Sorry, no virtual ability here, but wanted to say in the mean time you could put solar shade screens on your windows. They block up to 90% of the sun. It's amazing the difference in a rooms temperature with these screens. The two in my computer room blew off in a storm and boy can I tell the difference. I'm heading into the city tomorrow to order two replacements since the frames were damage beyond repair.
Not saying not to get a porch. We have ours screened in and love it. I think one would look great on your home too. I hope you get one soon.

Have those and wood blinds which seems to help thanks for your imput.

I thought they looked like solar shade screens, but with ours you don't see that middle bar as much. That's what threw me.
I hope someone stops by that has the programs to add a porch for you soon.

I don't see a good way to add a porch unless you want to completely redo your roof line. There is no easy way to tie one in. You could do a flat roof although I don't recommend that at all due to leaking issues.

You could do a porch with a pergola type roof ie open, but somewhat shaded and that way you don't have to figure out how to tie it in to existing roof etc.

Also you'd need to keep the porch floor really low to not have the scale off. No raising it due to the lower front walls. Maybe pour concrete or use pavers for the floor.

I was looking at this one but couldn't figure out how to add a porch either. My photoshopping skills consist of cut and pasting pictures together so if you found a photo of a porch you wanted to try, I could plop it on there. But like Lyfia mentions, I'm not sure how the roof would work. I'm not a woodworker or an architect...LOL! This one might be a tad over my head.

Some of the porches I like are jan in wiscosin's, slinky's, zipdee's, JoJoco, and Livinginoregan thanks for those great porches hope you don't mind if we try and cut and paste them on my house. Thanks

A few more possiblities. If I can't do a porch I will got back to the idea of putting rails on the one I have so maybe you could cut and paste some porch rails for me. - thanks again

http://www.nucenturyhomes.com/photo_illus/r_beechdale.jpg

http://image.americanhomeguides.com/metro/nho/community/denver/009840_p02.jpg

I use photoshop quite a bit for work but slapping a porch on that picture sounds way easier than it actually is. It would take me about 15 hours to mod that picture with something suitable to look at.
This is an instance where good, ol' fashioned imagination comes in handy.
Good luck on the project, whatever avenue you choose!

miles661, thanks for your input. I am not a photshopper as you can tell so I had not idea what it would take to do a porch. thanks for the reality check!!!

It's easy as long as the architecture allows...but this one is tricky. Even if you change the roof line, you'd still have to bump way out from the front door to get any decent porch. I tried a few things but it didn't work out so well. Here's just some white railings but kind of sloppy. Like I said, this one is a bit over my head. Maybe someone else will take a stab at it. ? Hey...did you ever finish your kitchen redecorating?? I remember that tuscan theme we were working on.

Thank you for noting that, Miles! : ) I, for one, do hate ignoring requests. I know most people don't understand the amount of time ps'ing can take, but it does feel like the 'decorating drive-thru' around here sometimes. Computers are very often viewed as magic, rather than the work that they are. I do totally understand not wanting to actually decide or invest in something without some visual renderings, though, which is one reason that I do it.

It's all been done, successfully or not. So if you've got an idea, something similar can usually be found in photographs with some research, in order to see if it has potential and if you like the way it looks in reality.

I agree that this house really doesn't look like a porch would be an easy renovation or fitting. I think a decorative garden arbor, or something else, sounds better.

I just worked for about 30 minutes to come up with the following. It's not wonderful, because I did the work with paint. Also, you would have to go outside to get to the porch, but I think a porch adds a bunch of character to your home. :)

Also, did you want a screened porch or open?

{{!gwi}}

newhomebuilder, that looks pretty! But then, I guess I can't figure out how to attach a porch. See where your columns meet the roof...how would you extend that out to actually get a porch. The roof has to come out at least 4 feet I would think. I love how you can do all of this in just the Paint program.

Wow you all are a amazing I like what both of you did. I am sorry I ask for a task that seemed so overwhelming, like I said I am not a photoshopper and I have no idea how that works. Thanks for all your work and time. It is greatly appreciated I have some visuals to start from. If anyone else has any ideas - maybe not photoshop please let me know.
Lindybarts, the kitchen is a fall project DH says it is way too hot in our part of the country to start any projects!!!!

lindybarts I think this is how it would work; when that hip roof would be added to mimic the one over the bay, there's a ridge that connects it to the existing roofline. That ridge could be minimal as it is on the bay roof or it could be several fee in order to bring the porch out. Hard to explain - but did that make sense?

newhomebuilder you did that with paint????? whoa baby - I'm impressed!

