy and railings not only perform practical functions, but also serve as elements of decoration and design of the entrance group of the mansion.
Beautiful staircase built in a semicircle
Stylistics
In order for the extension to harmonize with the house, it is better to think through its design in advance. Thus, a stone structure can be designed in the style of a medieval fortress. For its design, facing stone and forging can be used.
Play with contrasts - decorate the stone structure with fresh flowers
Adherents of strict lines and symmetry will like the classic design of the extension in the European style. Its components are a glass door, openwork grilles, and many flowers.
An extension created in the best European traditions
How to make a veranda for a wooden Finnish house? The design of the porch of a wooden house in the Scandinavian style provides for a symmetrical facade with a porch of a simple design (with a canopy and stairs). And when designing and finishing it, they try to preserve the texture of natural wood.
Neat extension in Finnish style
The porch of a wooden village house can be decorated in the Russian style. For this, logs and carved parts are used.
Russian style - types of porch of a wooden house, photo
How to build a porch and what design to choose
The main parameter by which the type and configuration of the extension is chosen is its combination with the mansion. Everything needs to be planned out at the design stage. To prevent the structure from sagging, it must be built on a strong and reliable foundation (according to all SNIP standards). A canopy is erected for protection from bad weather. Thus, the porch of a mansion is not only an important architectural element, but also a relaxation and comfort area.
Bottom line
The porch, like a business card of the house, can be of any configuration and size. The most important thing is that the structure protects the mansion from cold and bad weather, and also creates an overall harmonious architectural ensemble with it.