Porch design options. Porch for a summer residence - features of different types of structures. A terrace with a porch for a country house - a terrace with glazing and hiding in it from the cold and rain

The porch is a very important structure not only for a country house, but also for a summer residence. After all, it is the entrance lobby that shows the owner’s attitude towards his home, his taste, and also protects the building from bad weather. Therefore, it is important to choose the right quality materials for the porch and build it in accordance with the technology.

The main nuances of constructing a porch

The first thing that needs to be done before the construction process is to determine the architectural style of the future structure, materials and their consumption. All received data is entered into the drawing of the porch of the country house. It is also necessary to have a photo of the finished structure.

It is worth remembering that for a wooden house a wooden porch is best suited, and for a concrete and brick one - an entrance group made of the appropriate material. For the entrance area of a house, it is best to select the material from which the house itself is built, or to combine materials so that it looks appropriate.

There are a number of principles that experienced builders are advised to follow:

Ideally, the porch is built at the same time as the house to avoid unexpected distortions and settling problems.
The number of steps is always odd. This is necessary for comfortable movement on the stairs.
The width of the porch must be calculated depending on the type of entrance door. A single-leaf requires that the porch be at least 1.5 m, and a double-leaf - at least 2 m.
The depth of the porch area should be 1 m greater than the door leaf. A smaller platform may cause an accidental fall if you stand on it and open the door at the same time.
Staircases with more than three steps must be equipped with railings.

In any case, the porch can be divided into several types, which are presented in the photo below:

Open - a structure without a canopy. In areas where there is frequent rainfall, it is best not to build, as it is subject to rapid wear and tear.

Closed - a porch under a canopy with walls is a separate room of the house, which can be adapted for a summer kitchen or recreation area.

Indoor - a structure with a canopy, but without walls.

Materials for a country porch

As a rule, a dacha is a wooden structure that is not too large in size, so the porch for it is most often built from wood. It is best to make the structure from durable wood such as pine, larch, spruce or oak. In addition to strength, these materials are highly resistant to precipitation and durable.

Important! The boards should have a humidity level of 15-18%.

The platform is installed at least 5 cm below the entrance door. This is done to prevent the door from jamming when the material swells, as well as for fire safety purposes.

If you have the financial opportunity and desire, then you can make a concrete porch at your dacha. Such a design, if made strictly according to technology, can serve for a long time.

It is made from grade 400 cement, as it is the highest quality and most suitable material for this type of work. It’s also not worth saving on formwork, since low-quality, old boards may simply not support the weight of the porch. To decorate such a porch, natural stone, porcelain stoneware or tiles, as well as other finishing materials are used. An example of such a structure is shown in the photo:

If the budget is completely limited, then you can make the entrance group out of brick, as in the photo. This material is relatively inexpensive, but also not very durable, since it begins to crumble when exposed to atmospheric conditions. Under no circumstances should you use used material to construct a structure, since its integrity has already been compromised, although this is sometimes not visible from the outside. A brick porch can be faced in the same way as a concrete one, with tiles or porcelain stoneware with a rough structure to prevent slipping, as well as with other materials.

Often, cottages and houses are equipped with a metal porch. This is the most durable material. Metal processing consists only of coating it with an anti-corrosion agent, which will prevent rust and shedding of the material. Manufacturing can be done from a profile pipe or an equilateral angle, which will significantly reduce the cost of the design. Another advantage of such a structure is the ability to make a pile foundation for it, which also will not greatly affect the budget. The main mistake when constructing such a structure is a metal canopy. It is better if the material for the roof is polycarbonate, since metal makes a very loud sound when it rains.

Country porch design

It would seem, how can you decorate the porch at the dacha? There are a huge number of options and style trends that can be implemented on your site.

If the entrance group is wooden, then its main decoration, of course, will be carving and the use of large rounded logs in the construction. It is better not to use paint, but to emphasize the naturalness with varnish. Such materials are the most harmonious.

You can make a European porch - a small and neat structure, decorated with forged elements and an abundance of flowers. You can combine colors and play with contrast. Dark doors with light railings, as in the photo, will look interesting.

Those who love lightness and unobtrusiveness can be advised to decorate the porch at the dacha in the French style using a glass door and lattice, decorated with flowers. Usually a path paved with durable material leads to the house.

Minimalists can recommend a classic design without unnecessary details in a strict design.

Often the porch is combined with a terrace to have an additional seating area. It is also recommended to illuminate it. The simplest option would be a light bulb under the canopy, and a more sophisticated option would be lamp posts next to the stairs.

Do-it-yourself porch construction technology

The first stage is clear design and planning. After the work of taking measurements and creating a design for the future structure has been completed, you can begin laying the foundation.

Laying the foundation and creating the site

Depending on the material, the foundation may be different. A metal porch can be installed on piles, but a concrete, wooden or brick one cannot.

