There's nothing more cherished, or more Southern, than a front porch. As
children, it was the place where we played on rainy days. As we grew
older, we'd go there to sit and enjoy quiet moments with loved ones. It
was as much a state of mind as it was a part of the house. An
8-foot-deep porch allows room for activities.
Although they fell out of favor for a while, front porches are again a
key element in many new neighborhoods, bridging the gap between public
and private spaces. They offer a place of welcome and a site for
informal entertaining.
When asked what the classic Southern porch should look like, many people
envision a long wraparound one. Such porches encompass two or more sides
of the house, creating separate areas for outdoor living and dining.
The two-story porch is often seen on Charleston single houses. These
galleries run along one side of the house. Today, some homes have
two-story porches on the front. These offer plenty of outdoor living
spaces. The downstairs area serves as a foyer of sorts, while the
upstairs porch has private sitting or sleeping areas for hot summer
evenings. Regardless of the kind you prefer, there are a few important details you
should keep in mind. The one on our Mississippi Planter's Cottage (WB-0107-176) is inviting.
In walkable neighborhoods, the distance from the porch to curb is very
important. Ones that are closer to the sidewalk allow for more
interaction with the community. However, in rural settings, nothing
compares to a deep front porch that looks out over the countryside.
The depth of the porch is also very important to the house's look and
feel. The acceptable depth is 8 feet, but 10 feet or more is
recommended. A deep porch provides space for activities and social
interaction. It also allows room for furniture and plenty of space for a
dining table. Smaller porches aren't flexible; they simply become a
passageway in and out of the house.
Front porches bring people together. They provide a place to relax,
read, and visit. There's no doubt about it: The porch is back. Porches
may have left our houses for a time, but they never left our hearts.
Porch Pointers- Make the porch deep enough. Eight feet is acceptable, but 10 to 12 is
preferred.
- The porch needs to be wide enough to serve as a protected
entry and provide some covered seating.
- Slope the floor for positive drainage. A slope of 1/4 inch per foot
of depth will allow rainwater to drain off and help prevent rotting.
- Stain the floor for low maintenance. Solid-colored stains are the best.
Light colors don't scuff as badly. The traditional dark green may look
great when it is freshly painted, but dirt and footprints will eventually show.
- Keep lighting soft. If the porch ceiling is finished, use can lights or pendant
fixtures. If the rafters are exposed, use bullet fixtures aimed up.
Dimmers offer an inexpensive way to control light levels.
- Lanterns can add wonderful character.
- Set posts on aluminum plinths to prevent rotting.
