Adding a back porch to your home can significantly enhance its comfort and beauty. It offers a perfect outdoor space to gather with friends and family and relish the scenic beauty around your home.
If you’re considering adding a back porch to your home, take inspiration from this two-story historic house. The contractor added a stunning porch featuring ipê wood flooring, a large fireplace, and an adjacent patio. Architect Nick Holmes from Holmes and Holmes Architects incorporated the existing residence’s architectural elements into the porch design, creating an aesthetically pleasing and cohesive look.
Watch this episode to learn how to add a beautiful back porch to your home.
Porch and Patio Foundation
To begin the construction process, the workers first established the exact location where they would build the addition. After this, they dug holes for the concrete footings and added steel rebar to reinforce them.
Once the footings were ready, they poured the concrete and laid concrete blocks on top of it. The resulting sturdy foundation can support the addition.
The crew also poured concrete for an adjoining patio. It used wooden forms to build troughs for a brick border in the concrete. The workers even added a decorative touch to the patio by cutting a diagonal pattern into it using a circular saw.
Porch Framing
Employees installed sheet metal termite shields atop the concrete block piers after completing the foundation. They utilized pressure-treated lumber to frame the 17-foot by 24-foot porch. Floor joists sloped down from the porch center to the edges to facilitate drainage.
Crews attached support posts to the joists and notched the post tops to receive beams. They installed ceiling joists across the porch between the beams to frame the ceiling.
Workers cut a decorative scroll design into the exposed rafter ends to match the house motif. The roof framing received plywood decking and roofing material.
Porch Fireplace
FireRock provided precast masonry components for the firebox and chimney so that the fireplace dimensions enabled proper airflow. Laborers covered the masonry fireplace and concrete block foundation piers with a brick veneer suiting the existing brickwork.
Porch Columns and Trim
To imitate the recessed panel columns on the home’s front, the crew wrapped the posts with:
- Plywood
- Trim boards forming faux panels
- 1 x 4 lumber corner boards
- Plinth blocks up top
- Crown molding around the capitals
- Column bases
We also installed a beadboard matching the front porch ceiling.
Ipê Porch Flooring
The ipê tongue and groove boards come from dense tropical hardwood that is naturally resilient against moisture, insects, and rot.
Stainless steel screws set into pre-drilled holes secured the flooring. Gaps between certain rows enabled wood expansion and contraction.
This South American species withstands weather fluctuations without damage over time, making it suitable for outdoor spaces. The rich brown flooring offers a visual contrast to the home’s white siding and landscaping.
Added Amenities
The property comes with a set of additional features that include custom outdoor kitchen cabinetry, pressure-treated lattice fencing around the foundation, a Mahogany French door for accessing the home interior, and a stone mantel with a flat-screen mounted over the fireplace.
All these enhancements have transformed the space into a multipurpose venue that is perfect for cooking, relaxing, and entertaining.
Maintenance Tips
Follow these guidelines to sustain your porch’s aesthetic appeal:
- Check support components for rot, cracks, or pests and replace damaged sections
- Clean ceiling fans, lighting, and fireplace vents to stop dust and grime accumulation
- Periodically power wash floors when dirt emerges
- Semiannually sand splinters and apply a protective finish to bare flooring spots
Proper upkeep preserves curb appeal and extends the lifespan of materials and structures.
So, Is Adding a Back Porch Worthwhile?
Installing a back porch can immensely improve backyard enjoyment and utility. An ample gathering space, cooking amenities, and scenic views transform the porch into an outdoor living hub. The architecture should complement the existing style.
Careful planning regarding size, roof pitch, door alignment, and zoning compliance is necessary. Property owners also need an adequate renovation budget to enlist specialized contractors.
A well-designed porch fusing indoor and outdoor areas creates valuable living space conducive to making memories. The projected cost and homeowners’ lifestyles determine if this addition makes sense.
FAQs About Adding a Back Porch
How much does it cost to add a back porch?
The average pricing for a 200-square-foot back porch is $4,600 to $22,000. High-end constructs with luxury finishes can surpass $100,000. Local rates for labor and materials greatly impact overall costs.
What size should a back porch be?
Back porch dimensions typically range from 150 to 500 square feet. When deciding on the size of your porch, consider the activities you plan to do on it and the available space in your yard. Be sure to account for overhead fixtures when calculating the area.
What kind of foundation does a porch need?
Back porches commonly utilize pier foundations with concrete footings and block piers elevating the framing. Attaching a porch directly to a home may mandate a thicker slab foundation to handle the load.
What features should I include in a back porch design?
Well-liked additions are ceiling fans, recessed lighting, a fireplace, cabinetry, and wiring to accommodate a future TV. Also, consider French doors, beadboard ceilings, and decorative columns/railings blending with the architecture.
How can I get approval to build a back porch on my property?
Most localities require permits for porch construction. Submit dimensions and materials to the building department for zoning compliance. Historic district ordinances may have additional restrictions.
