You all are GREAT with your suggestions and I want to send a BIG 'THANKS' to all of you who take the time to respond. So now let me ask this question...
Our house has a gabled roof with our front/back doors on the NON-gabled sides, (the long sides). There are several steps going up from the driveway to the front door. We are planning to replace the concrete slab and steps and build a roof OVER the porch, but have difficulty envisioning how this would look with our current roof; how to 'tie it in' with our current roof, so to speak.
We have driven through neighborhoods to look at different porches, but, with the price of gas 'going through the roof!' ,we'd like to just now look online for some styles that would match our house style.
Where is the best place to search? I've looked and looked, but they either just show the porch by itself, or instructions on how to build it.
Is there a website where we can send a photo or sketch of our house and get something back with porch ideas?
They have a computer program that will 'build' your porch, (giving detailed instructions), and may even be able to do this with your home in it also... (They had plans for my home and I eventually modified those to fit my own needs as thiers was a bit excessive to my taste).
I know there are some garden programs that you can incorporate the picture of your home in, but, I am guessing that any home center or lumber place with a computer will have a program that may also have that capability.
Some years ago I made such a change in a house that I owned, It dramatically changed the appearance. I unfortunately do not have pictures. However, below is a simple drawing of how it may look. The columns for the porch roof can become brick columns quite easily. In addition, increasing the depth of the porch provides a seating area which would add curb appeal and comfort.
Thanks, Menace...I'll check out Lowe's online, because we're about 40 miles from the nearest one.
And Simple Me...Thanks for going to all that detail. Actually, our porch will not be on the gabled side as yours is, but on the longer side. I do want it wide enough to sit on, though. I have some old metal lawn chairs that rock and I want to put them out there. It will be nice to sit out in the shade!
You seem to misunderstand the drawing. The drawing shows how an addition of a porch roof might look added to you ranch style house and there are 2 views of the addition, one top view and one front view. The addition of the porch roof on the front of your home as a gable roof with the same pitch and with a hegagon vent positioned on it's face can change the character of the front of your home especially if it ties in with the window placement and landscape of your home.
Sorry about that, now I see it. Thanks for doing that. It's basically what we want, but now just trying to figure out how to make the steps, whether we want concrete steps or composite. The main floor, to the front door, is actually 14 steps up from our driveway. There are 5 steps lower, then a pad, turn to the right, then 9 more steps up to the current porch. The 5 bottom steps go between a rock wall and flower beds on either side and there are no handrails on those.
Thanks, again, for helping me decipher your well-drawn plans!
It sounds as though the steps at the driveway are close to house for access. Consider moving them further from the house so you have 3 steps a flat transition, 3 more steps a flat transition and the remaining 3 steps. You may also relocate the steps so there is a curve to the walkway and add retaining walls if need be or terrace gardens along side. This would add interest and curb appeal to the entry to your home.
Something to consider.
Good Luck!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Simply Me,
,we'd like to just now look online for some styles that would match our house style.
