The Right Dimensions for Your Porch
Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space
Front porches nearly disappeared from new homes in the late 20th century, but our fondness for them remains. The porch allows a gracious and practical transition from public to private — a place where one can soak up the late-summer sun, visit with neighbors, watch a thunderstorm pass, greet arriving guests or just shake off the umbrella and remove dirty shoes. For a porch to function for all these purposes, a few key dimensions and configurations should be taken into consideration.
How Deep Should Your Porch Be?
When considering porch depth, 6 ft. (1.8 m) is a desirable depth but 8 ft. (2.4 m) is ideal. Many homes are built with shallower depths. A 4-ft. (1.2-m) depth behind the column, allows simple wooden rocking chairs and potted plants to face the street with just enough room to pass. To make shallower depths work, use smaller-scale furniture and fixtures that allow circulation and work with the architecture.
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When considering porch depth, 6 ft. (1.8 m) is a desirable depth but 8 ft. (2.4 m) is ideal. Many homes are built with shallower depths. A 4-ft. (1.2-m) depth behind the column, allows simple wooden rocking chairs and potted plants to face the street with just enough room to pass. To make shallower depths work, use smaller-scale furniture and fixtures that allow circulation and work with the architecture.
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Depth and Height of Steps
In most cases porches need steps to rise up from the ground level to the porch floor. While you can make them steeper, a rise (riser) of 6 in. (15 cm) and a run (tread) of 12 in. (30 cm) are well suited for most circumstances. Local codes may determine what is allowed in your area, so be sure to follow their rules.
Notice the two ascensions in this Craftsman house designed by
Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture. The steps to the right create a common gentle slope to the main porch, while the stone steps within the landscape at left maintain the rise and run less formally. For a rise of 36 in. (91 cm), consider that you will need a run of 5 ft. (1.5 m) to ascend six 6-inch steps with five 12-in. treads.
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In most cases porches need steps to rise up from the ground level to the porch floor. While you can make them steeper, a rise (riser) of 6 in. (15 cm) and a run (tread) of 12 in. (30 cm) are well suited for most circumstances. Local codes may determine what is allowed in your area, so be sure to follow their rules.
Notice the two ascensions in this Craftsman house designed by
Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture. The steps to the right create a common gentle slope to the main porch, while the stone steps within the landscape at left maintain the rise and run less formally. For a rise of 36 in. (91 cm), consider that you will need a run of 5 ft. (1.5 m) to ascend six 6-inch steps with five 12-in. treads.
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When Do You Need a Railing?
By most building codes, porches that are 30 in. (76 cm) or more above the ground require a guardrail, also called a railing. Even if the drop is less than 30 in. (76 cm), it may be desirable to have a railing depending on the design and how you use the space.
The height of the guardrail is now required to be 42 in. (107 cm) in many areas. It was 36 in. (91 cm)on single-family houses for many years, so your existing railing may be 36 in. (91 cm). You will need to meet the higher dimensions only if you are building new or replacing the one you have, with a permit.
Another regulation for required guardrails is that a 4-in. (10-cm) sphere must not be able to pass through any opening in the railing, for safety reasons.
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By most building codes, porches that are 30 in. (76 cm) or more above the ground require a guardrail, also called a railing. Even if the drop is less than 30 in. (76 cm), it may be desirable to have a railing depending on the design and how you use the space.
The height of the guardrail is now required to be 42 in. (107 cm) in many areas. It was 36 in. (91 cm)on single-family houses for many years, so your existing railing may be 36 in. (91 cm). You will need to meet the higher dimensions only if you are building new or replacing the one you have, with a permit.
Another regulation for required guardrails is that a 4-in. (10-cm) sphere must not be able to pass through any opening in the railing, for safety reasons.
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Other Porch Considerations
Proportion. You want to keep in mind how you will use the space and plan for furnishings that will provide for your porch activities, whether they are mostly for aesthetic or functional proposes.
This porch is approximately 8 ft. (2.1 m) deep and 12 ft. (3.7 m) wide. It is low enough to the ground to do without a railing. You will notice that the scale of the brick piers and the columns that rest upon them is diminutive, while the stone piers and tapered columns in the Craftsman house example are far more massive and heavy in appearance and require a much larger-scale porch.
Proportion. You want to keep in mind how you will use the space and plan for furnishings that will provide for your porch activities, whether they are mostly for aesthetic or functional proposes.
This porch is approximately 8 ft. (2.1 m) deep and 12 ft. (3.7 m) wide. It is low enough to the ground to do without a railing. You will notice that the scale of the brick piers and the columns that rest upon them is diminutive, while the stone piers and tapered columns in the Craftsman house example are far more massive and heavy in appearance and require a much larger-scale porch.
Details and materials. Small details can be important to the final appearance of a porch. The detail should be in scale to the house and the porch itself. The floor of a porch looks different with wide-plank wood decking than with concrete or tile.