Let's consider the algorithm for constructing a foundation for these types of porches. Heavy construction requires the creation of a strip or monolithic base. Its depth should be no less than the depth of the foundation of the house.

A pit is dug according to the size of the future structure
A gravel-sand cushion 20 cm thick is poured onto the bottom and compacted.
Concrete is poured into the formwork, prepared in the following ratio: 1 part cement: 2 parts crushed stone: 2 parts sand. Water is added to a minimum so that the concrete becomes non-liquid.
The poured concrete is leveled.
After the foundation has completely dried (about 7 days), waterproofing is done with roofing felt or other material.

In the case of constructing a concrete structure, formwork is laid in the shape of the steps and reinforcing mesh. Next, the material is poured in layers, thereby obtaining even steps.

To make a wooden porch, proceed a little differently:

They dig a trench around the perimeter of the porch.
A reinforcing mesh is installed in it and load-bearing beams, pre-treated with an antiseptic, are dug in.
Filled with concrete.
After a week, the length of the pillars is leveled, and horizontal logs are installed and attached to the wall of the house.
A subfloor is laid, which must be treated with waterproofing or other material to prevent rotting.

Construction of steps and railings

For a concrete porch, the steps, as mentioned above, are poured with concrete in layers and sanded to a smooth surface.

In order to make steps for a wooden porch you will have to spend a little more effort and time. You need to take fairly thick boards of about 5 cm or more and use them to mount the steps.

Stringers are laid on the sides, which are marked in advance at the places where the steps are attached. Laying the steps starts from the bottom, first the riser is attached, then the step. According to this algorithm, work continues to the very top. The last step is to lay the porch area from the appropriate material. The diagram is shown in the photo.

For a concrete porch, install the railings while the mortar is still wet so that they are securely fastened or bolted to dry steps.

Wooden railings are attached using dowels or self-tapping screws. In the first case, glue is additionally used.

The porch is a part of the house that is subject to constant use due to increased traffic. Made in harmonious combination with the material of the walls, it becomes a beautiful evidence of the well-being of the owner and his attentive attitude towards his home.

Several design options

First of all, you should decide on the options for the entrance group; several landscaping methods are described below.

Open entrance

A porch without a canopy is sometimes used for private houses. This type of entrance represents a platform open on all sides. Railings are not installed, since the height usually does not exceed several steps. The site is exposed to precipitation, since there is no roof or canopy over it.

Most often, an open area is created if there is a veranda behind it. Such open types are suitable in southern regions with a dry climate, and in damp areas with high rainfall, open options are not built.

With terrace

To protect those entering the house, a porch of a private building with a canopy is made. This type allows you to approach the arrangement of the entrance with a huge range of different options, as evidenced by numerous photos. The roof above the platform plays the role of an elegant accessory or becomes the final detail in the whole ensemble of the façade exterior.

A covered area with a porch is the most effective solution; it is economical and practical to use. It is impossible to make a separate canopy in front of the entrance if the platform falls under the common extended edge of the roof or there is a balcony above it. Some canopy options involve expanding it to the roof of a parking lot or a small cozy terrace.

Buried option

This type involves fencing the site with walls made of wood. They can be solid and contain window openings in their design. The role of the roof is played by a separate canopy or a higher balcony above the entrance. Such a weather-protected room further expands the usable area of the house.

Sometimes the area inside the closed entrance is made spacious and an additional kitchen is installed there in the summer for preparing food; in the winter, shelves are installed for storing food. You can combine a closed entrance with a spacious terrace for parties and receiving friends. If you make a solid and spacious closed entrance, then most often you need to build a foundation.

How to make a wooden porch with your own hands - step-by-step work

The construction of a wooden porch often does not require an additional foundation, which helps save money. When manufacturing the structure, attention is paid to massive steps and original railings.

Wood goes well with walls made of artificial and natural stone, brick, covered with siding or plastic. The canopy posts are made massive if the design concept requires it, or they are decorated with figures, light carvings, and balusters of unusual shapes are installed. Wood can be easily painted in different colors, which makes it possible to develop design ideas.

Wood is a malleable material that can be easily processed and can be processed in complex ways. Steps and other wooden structures, treated with special impregnations against rotting and antiseptics against microbes, will last for quite a long time, and will not only have a presentable appearance, but will also delight the owners of the house with their grandeur and splendor.

The porch is divided according to the method of connection to the house:

built-in type, located on a common base with the house and built together with it;
attached, carried out in the process of finishing work.

Construction device

The construction is carried out on a natural straight or sloping site using a frame. A wooden or metal box is made, which serves as the basis for installing and fastening the steps. This is a budget option and can be implemented at any stage of construction or after the start of operation of the house.

A porch is built on a bowstring or reinforced stringer, in which a metal box-base is provided only in the lower part, and the upper part rests on the base of the house or floor slab. This method opens up possibilities for a greater number of design options, as it has greater load-bearing capacity than the previous budget option.

