Curb appeal is an important part of homeownership, as it helps provide an inviting, polished look to the front of your home. One way in which homeowners can spruce up their curb appeal is by updating their front porch deck. Whether you opt for a complex, larger front porch with a roof or more of a basic front porch design, building a front porch will draw attention to all the right places, creating curb appeal that adds classic character and functionality to your home.
As you consider building a front porch to boost the curb appeal of your home, you’ll likely have questions regarding this home project. Today, we’ll address the most common questions homeowners have when considering and executing front porch installation.
The short answer to this question is yes, but as with any project, check with your local building department to see if you need a permit or to get specifics on local building codes.
The type of front porch you’ll build for your home will depend on the house itself, as well as your design preferences and needs. Most front porches frame the front entryway, providing a grander entrance. Oftentimes, a house without an existing porch may have a basic stairwell entry to the front door and adding a porch to these homes creates more living space and potential shelter at the entryway.
There are some aspects to consider that should influence your front porch designs: weight load, grading slope, and soil composition. The slope and soil at the front of your house will determine the type of foundation you’ll need for your front porch, so it can support the weight load. It may be helpful to speak with a professional deck builder who knows the local soil composition and the local building codes. For more information, contact UglyDeck.com.
Yes, front porches, much like all decking, require sufficient support to hold the weight load of the structure, potential furniture, weather, and people. Depending on the factors discussed above, you may need to have deeper footings (i.e. the holes that are often filled with gravel and concrete that provide support to distribute the weight load) to ensure your front porch doesn’t sink or sag into the ground.
The foundation is the most crucial part of any structure. Foundations for front porches can vary from footings with support posts to poured slab concrete. The height of your entryway will likely determine which foundation is right for your home. A lower-to-the-ground front door may only require a front patio of poured slab concrete, while an elevated entryway may require footings to support front porch decking, completed with railings and stairs.
While this is perhaps the most common question, it’s not necessarily easy to answer because there are so many potential cost factors to consider:
While there are several factors that determine a front porch’s cost, the average cost of a 200-square-foot, professionally-installed deck is $10,500, according to HomeAdvisor.com. However, depending on the size, height and customization, your front porch can cost significantly more or less.
Yes, updating or adding a front porch will certainly add to the overall resale value of your home. According to HGTV, “Adding a 16×20 ft. pressure-treated wood deck with a simple pattern costs about $11,000. At resale, you’ll get about $10,000 of that back, a recoup rate of 90 percent.” It’s also important to note that the more personalized details you incorporate that may be uniquely functional and desirable to you will cost you money that you may not see a return on. There are three influencing factors that increase resale value:
By investing in these areas, you’re boosting your chances at a higher return on investment.
If you’re considering adding a front porch to your home, it may help to consult with a professional deck builder on front porch design ideas to improve curb appeal and boost the value of your home. At UglyDeck.com, our experienced team of Twin Cities deck contractors are here for you at any stage of the process, assisting customers from concept design to complete installation.
Visit one of our showrooms to see our materials in person and speak with one of our decking experts about your front porch design ideas, or you can browse our collection of railing styles and decking accessories for inspiration. When you’re ready to get started, contact us to receive a free consultation and estimate.
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