A front porch is a great way to introduce your home and welcome guests. It’s also a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and a place where you can get away from it all. In addition, a front porch can be used as an extension of your living space, making it an ideal spot for reading or eating meals.
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide what kind of porch you want: gabled or flat roof? Full or partial wrap-around? You might also consider adding arches or columns for architectural interest. Remember that if you choose a gabled roof with overhang, there should be enough room between the edge of the roof and any exterior walls for rainwater runoff—an overhang that is too narrow will collect rainwater and cause leaks inside your home.
Porches are great for adding curb appeal to your home, but did you know that they can also add value? That’s because some buyers see an attractive front porch as an investment in their home. If you’re planning on putting a new porch on your house, this article will help you understand the cost of building one in your area. Once you’ve decided on a style for your new front porch, determine how much space it will take up by measuring the width and length of each section. If possible, try to leave at least two feet between each section so that they aren’t touching when finished; this will allow air circulation through them so they don’t get too hot in summer months (which can cause mold growth).
From hallway-like corridors to squarish rooms, porches vary tremendously in size, shape, and cost: The national average is $4,600 to $22,000, according to HomeAdvisor data, but fancier porches can exceed $50,000.
The cost of your front porch will vary greatly depending on the materials used, size, and how elaborate you want it to be.
The cost of your front porch will vary greatly depending on the materials used, size, and how elaborate you want it to be. You could build a simple wood deck for $1000 or a large stone patio for over $20,000. The material you use will determine the overall appearance of the finished product as well as its durability. For example, pressure-treated lumber is less expensive than cedar but it won’t last nearly as long. Obviously, if you have unlimited funds then construction-grade cinder blocks would make an excellent choice but they can get pricey too. The size of your porch should also play a role in determining how much it costs to build because larger porches with multiple levels require more materials than smaller ones with just one level. Finally, there are many different types of porches that fall into three main categories:
the basic deck style (without railings);
the screened-in porch; and
the covered veranda type
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Covered Porch?
The costs to add a covered porch to your house will depend on the size, materials, and design. On the low end, you may be able to add a simple front porch with a roof for around $5,000. If you want to build a large wrap-around porch with plenty of architectural elements, then it will cost you between $40,000 and $50,000.
Porches add style, utility, and value to homes. Whether you add a front porch, back porch, or sunporch, this extra outdoor living space enhances your property. Porches come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. They can be large wraparound front porches in a farmhouse style, or they can be small entryway porches that shelter visitors from the rain. They can be made of many materials and placed anywhere. For this reason, the cost to build a porch has an enormous range of associated costs.
The national average range is between $15,000 and $35,000. Most people spend around $20,000 for a 16 x 20-foot front porch with asphalt roofing, wood decking, and laminated wood pillars. This project’s low cost is around $5,000 for a simple portico with sheet metal roofing and a single concrete step. The high cost is $50,000 for a 20 x 25-foot wraparound porch with exotic wood decking, metal tile roof, decorative elements, and wide front steps.
What Is A Good Size Porch?
A decent-sized front porch will be around 200 square feet. This gives you a 10 by 20 space to go out and sit on. You can build a porch smaller than this, but it will feel cramped if you ever want to spend time outside on it. An average sitting porch is about 12-foot by 12-foot, so 144 square feet.
Different Types Of Porches
If you’re in the market for a new porch, there are many options to consider. The most common types of porches are covered and open, but you can also opt for a screened porch or sunroom. Other options include a lanai (a Florida-style screened-in deck) or a sunporch.
Cost to Build a Porch by Type
There are many different types of porches, and the cost to build a porch can vary greatly depending on the materials used, size and how elaborate you want it to be.
- A covered porch will typically have a roof overhang about 25 feet long with walls made from cedar, pine, or even vinyl siding. These materials can range from $150-$400 per square foot. This type of porch may also require a concrete foundation depending on where you live (i.e., if there is snowfall).
- A screened-in porch will generally be smaller than an enclosed one because it doesn’t need walls or railings. The screens themselves add around $100-$200 per linear foot but require less maintenance than other materials—which is good news if you’re on a tight budget. Porch accessories like ceiling fans and light fixtures may also add up quickly depending on what type they are (especially if they’re very fancy) so make sure you get quotes before purchasing anything new.
Covered Porch
If you want to make your porch more comfortable, consider adding a roof. A covered porch is also called a patio or an arbor and can be used for entertaining guests or simply enjoying some time in the shade. To build one, you will need to gather materials and obtain permits from local authorities if necessary. Following is information on how long it takes to build a covered porch and how much it costs:
- Materials
You will need lumber, shingles, and nails or screws for construction; however, other supplies such as paint and wood stain may also be needed depending on where you live. The average cost of building materials runs between $3-$4 per square foot for small projects up to about $15-$20 per square foot for larger projects (such as adding screens). Total cost depends on size of project as well as quality of materials used so there’s no way I can give an exact number here – just know that this figure will vary depending on what exactly needs doing.