Common mistakes

It’s better to learn from the mistakes of others, so we were able to identify several common deviations that beginners encounter:

when designing, the materials of the house’s walls were not taken into account, and the porch stands out from the general style of the exterior;
errors in the dimensions of the structure do not provide a proportional combination with the dimensions of the house;
errors are made in measurements, the surrounding paths, flower beds, location and dimensions of the front door are not taken into account, which distorts the correctness of the design solution;
excess consumption of material is allowed as a result of incorrect choice of design;
the design strength of the structure is insufficient;
no additional treatment with antiseptics or protective compounds is provided for exposed parts and load-bearing structures in the ground, which leads to premature damage to the wood and reduces its service life;
the absence of a load-bearing foundation under a heavy, massive porch leads to sloughing of the soil and displacement of the structure;
soil characteristics are not taken into account, in particular, subsidence and the possibility of heaving.

Choosing building material

When planning construction, you should first determine the type of wood most suitable for the structure. For outdoor buildings, coniferous wood, pine or larch are chosen. You can make parts from a whole log, which looks very colorful for large estates and mansions. Stringers can be made from logs laid on top of each other, and steps are provided from a trunk sawn along the length.

For the device you will need to prepare the following types of material:

It is recommended to make the porch supports from 10 x 20 cm timber. This is a standard solution; the choice of section for each specific case depends on the load, the number of supports and other operating conditions;
for the manufacture of a solid platform and steps, a board with a thickness of 2.5 to 5 cm, depending on the span, is optimal;
you can install ready-made balusters and railings in the structure, or you can make them from slats or thin timber, the dimensions of which are determined depending on the project;
provide protective solutions and compositions for impregnation of finished parts;
concrete and metal profile (if they are provided for in the design for the foundation).

We design

If you start construction without a project or diagram, then the difficulties that arise will put the craftsman in front of the need to change something during the construction of the structure. The presence of all diagrams and dimensions in a visual form on paper will make changes easier and simpler. The project must contain:

drawing, drawing or photo of the appearance of the porch in front and side projection;
the location, number and height of steps are indicated;
height and placement of railings, frequency of balusters;
size and shape of the visor;
dimensions of the platform base;
the dimensions of the side walls, their thickness, the presence of window and door openings.

There are patterns, defined by norms and rules, used for the rapid construction of structures:

the platform is made at the level of the foundation or foundation of the house;
the width of the area in front of the front door, taking into account the size of the first step, is usually taken to be 1.3–1.7 m;
the width of the step should be within 30–40 cm, its standard height is 15–20 cm;
the bottom of the visor is located 25–30 cm above the top of the entrance door;
The minimum width of the passage on the porch for one person is taken to be within 70–80 cm; for two people to walk hand in hand, this passage is increased to 1.4–1.6 m.
if the ascent to the platform is more than three steps, then the porch must be equipped with railings;
the front door usually opens outward, so the last finishing layer of the platform should not raise it more than 5 cm below the level of the opening line;
the project includes waterproofing wooden walls from a concrete base, if provided;
the width of the platform is made taking into account the opening of a double or single leaf door;
it is recommended to provide night lighting for the entrance area and the surrounding area;
the extension of the canopy is made by 40–50 cm in length and width relative to the platform;
It is recommended to include in the design an inclination angle of the steps and platform of about 2–3 degrees to avoid the accumulation of water and the formation of ice.

Making the foundation

A lightweight structure can be installed without a foundation, but its foundation will help avoid the structure’s dependence on seasonal shifts and swelling of the soil. To do this, you can choose a columnar foundation.

A solid slab-type foundation is located under the porch and platform and is made in the form of a foundation for massive large entrances combined with terraces and verandas. The strip foundation is the most economical, as it has sufficient tensile strength with reduced material costs.

It is better to take the depth of the foundation at the level of the foundation of the house. It is recommended to fasten these two foundations together using embedded parts made of reinforcement or strip metal.

During construction, a number of mandatory rules must be observed according to the instructions:

the base of the stringer beam must rest in an area isolated from moisture, which is located on the foundation;
it is better to make supports from coniferous wood, which works better in wet conditions of contact with the ground;
It is imperative to treat all load-bearing and structural parts with an antiseptic to a height of up to 52 cm above the soil level; drying oil or used machine oil is used as impregnation;
the supports are installed to a depth of at least 80 cm or at a distance equal to 1/3 of the length, the number of racks depends on the massiveness of the structure;
after the concrete solution has hardened, the height of the racks is adjusted;
for reliable laying of beams and joists in the upper part of the racks, quarters are chosen;

Installing the steps

The steps are installed from below and gradually move upward. They are attached to the beam with self-tapping screws or wooden pins. It is advisable to lubricate both of them with wood glue before use. The heads of the screws must be well sunk into the wood to avoid foot injuries.