Maybe I should go back to the idea of planting a couple of trees for shade!!!lol

It was no trouble at all. I am an architect wannabe, so this is fun. I just wish I had the proper tools to make a better rendering.

Here are two more examples:

The roof line for the entrance needs to be steeper (as indicated with the fine black lines), and I also added railings and steps for the sitting porch area. You could extend the porch decking to the front entrance, so that there wouldn't be any step down/up.

{{!gwi}}

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newhomebuilder....BRAVO!!! I love how you did that and I'm still amazed this is only in the Paint program. Me thinks we have a new Pro Photoshopper in our midst! Great job!

Although I am still not getting the roofline on the left side of the house. I understand the hip part above the entrance (thanks for explaining dlm) I'm definitely not an architect! LOL

I am not understanding what you don't understand. lol

The left roof-line works just like the right side, only instead of that side of the roof hanging out over the bay window, it hangs out about 8 feet over the decking. It's hard to explain and even harder to draw without side views.

All that matters is that I think a porch would look great on the house, and it can be done by a good carpenter.

BTW - Unless the roof is in brand new shape, a newer roof section will look different from the old.

Well, now that I have worked on this project, I am going to work on a mock-up of my own home. I have been trying to get DH to let us have a pergola built onto the back of our house. Perhaps with a mock-up, he can see how much of an improvement a pergola could make to the back of our screened porch. :)

rdsso, I feel your frustration. I tried planting a tree and the poor thing died. So I opted to put in energy efficient Low E windows and that helps a great deal.

WOW...rddso..You Asked... & You Received !! LOL
I am impressed with what newhomebuilder and lindybarts did, and their suggestions. I do see though, what they are saying as far as incorportating a porch into your roof line. Some roof lines are simple to tie into...however yours would be more involved. If you give up on having a porch, and are still looking to obtain shade in the front, I'm sure there are other ways to go about doing it. You might want to consider a Stained Pergola or Porta-cochere that would tie in nicely with the front of your house. I've sometimes seen this look and it could make the front quite interesting with the right plantings. Just a thought.
Good Luck
Jane

newhomebuilder all I have to say is WOW!! That looks great - now the question can it been done. I now will have to try and find a builder to say yes. Roof is fairly new - we leave in the south and a hail storm get our roof about every four years. Lived her twelve and have had 3 new roofs!!!

Slinkey I also like your idea but also will need a visual of a Pergola or Porta-cochere.

One more time your talents are amazing!!!!!!1

newhomebuilder...don't mind me, I'm going blind! Seriously, I didnt see the hip section on the left but now I do. So with your drawing, there will be three triangular shapes including the exsiting hip. Gotcha! When my parents did theirs the roof line was just straight across and it was very easy to add on. Their door was not recessed back at all. So now I want to see what you're doing to YOUR house...LOL. I thought you had a brand new one??

rdsso, I can't wait to see how this turns out for you! Looking good on her virtuals!!

Per slinkey's suggestion, two more renderings with Porta-cochere versions. You could leave the lawn area open or add concrete for a true drive under. I did not included concrete for a drive under...I have my limits. lol

{{!gwi}}

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Or a Pergola
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newhomebuilder ... FABULOUS renderings. You did an excellent job with the roofline to incorporate a porch..I picked up on your roofline/pitches immediately. Now, as far as rddso not wanting to go that route (expense wise) the last three you did, with the simpler design of the porte-cochere/pergola.. seems the way for her to go. All in all, you did give her several options to shoot for...as lindybarts said - BRAVO !
jane

Newhomebuilder I love what you did. I think my favorites are the second and third pics you did on Aug. 4th. Even though this is probably the most expensive opinion it is my favorite.
I also like 1 and 2 you posted today. If I decide to do something like you posted today I think that can be done by DH. If I decide to go with a version of the first pics that will take an architect or a builder. OH DH will be so thrilled - lol thanks

You are most welcome. :) Those are my favorites, too. If you are leaning in the direction of being cost conscious, I am partial to the pergola. However, I really think it is too casual for the front of your home.

{{!gwi}}

My favorite is the second pic in the 21:05 post. Amazing difference!

Me too! Great job, Newhomebuilder!

Thank you! I like that one too.

Newhomebuilder, a big thank you for all your hard work. Showed DH the pics last night and he liked # 1 or #2 on 21:05. He is willing to get someone to come and look at the possiblities and what kind of structual changes would have to be made and of course the cost. We at least know now what a porch could possibly look like on our house. Thanks again and I am sure I will have to ask for help again on some other brainy idea I have!!!!!lol

Great!

I will not delete the photos from my Photobucket for a while, but you may want to print out the styles you like, in case they do disappear.