Design Ideas for replacing aluminum awning over front porch
J Szway
last year
last modified: last year
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Seeking Front Porch Pictures / Ideas
Comments (13)I love my front porch! It is the ideal place for my family and I to relax and unwind. I am a huge fan of porch swings! In my opinion, a porch is just not complete without one! I actually just purchased a new one from backyardcity.com. They had low prices and free shipping on lots of swings so you might want to check them out. I also think that plants are a beautiful addition. Seasonal flower can really add a beautiful touch. Here is a link that might be useful: Porch Swings...See MoreHelp with Challenging Front Porch/Walk/Entry Design!
Comments (15)Iesp, to truly work out all the issues in front of you .... you must have a base plan. We've been dealing with aspects of the problem not knowing EXACTLY where the parking, driveway and obstructions along the way, are, if any. We don't know the exact elevation difference (to the inch) from the front porch deck to a fixed, relevant point near the parking destination. One could make estimated guesses about what could be done, but they could be wrong because, at this point, the base information is vague. I feel quite certain, though, that the solution to a pleasant walk from the parking area to house is going to involve regrading with some specific goals in mind. Presently, the steps are concentrated at two areas: the porch and at the bank. The steps at the porch seem reasonably acceptable. But the steps at the bank are too many to create a pleasant experience. Ideally, you'd want to have banks of few steps (usually 2-4) separated by runs of a few feet. The runs, instead of being perfectly level, would be "slopes" so that they're also instrumental in lowering the elevation as the walk travels on toward the lower destination. It is the combination of steps and sloped walk that allows one to have the overall best walk experience ... not too far ... not too steep ... no wasted energy. (I put "slopes" in quote marks because they cannot be perceived as slopes. They must be subtle enough that they pose no danger or difficulty. Yet they must be doing some grade change work.) We haven't seen the porch yet. For the sake of argument I'm going to guess there are 4 steps there. At the bank there are six legitimate steps. With a total of ten steps and a total drop of 11' (averaging the estimate) .... it's a hugely unpleasant walk!! I would consider seeing if the parking area can be raised a bit. Every amount that the overall 11' elevation difference can be shrunk helps a lot. It's a lot easier to step on a gas pedal and get the car to do the work, than it is to get out and hoof up a bigger hill. It wouldn't make sense to lower the elevation near the house/porch/steps. But it would make sense to begin reducing it earlier than it presently begins (at the bank). I don't think there is a reason you must keep all of the plateau that the house rests on. If you walked a few feet from the porch and then stepped down 18" and kept repeating this scenario, the overall walk would be much friendlier. You could pull this off with an elevation drop of, for example, 2.5' for 10' or so of run. Since the overall run looks to be easily greater than 40', it should be no problem to get from the porch to the parking in a very pleasant way. BTW, an 8" step riser is HUGE. You'd want it to be more like 6". Bouncing back to a covering-over-the-porch issue, without a MAJOR architectural remodel I don't see a permanent porch roof as a possibility. But it might be possible to have an independent awning, not attached to the roof in any way, that covered the porch as an independent "roof." Two forms I could see exploring are the pyramid and shed roof shape. It would be something one would have custom made by an awning manufacturer. Since they may have already dealt with your exact problem, I would contact a local outfit and inquire if they have solutions already in mind that would work for you. It won't be seen from the back side so the fact that it wouldn't be architecturally kosher from that view wouldn't matter....See MoreIdeas for planters and front porch
Comments (3)I've seen stories about agents doing on site tours via video chat with prospective buyers. Meaning, the agent is the only person in the home and walks through all rooms and answers questions. If the lookers turn into serious potential buyers with pre-approved financing and all that, then a one-time showing can be arranged. In the hot market where I live (DC and DC metro area), many homes are purchased without the buyers ever actually being in the home. They are familiar with the areas and home styles, etc. Inspections can be done by one person in the home. There are some good articles online at WaPo (Washington Post). Call me crazy but if I needed to sell, I wouldn't be worried about one or two people in my home. I wouldn't want them using the bathroom or wiping their faces with my towels, but things can be wiped down after they leave....See MoreFront entrance/porch ideas
Comments (6)I think this one is doable. since you're doing the roof, have them do this and elongate the porch. bring in chunky cedar posts, new door. love the white brick. (romabio) Here's the Before: this one was almost like yours w/the metal porch. look how they redid it (painted brick, revamped path, flower beds, porch posts, painted windows, extended porch) what about this one? painted brick, black trimmed windows, simple overhang (like above) slightly different porch posts. The slate tile porch, extended over to one side, and the pathway w/flower beds, really add a lot. I like this idea too do a little arbor, redo the porch w/some coposite wood decking, or maybe some black slate tile w/wood steps. Get a more modern door. I hope you go w/a dark charcoal roof tile. I reall like this one too. what do you think about extending your porch under either window? since you're redoing the roof, adding a wood arbor like this wouldn't be too diffult. (can those windows be painted or are they vinyl? They'd look great trimmed out in black) And, I really like how they painted this porch deck and added the tiny flower beds in front of it. here's the gable you mentioned. porch is simple. what do you think about painting the brick? Look at Romabio Lime Masonry paint. all natural. what if you extended the roof over the front door similar to this? bring in some chunky cedar posts, new door, NO shutters. maybe paint the trim of the windows. They painted the brick black in this one. looks great w/the cedar Or, do the brick in all white. ignore the right side. you can see how they built onto the front porch and did the overhang w/a gable. this is going into the farmhouse vibe rather than the mcm vibe...See MoreJ Szway
last yearlast modified: last year
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