The porch is a functionally significant element of the architectural ensemble of a country house, which, in addition to its practical purpose, performs an aesthetic function, emphasizing the beauty of the entire building. Being the front part of the building, the porch of a private house can tell a lot about its owner: about his tastes, attitude towards his site, material wealth. That is why many of us try to decorate the facade of the house so that it stands out from others. And even if at the construction stage the owner does not have the opportunity to attach a beautiful wooden porch to the house, he can always realize what he wants after a while.

The porch of a wooden house is an extension in front of the entrance to the building, which serves as a transition from ground level to floor level.

Since the height difference between the ground and the floor often reaches from 50 to 200 or even more centimeters, the porch is equipped with a staircase made of steps

The practical function of the porch also lies in the fact that the wooden extension is designed to protect the front entrance of the house from snow and rain. Therefore, the area adjacent to the entrance door is also equipped with a canopy. Depending on the shape and purpose, the porch may have one of the design options; let’s look at some of them.

Option #1 – open area on the steps

A compact platform with adjacent steps is an excellent addition to the architectural ensemble of a small one- and two-story wooden house

Option #2 – platform with partially closed walls

When arranging a porch located on a small elevation, low fences perform a protective function, protecting against falls and possible injuries.

On the porch, the height of which does not exceed half a meter, such railings and partially closed walls act more as a decorative design

Option #3 – closed porch

Owners of country houses most often equip a glazed porch if they have the opportunity to build a more spacious area next to the entrance.

The space of such a porch - veranda, furnished with comfortable garden furniture, allows you to receive guests and enjoy a pleasant holiday in the fresh air

Self-construction of a wooden porch

Before you start building a porch to your house, it is important to decide not only on the size of the structure, but also to consider the presence of steps, the height of the handrails and the general appearance of the porch.

A detailed design of the future structure or at least a drawing of the porch will allow you to visually formalize the idea and calculate the required amount of material

When designing a structure, a number of points should be taken into account:

The width of the porch area should be no less than one and a half times the width of the front entrance. The porch is located on the same level as the first floor of the building. In this case, a margin of 5 cm should be provided from the level of the porch platform for the front door. This will allow you to avoid complications in the future if the surface of the wooden platform is deformed under the influence of moisture when opening the front door. After all, according to fire safety requirements, the front door should only open outward.
The number of steps is calculated with the aim that when climbing a person steps onto the porch platform leading to the front door with the foot with which he started moving. When arranging a porch in a country house, they usually make three, five and seven steps. The optimal size of steps: height 15-20 cm and depth 30 cm.
Wooden steps leading to the porch should be placed at a slight inclination of several degrees. This will prevent puddles from stagnating after rain or melting ice during the cold season.
It is advisable to provide a canopy to protect the front entrance from precipitation. The presence of fences and railings will make it easier to climb and descend the steps, which is especially important in winter, when the surface is covered with a crust of ice. From an ergonomic point of view, the most comfortable height for a person is 80-100 cm.
When building a porch, you should also take into account that when attaching an extension to a monolithic building, it is extremely undesirable to connect the building structures “tightly”. This is due to the fact that the house and the porch, having different weights, create different shrinkage. This can cause the formation of cracks and deformations at the joints.

Stage #2 – preparation of materials and construction of the foundation

To make a wooden porch you will need the following materials:

Beam with a section of 100x200 mm for installing support pillars;
Boards 30 mm thick for arranging the platform and steps;
Rails with a cross section of 50 mm for side posts and railings;
Antiseptics for treating wood surfaces;
Cement mortar.

The following construction tools should be prepared:

Saw or jigsaw;
Hammer;
Level;
Screwdriver;
Fastening materials (nails, screws);
Shovel.

The construction of any building structure begins with laying the foundation.

The optimal option for laying a reliable and durable support for the construction of a wooden porch to the house is the construction of a pile foundation

Unlike traditional concrete types of foundations, a pile foundation does not require large financial costs for construction. In addition, it is quite easy to install: any owner with basic construction skills can build a pile foundation.

Wooden beams intended for supports should be treated before installation. This allows you to prevent wood rotting and extend the life of the supporting structure. In the places where the supports are installed, we dig holes 80 cm deep, the bottom of which is lined with a sand and gravel “cushion”.

Having leveled the base, we install the support pillars vertically, level them, check the height, and only after that fill them with cement mortar

The height of the piles should be calculated taking into account that even after the platform has been laid on them, the distance to the door remains at least 5 cm.

Fill the vertically installed support pillars with cement mortar and wait for it to dry completely. Only after this we fix the outer row of support posts to the wall of the house using self-tapping screws. This will significantly increase the strength of the structure. We lay the logs horizontally directly on the support pillars.

Stage #3 – making a stringer and installing steps

To arrange a flight of stairs, you will need to make a special inclined board - a stringer or bowstring.