Concrete Foundation
Concrete foundations are the most common type of foundation and they are also the most economical. The main reason that concrete foundations are so cost-effective is because you can use them for any type of home design. For example, if you want to build a Victorian-style house with columns and turrets, then concrete is the best material for your foundation because it can be crafted into any shape or form. Concrete is also durable enough to withstand harsh weather conditions like hurricanes or tornadoes that may destroy other types of foundations like wood or steel.
Walls, Railings or Screens
The cost of building a front porch is largely dependent on the materials you choose. Front porches are often intended for functionality, so it’s important to consider how the design of your porch will affect its overall appearance.
While building code requirements vary by area and jurisdiction, there are some general guidelines that can help you estimate your project’s cost. A front porch should be at least 36 inches wide, unless it’s attached to an existing wall or other structure. The flooring should be made from pressure-treated wood; if it isn’t treated, then it may need to be replaced after 10 years or sooner depending on where you live and what type of weather exposure occurs during those years (such as extreme heat or cold). It’s also important that railings or screens are installed back far enough so they don’t interfere with doors opening and closing smoothly; these structures should also be able to bear 100 pounds per square foot when fully loaded so they’re strong enough not only now but also over time when they get older too.
Accessories
While we’re talking about the cost of a porch, it’s important to mention accessories. Contrary to what you might think, the cost of a porch does not include accessories like railings or lighting. These are additional expenses that can be added on top of your basic materials and labor costs. Accessories vary greatly in price depending on their type (a curved stairway is much more expensive than a straight one), but there are plenty of options out there if you want something special for your front porch design. If you’re looking for inspiration when it comes to selecting accessories for your new front porch design, check out our post “24 Porch Ideas That Don’t Need To Break The Bank.”
Roofing Material
If you’re planning to build a porch roof yourself, or if you need a contractor to do the work for you, there are many different options when it comes to materials. But no matter which one you choose, there will be costs associated with the installation and maintenance of your porch’s roofing material.
Roofing Material Costs
The most expensive part of building a porch is usually its roofing material (also called shingles). Depending on what kind of wood or metal you want to use and whether or not you hire someone else to do it, this could cost anywhere from $50-$300 per square foot (or more).
- Metal roofs: Metal roofs can last up to 50 years if they’re properly maintained and cleaned regularly—which means regular visits from an experienced metal roofer. The average cost for installing one is around $500 per square foot though some companies specialize in custom designs that cost upwards of $1000 per sq ft depending on factors like size/shape/angle etcetera.
Waterproofing
There are several ways to waterproof your porch, and you may not know which is the best option for your situation. Here are some of the most popular methods:
- Roofing tar. This option creates a waterproof barrier by coating the wood with asphalt, which dries into a hard shell. It’s good at preventing leaks but it’s not very attractive and can be difficult to remove if you want to replace or repair parts of your porch later on.
- Cement stucco. You can use this material for both interior and exterior porches; it’s applied in layers that dry over time and are then sanded down so they’re smooth enough for painting or staining (if desired). Cement stucco has a long lifespan since moisture doesn’t affect its strength as much, but it requires some skill when applying so that cracks don’t appear later on (or else they’ll have to be repaired).
Painting Costs
Painting a front porch is one of the most cost-effective ways to restore its appearance and value. The average cost to paint a front porch ranges from $1,000 – $3,000 depending on the size and type of porch. However, if you do some of the work yourself (for example, removing old paint or moving furniture), you can cut costs even further.
When considering painting costs for your project:
- Determine what type of siding your home has and how much square footage it covers in order to determine how much paint will be needed for each area. If there are any areas that need more than one coat of paint or special treatment such as spackling or filling holes before painting them, add these expenses into your calculations as well.* Determine whether any repairs need to be made before priming and/or painting so that they won’t occur after applying multiple coats.* Find out if there are any laws prohibiting certain types of finishes being used on certain surfaces (such as vinyl siding) which may limit choices available within certain budgets.”
Average cost $11,400 – $23,250
The average cost to build a porch is $11,400 – $23,250. The size of your porch will determine how much it costs. Larger porches are more expensive than smaller ones. The materials and complexity of the design will also affect the price of your project.
Are you looking to save money? You can save thousands by doing some of the work yourself and hiring a contractor for other aspects of construction such as foundation work or plumbing.
In conclusion,
A front porch is a great way to make your home more welcoming and can be an excellent investment in your future. A new front porch can increase the resale value of your house by $6,000 or more. Plus, the benefits don’t stop there: it’s a great place to read a book on those cool fall nights or even have dinner with friends and family. If you’re looking for an affordable option that will make your house feel more like home, then building one may be right up your alley.