Ceilings, as in this design can be finished in beadboard, and beadboard comes in numerous sizes. The board can be as narrow as 2 in. and as wide as 8 in., with the bead detail also varying.
The architecture of the main structure should dictate the type and detail of the columns. The railing can also vary greatly and be of several different types of material. Wood is just one, but you will find wrought iron, cable and steel, depending on the architecture.
Ceilings, as in this design can be finished in beadboard, and beadboard comes in numerous sizes. The board can be as narrow as 2 in. and as wide as 8 in., with the bead detail also varying.
The architecture of the main structure should dictate the type and detail of the columns. The railing can also vary greatly and be of several different types of material. Wood is just one, but you will find wrought iron, cable and steel, depending on the architecture.
Relationship to the road. One last consideration for a porch is its relationship to the street. The closer you are to the street, the more private a higher porch will feel. Conversely, if you are set far back from the street, having your porch spill directly onto a big lawn may be very comfortable.
This generous-scale design is somewhat close to the road but sits up high enough to have a sense of enclosure and protection from passing vehicles.
This generous-scale design is somewhat close to the road but sits up high enough to have a sense of enclosure and protection from passing vehicles.
Porch Design Ideas
Traditional. Traditional-style houses, such as farmhouses, classical-style houses and Craftsman houses, have porches as identifying characteristics of their designs.
Though proper detailing of classical architecture deserves volumes explaining it, the topic cannot be overlooked when considering porches on traditional-style houses. Proportion is key, and classical orders are entirely based on the relative scale of their parts. Spacing between columns as well as the detail of the column support and the area where the column transitions into the roof, known as the entablature, need careful and knowledgeable consideration.
This porch by Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture measures about 7 ft. (2.1 m) from the face of the columns to the walls of the house and wraps around two sides. The columns measure about 8 inches (20 cm) square and are 8 ft. (2.4 m) high with a classically referenced base and cap detail. Notice how the header or lintel, the beam that spans the columns and holds the roof rafters, is set to be centered on the top of the columns.
Traditional. Traditional-style houses, such as farmhouses, classical-style houses and Craftsman houses, have porches as identifying characteristics of their designs.
Though proper detailing of classical architecture deserves volumes explaining it, the topic cannot be overlooked when considering porches on traditional-style houses. Proportion is key, and classical orders are entirely based on the relative scale of their parts. Spacing between columns as well as the detail of the column support and the area where the column transitions into the roof, known as the entablature, need careful and knowledgeable consideration.
This porch by Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture measures about 7 ft. (2.1 m) from the face of the columns to the walls of the house and wraps around two sides. The columns measure about 8 inches (20 cm) square and are 8 ft. (2.4 m) high with a classically referenced base and cap detail. Notice how the header or lintel, the beam that spans the columns and holds the roof rafters, is set to be centered on the top of the columns.
Contemporary. Contemporary houses need not do without porches. Their execution is just different. Clean lines are maintained in this porch by Lloyd Architects with concrete steps, a decked platform landing and wooden platform porch. The scale suits the house and effortlessly provides the public-to-private transition.
Get more porch design ideas
Get more porch design ideas
Wraparound porches. Victorian-era houses are well known for their elaborately detailed porches, especially the wraparound, as seen in this example. These need to be a minimum of 6 ft. (2.1 m) deep, but 8 ft. (2.4 m) is more typical and functions better. You will also need plenty of breadth to have them appear correct.
Take note also that the porch roof’s eave line falls lower than the top of the windows of the main level of the house. Porch roofs placed too high can let in rain and lack the coverage that gives the area the protection that it needs.
Take note also that the porch roof’s eave line falls lower than the top of the windows of the main level of the house. Porch roofs placed too high can let in rain and lack the coverage that gives the area the protection that it needs.
This illustration shows what you can do with a 22-ft. (6.7-m) long porch that is 6 ft. (1.8 m) deep. Steps up to the porch are centered to the entrance door, and six posts creates five bays. In a symmetrical design like this, you’ll want odd numbers of spaces between posts, because the center acts as the entry point.
Your turn: We’d love to see your beautiful porch designs in the Comments.
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Your turn: We’d love to see your beautiful porch designs in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more ways to improve your home’s curb appeal
Find a pro for your home improvement or remodeling project
Shop for outdoor lounge furniture
The overall width of a porch varies depending on the scale of the house, the budget and the porch’s intended use. One goal should always be to maintain a clear and open area that helps to frame and highlight the entrance to the home.
This neo-shingle-style house by Country Club Homes has an entrance door 36 inches (91 centimeters) wide with 12- to 18-in. (30- to 46-cm) sidelights. Double columns spaced 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 meters) apart frame the entrance, which is 5 to 6 ft. (1.5 to 1.8 m) wide. Two more outset columns spaced slightly less far apart than the center width complete the porch’s breadth.