A flight of stairs can have two design options: with embedded steps or with cut out ledges

Using a special triangular pattern, we make recesses for the bowstring. You can make such a template yourself by cutting out a blank from thick cardboard. One of the sides of the pattern corresponds to the horizontal part of the future steps - the tread, and the second to the vertical part - the riser. The number of steps depends on the size of the porch area and the expected load that they will have to withstand.

Having calculated the required number and sizes of steps, we mark the profile of the future bowstring on the board. As a basis for making a bowstring, it is better to use unedged lumber, which is an order of magnitude wider than conventional edged boards.

To secure the lower part of the bowstring, it is necessary to pour a concrete support platform. To protect the lower stage from steam rising from the ground, it is advisable to lay a vapor barrier with the top layer.

At this stage of construction, it is also necessary to provide a “cushion” device to drain excess moisture

Having filled the support area with cement mortar, we wait for the base to completely dry and only after that we begin to install the bowstring. We fix them on the supports using screws or nails. The distance between the bowstrings should not exceed one and a half meters.

Stage #4 – assembly of the wooden structure

We attach the finished stringers by sawing, or using the tongue-and-groove method, to the joists of the site. To do this, we fix the boards with grooves to the area beam so that subsequently the spikes of the bowstrings are inserted into the grooves of the board.

After this, we move on to installing the wooden floor of the site. When laying the boards, it is advisable to fit them together as tightly as possible. This will further avoid the formation of large cracks during the drying process of the wood.

The final stage of assembling a wooden porch is the installation of steps and risers

We begin laying from the bottom step, fastening using the tongue-and-groove method and additionally fixing them with self-tapping screws. First we attach the riser, and then the tread on it.

The porch is almost ready. All that remains is to make the railings and arrange the canopy. To give the structure a more attractive and complete look, it is enough to coat the surface with varnish or paint.

Videos with examples of porch construction

The porch of a private house or country house is a kind of “face” of the structure. The design of the porch, which attracts attention and serves as a reliable support, allows you not only to get inside the house, but also to spend your free time, sitting comfortably in the air.

Features and building codes

Essentially, the porch is a kind of extension with steps to the building, with the help of which you can enter or exit the room. It is quite important for giving a finished, neat look to a private or country house, and also protects the building from snow and rain. Most often, the design parameters are thought out at the design stage, but one of its features is the possibility of an extension after the building itself has been erected.

Traditionally, the material that is used to build the home itself is also used to construct the porch or veranda. Therefore, a wooden house should have a porch made of wood, and a brick house should have a porch made of brick. However, most often a wooden veranda with steps is added even to a brick house, since this material is cheaper and easier to work with.

Before starting construction, it is necessary not only to choose the design you like and make all the calculations, but also to familiarize yourself with the basic building codes.

The area for the porch must be made large enough, since it is recommended to choose the width of the structure so that two people can easily separate on it (at least 1.5 m).
The door should open outward without obstruction, allowing people standing on the porch to avoid colliding with it. The platform itself can be attached to the facade wall or rest on separate pillars, the main thing is that it is 3-5 cm below the edge of the front door. This is quite important, since in the winter season the porch will rise and can block the entrance to the room.

The width of the stairs, according to the standards, must be at least 1 m, and the height of the steps should not be less than 16 and more than 20 cm for comfortable descent and ascent. The most comfortable depth would be a step of 25-30 cm. The overall steepness (slope) of the flight of stairs depends on the size of the steps: the smaller it is, the more comfortable it is to climb. To prevent water from accumulating on the platform or steps during precipitation and damaging them, it is necessary either to leave small gaps between adjacent boards or bricks, or to install the platform and steps at a slight slope.
It is best to install a separate foundation for the porch; there is no need to attach it to the already finished foundation under the house itself. It is recommended to build two types of foundations for the porch: poured or columnar. If possible, you can build a frame system from reinforcing bars, which will increase the reliability and durability of the structure.

Types of structures

Depending on the type of structure, the porch can be:

open;
closed;
on two sides;
in the form of a vestibule, terrace and even a gazebo.

The closed design has greater protection from wind and precipitation. In summer, you can hide under it from the scorching sun, and in winter, even the heaviest snowfall will not cover the front door or block it. However, this design is not easy to install and is quite expensive. The porch area is completely covered with a canopy, there may be a canopy over the stairs, the sides are covered with fences to the height of the railing or completely. This design is perfect for any home with the right selection of design and materials.

An open small porch is much cheaper and easier to build. It only has railings and a small canopy, which sometimes does not even cover the entire area. In the simplest case, the canopy and railings at the porch may also be absent, but if the extension is high enough, the absence of a fence poses a certain danger. Most often, such simple attached structures are erected near country houses, which are simply not used in winter. The small foundation of such a porch is attached to the outer wall, and the extension itself consists of only a couple of steps and a small platform near the door and is not able to protect it from rain and snow.

The design of the vestibule is a small closed buffer zone, which reduces the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. The vestibule also reduces heat loss in the winter and increases the coolness inside the house in the summer.

A porch with a staircase descending on two sides is erected when the construction of an ordinary staircase is impossible due to the presence of outbuildings. The layout of such an entrance allows you to go down in the direction you need, and go up from any side without going around the porch. Before building it, it is better to consider other options, since the design is quite complex and expensive.

The terrace is often mistakenly called a "veranda". Their main difference is that the veranda is located under the same roof as the main building and stands on the same foundation, while the terrace is built close to the house. Most often, the porch-terrace is an open structure with or without a large canopy. On the terrace you can place outdoor furniture or beautiful vases with flowers.

A porch-gazebo looks like an open veranda and is usually built of wood. Instead of a roof, you can put a mesh frame over such a gazebo, which in the summer will be covered with wild grapes or rose hips.

Sizes and shapes

The first thing you should pay attention to when designing a porch structure is its size.

They depend on the dimensions of the country building itself: for a small two-room country house it is not practical to build a large covered terrace, and a small extension staircase will look strange near a chic country mansion.
Dimensions must not contradict building regulations. If the house is built on uneven terrain, it is more convenient to build a porch with a high base, stairs and railings. To support a heavy canopy over a large porch, beautiful columns can be erected around the perimeter.

The shape of the porch may depend on the configuration of the street staircase and be:

rectangular;
angular;
in the shape of a trapezoid;
radial: semicircular, oval, round;
asymmetrical.

There are no strict regulations in choosing the shape of the porch; it is selected in accordance with the design of the site and the house itself. Rectangular and square designs add a certain severity and weight. Round ones, on the contrary, soften the overall appearance of the structure. The design does not have to be a perfect circle; it is enough to just outline a small circle and remove sharp corners.

An original solution would be a corner porch, which can be of absolutely any shape. You can build a trapezoidal platform, a triangular and even a completely asymmetrical complex structure. The main thing is that the porch harmoniously complements the single design idea and does not introduce dissonance.

Material selection

Natural and artificial stone are well suited for the construction of large monolithic structures. Granite is durable and wear-resistant, but its price on the building materials market is quite high and it is used in the construction of luxury real estate. For more economical options, sandstone is used, which is easy to process yourself and will fit perfectly into any design.

The finished stone porch can be faced with clinker tiles or porcelain stoneware.

There are special sets on sale that include three types of tiles:

for facing steps;
standard product in various sizes;
corner for steps.

With all the elegance and beauty of stone structures, wood remains the most popular material for the construction of stairs and platforms. It is best to choose hardwood, such as oak or alder. A more economical option is linden and larch boards. Before installation, the wood must be treated with a special solution containing an antiseptic, which protects the wood fibers from rotting processes. To prevent wooden steps from being slippery, small grooves can be cut along the edges.

You can also build a structure from brick or a metal profile, or install a forged ladder.

Foundation

The optimal foundation option for a wooden porch area is piles. This design is economical and can be easily erected on the site with your own hands in a short period of time. In addition, the columnar foundation allows you to make the porch high enough and install it on an uneven surface.

It is advisable to do strip and slab foundations if you plan to build a large veranda or patio. The slab foundation is tied to the foundation of the house, which allows you to install the porch even on moving soil.

Manufacturing stages

Since the most popular option is the construction of a porch made of wood, it would be advisable to consider all stages of manufacturing using its example.

Design. Before you start building anything with your own hands, you need to think through and calculate everything. The design of the porch, the width and length of the platform and stairs are selected. The number of steps is calculated so that a person steps onto the landing with the same foot with which he began climbing the stairs. It is advisable to provide fencing, a canopy and railings. It is not recommended to attach the structure to the building itself with a monolithic connection, as cracks may occur due to different shrinkage into the ground. Based on the selected parameters, a general design drawing is created, as well as small diagrams of individual fasteners and elements, which you can take with you when purchasing materials or quickly view when performing construction work.

Preparation of materials, construction of the foundation. It is necessary to purchase timber for the installation of support pillars with a cross-section of 100x200 mm, boards of the selected material 30 mm thick, slats 50 mm thick for railings and fences. Additionally, antiseptics for wood processing and cement are purchased to secure the support pillars.

Tools you may need include various fasteners (screws, nails), a shovel, a saw. For measurements, it is most convenient to use a construction tape and a level, and fasten the parts with a screwdriver or hammer.

Unlike a strip or slab foundation, a pile foundation does not require large financial and time investments. The beams must be pre-treated with an antiseptic and allowed to dry completely. Then mark the installation locations of the support and dig holes 70-80 cm deep in the places. It is necessary to lay sand and gravel at the bottom of such pits to increase the stability of the foundation pillars.

The piles are lowered into the hole and leveled; only after this can they be filled with concrete. After complete drying, the supports that are adjacent to the wall of the house can be screwed to it using self-tapping screws. This will add strength to the resulting structure.

Making stringers, fastening steps. The stringer (or bowstring) of a staircase is a side element that holds the steps. All stairs have such an element in their design and differ only in the way the steps are attached: with mortise, sliding and attached corners. To mark the recesses on the stringer, you need to make a small template, one side of which corresponds to the size of the horizontal part of the step (tread), and the second to the vertical part (riser). The string is cut using a saw along the marked lines, and a concrete support platform is formed at the point where it connects to the ground.

Assembly of the structure. After the concrete has completely dried on the supporting platform, you can proceed directly to the installation of the entire structure. The finished stringers are attached to the supports with the upper edge and to the joists of the support platform with the lower edge either by sawing or using the tongue-and-groove method. Then the wooden floor of the site is installed, the boards are tightly fitted and connected using nails or self-tapping screws. It is important to leave a few gaps so that water does not accumulate on the porch during rain.
Laying steps, installing railings and canopy. Laying begins from the bottom, the steps are attached using the tongue-and-groove method and additionally secured with small self-tapping screws. The riser is attached first, and the tread is already fixed onto it. Lastly, the railings and canopy are installed, if planned.

What to paint with?

A finished wood porch can be treated in a variety of ways to maintain or enhance its appearance. Using wax, you can protect wood fibers from moisture and dirt, which negatively affects its strength. A carved wooden porch can be varnished, which will not only protect the material, but also make numerous edges and cuts sparkle in the sun, revealing the master’s idea. However, the easiest way to finish wooden structures located on the street is painting.

The porch is the first thing guests see and can be considered the calling card of any home. The design of the porch creates an impression not only of the house, but also of its owner. And the neater and more attractive it looks, the better.

Sculptures, flowers, columns, and carved balusters are often used for decorative purposes. But you need to take into account the general style. Let’s say that a chic stone porch is not suitable for a simple wooden house, and, on the contrary, for a huge brick structure a small wooden porch will look ridiculous.

The main components of the structure are:

Steps;
Railing;
Visor;
Area.

Types of porches

There are many types of porches. They vary in size, materials from which they are made, additional elements and functionality.

First, let's look at the most common ones. It is suitable for a small house or cottage. It's the easiest to build.

Brick porch will look organic next to a brick house. However, with proper decoration, this can be done for a wooden house and buildings sheathed with other materials.

Porch with columns Not suitable for every home. Firstly, because it is not easy to fit into the overall design. Secondly, not many materials are compatible in style with columns. The columns fit well into a building made of brick or stone.

Screened porch especially relevant for cold climates. It is more difficult to design than usual, but in its functionality this porch is superior to the main types.

Porch design

Before starting construction itself, it is necessary to at least have the entire construction plan in mind. But it’s better to draw it on paper and calculate all the dimensions, pay attention to all the nuances.

For the project it is important to provide:

Location of adjacent parts (doors, walkways);
Construction materials;
Tools;

An example of a project is shown in the figure. This porch consists of:

supporting part;
steps;
handrail;
side part in the form of a flower bed;
canopy

The porch, as a rule, is made so that it is on the same level with the 1st floor of the house, but you need to take into account the margin for the front door, which should be at least 5 cm from the porch area (since, in accordance with fire safety regulations, the front door should open outwards).

When designing, you should take into account a canopy or a full roof for protection from precipitation. You definitely need to think about fences, since in winter the steps often become icy. It will be dangerous to move along them without support at this time.

How to choose materials for a porch

When choosing materials for a porch, it is best to rely on what the main building is made of. As already mentioned, wood is suitable for a wooden house, and brick for a brick house. At the same time, it is possible to select compositions from different materials. But for this they need to be correctly assembled and adjusted. For example, a porch made from standard stair steps will fit harmoniously into a spacious stone house, and ceramic cladding will make such a structure original.

A wooden structure is the easiest to build, since it does not require much support, which means that you can do without a foundation. But this material also has obvious disadvantages - low strength.

Metal is quite suitable as an additional material. It is usually mounted on a concrete base.

Important! Do not forget about waterproofing; in humid and cold climates this plays a big role.

How to calculate the size of the porch

It would seem that you don’t have to worry too much about the size, but this is not so, because the porch must first of all be safe. And also convenient.

Door area. Let's start with an observation: to open a door, a person first approaches the door, turns, inserts the key, opens it, and then takes a step back. To do all these actions, you need a certain space to the left and right of the door, as well as in front of it.

There are building codes that regulate the size of the porch. They differ depending on whether the door is single-leaf or double-leaf.

For the first, the depth should be at least one and a half meters, the width from one and a half to one meter and sixty centimeters. For the second, with the same depth, the width should be over two meters. Of course, one should not take these parameters as an ideal. It would be better if they were at least slightly exceeded. You should definitely take care of this if the porch is high.

Steps. Their width differs from structures inside buildings; external ones should be more comfortable and safe. It is recommended to make a tread of at least 30 centimeters.

Despite the fact that the number of steps is often small, their height, on the contrary, should be reduced compared to internal stairs. A good height in this case is between 14 and 17 centimeters.

Railings and fences. If the porch is more than 3 steps high, then it is necessary to install fences on it. The standard size of the railing is suitable - 80-90 centimeters.

Light . Lighting is important during the construction of a porch, since this is a place of particular risk of injury. The same rule of 3 steps applies here, that is, if the staircase has 4 or more steps, then one lamp is not enough. You need to hang at least two so that they illuminate the porch from different sides. This is due to the fact that the lighting fixture located above the door creates a large shadow, as a result of which the steps are not properly visible.

Visor. What is it for? The first answer that comes to mind is to hide from the rain. But, besides this, it is also designed to protect the steps from precipitation, which is especially important in winter. Therefore, the canopy should be made wider than the porch. It is recommended that it be at least 30 centimeters longer than the porch on all sides.

Such a large canopy reduces the amount of light, especially if there are windows underneath it. To solve this problem, you can use polycarbonate for the purpose of constructing such a roof.

We build a porch for a house with our own hands

Let's consider the option of building a porch, the price of which most closely matches the quality. To do this, it is necessary to make a base from a conventional foundation, strengthening it with reinforcement and several layers of cement filled with mortar.

This porch can be finished with tiles, stone or any other suitable material.

Preparatory work

The construction of a porch, like any other object, begins with clearing the area and marking it. This is done in order to save time in the future. All necessary tools and materials (reinforcement, sand and cement) are also purchased.

Concrete foundation

It’s easy to guess that it all starts with creating a foundation, under which the first step is to dig a pit (the depth is equal to the size of the foundation of the house itself). Then, according to the rules, you should fill in a bed of gravel and sand, and then pour in the concrete, installing the formwork.

Rules and regulations should be followed so that the porch does not have to be restored in the next few years.

For the foundation you will need broken brick, on top of which a mesh of ribbed reinforcement is installed. This will strengthen the foundation and secure it to the foundation of the main building. Next, you need to remove the reinforcement from the foundation of the building; the future threshold will be poured over it. After you have a finished “floor” for the base, you need to drive more vertical pieces of reinforcement into it, which we fill on top with a good cement solution.

Porch base

After the foundation is poured, it is time to move on to forming the base of the porch. Backfill brick is suitable for this purpose. They should lay out the base of the structure, taking into account the required dimensions. At this stage, do not forget about waterproofing, since brick is sensitive to high humidity. Both horizontal and vertical types of waterproofing are needed - the base is cut off from the porch, the entire base is treated with aquazol or a double layer of roofing felt.

Laying steps

The time has come to lay the steps. A high-quality brick will come in handy here; it is not recommended to take a used one. In principle, almost any type of brick will do. It is placed on ordinary mortar in a way convenient for the builder. This stage should be approached with special care, because the steps are the main part of this structure.

Finishing and decoration

There is no big difference whether it is a wooden or brick porch, because the main thing is ease of use, high quality, reliability and durability. But the aesthetic component is also not in last place.

Therefore, it is necessary to decorate the porch of the house. To increase service life, it is worth trimming the edges of the steps with a metal corner.

For the integrity of the architectural ensemble, it is necessary to carry out coordinated color schemes in the decoration. So, if the enclosing structures have forging elements, then it would be a good idea to use similar elements in the design of railings and pilasters for the canopy.

Various directions in porch decor

Examples of beautiful design can be seen in the video

Classic. In this case, a gable canopy, turned railings and round balusters are required. Stone or tiles are suitable as cladding.

Castle style. Quite a massive structure, decorated with natural stone. For decorative purposes, you can use torch lamps, grilles, and heavy furniture.

Old Russian era. In Rus', the front entrance of a traditional wooden house was made high, on large heavy supports, and it was quite spacious. It was customary to use patterns and carved elements in large quantities as decorations.

Porch-patio. This structure looks like an open terrace adjacent to the house. There are benches, tables, and chairs on it. However, not in all cases a roof is placed over the structure.

European style. This design is characterized by restrained lines and regular features. As a rule, such a porch is a low structure. For cladding, use ceramic tiles or a suitable type of stone.

French style. A special feature here is the “French window”. Although in fact this is a door made with an openwork lattice design. To complement the look, flowers are used in hanging pots, wicker and wooden furniture.

Whatever porch design is chosen, it is important to remember to comply with construction technologies and the quality of materials. If these requirements are met, the porch will last a long time. And finally, I would like to post photographs of various designs of porches for wooden, brick and other houses.