If you are interested in finding more about porch cost and you are wondering how much is to build one, the following guide will help move ahead with your project.
Building a porch extension is becoming an increasingly popular choice with homeowners looking for more space, experiencing a change of circumstances, or even just wanting to get a face-lift for the house.
Porches are typically small home extensions to the front of a property, although they can be much larger and built to the side or the rear of the property. They are simple structures consisting of only brick dwarf walls, columns, windows, and a door. They can be plastered or left as bare brick and usually have a light and an electric socket installed. So far, so good, but how about porch prices and the installation cost? Well, this is what this guide is about. So keep reading and let us know if you have any further questions.
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Solid Concrete Porches
Solid concrete porches are typically found in mid-20th century houses. They are usually low, with one or two steps, and not as large as the wood frame porches. They require no maintenance except for occasional cleaning. The only prohibitive factor is that solid concrete porches cost is very high, making it unfordable for many homeowners.
Wood Frame Porches
Wood-frame porches are easier to build and can also be done as a DIY project. They also require less maintenance, which the homeowner can also do. If you choose to go with a wooden frame porch, use treated wood and make sure that your floor is well sealed to prevent the wood from deteriorating quickly.
Building a concrete stem wall foundation for your porch takes advantage of both. A concrete stem wall foundation is a solid concrete wall or concrete block built at the bottom of your porch. It keeps the wood away from the groundwater. Seal your rod wall with a commercial waterproofing agent before building the porch deck.
How to choose the best porch for your home
The most suitable size for your porch will depend on the type of house and environment you live in. When considering your preferred design, the most important thing is to make sure your porch will complement the scale and style of the house and local area; otherwise, you may end up with an extension that looks too garish and uninviting. Here are a couple of quick pointers to make sure you choose the right porch for your home:
Open porches
Grand, country buildings and large, detached homes in suburban areas tend to be most suited to open or longer, decked porches to bridge the gap between lawn and home. If you are simply looking for an open porch that acts as a small gateway to the front door, stone columns provide an imposing and regal effect sure to impress visitors. Using timber for a wooden lattice design, on the other hand, offers a more homely and rustic feel that can combine with supporting brickwork at the base or climbing and trailing plants to compliment a garden.
A longer, more extensive porch is altogether different; these are generally built on raised decking with a wooden roof, providing protection from both sun and rain and perhaps even accommodating a small seating area. Open porches provide the perfect spot to get friendly with neighbors or simply relax and unwind in the outdoors. Look out for wood that is pest and rot-resistant, and make sure the color and style match the house’s overall aesthetics; even a larger porch can appear unattractive if it clashes with aspects of the main property.
Open porch cost: £600 -£800
Enclosed porches
Enclosed porches are better matched with smaller, terraced houses in tightly-knit urban areas or semi-detached buildings in busier, inner-city areas. A great advantage of an enclosed porch is that, unless you live in a listed building or conservation area, you will not generally need to get planning permission, so long as the extension does not exceed three m² in floor space or three meters in height. This should be confirmed with your Local Planning Authority, though.
Brickwork or uPVC with standard double glazing is the most appropriate porch material, offering added security to your home and letting in light and still trapping that much-needed warmth in the colder winter months; just be sure the shade and texture of the materials echo those of the house. Many find that this little extra space makes for a great storage facility for coats, shoes, hats, and umbrellas – keeping your hallway tidy and clutter-free! Depending on the gradient of your front garden, a step or two may also be necessary outdoor additions to the porch for ease of access.
Porch decoration
Finally, who can decorate your porch to match your own personal taste in home improvement. Flowers and plants really add a welcoming touch to those entering your home, as does a small lantern or light for practical purposes. For a bit of extra privacy, a low wall makes a great addition to a raised open porch, and a thin screen acts as the perfect insect repellent for when you want to enjoy the outdoors on a hot summer’s day. Little extras such as welcome mats and wind chimes will also really make your new porch feel like a part of your home.
Do I need planning permission for a porch?
You will need to obtain planning permission for your porch extension if the proposed porch will exceed three square meters in ground area, be more than three meters high, and distance less than two meters from the nearest boundary wall or public road.
If your house is a listed property, you will have to obtain what is known as Listed Building Consent before adding the porch to your home.
As long as the porch is separated from the house by an internal door and is not heated, it will not require building regulations certification. However, if you have electrics in it, you must either use a Part P registered electrician or have the job inspected by the building control department and pay their fee.
Benefits Of Building A Porch Extension?
There are many benefits of building a porch extension. The most important are:
- A high-quality porch helps make a good impression when you have any guests.
- You will enhance your entrance and make it look more appealing.
- You will make your home more energy-efficient by reducing heat loss in the winter.
- You create extra space for coats, shoes & umbrellas.
- Adding a porch to your home is one of the simplest and most economical ways to get extra space.
What is the typical size of a porch?
Thinking about the minimum size of the porch, it needs to protect from the weather. So, a good porch should extend at least 1.2 meters from the main door of your home. Consider 1.8 meters if you would like enough space to sit in it and 2.5 meters to 3 meters if you are thinking of placing a small table and chairs in it.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Porch?
The cost to build a 3 square meters porch with concrete floor, brick wall bottom half with partial glazing all around, a uPVC or composite door, and a tiled roof comes around to £1,100 – £1,200 per square meter. This means that the whole porch cost will be approximately £3,500.
How to estimate porch cost?
Once you have an idea of the overall size and design of the porch extension you wish to build, you will need to estimate the cost of building a porch. Some of the essential 
and typical building and construction services necessary to erect a new porch are included here, along with the prices. This will help you get an idea of how to estimate the porch cost based on its size and individual specifications.
Dwarf brickwork costs on average around £55 per square meter. This is a common choice for people who do not want to have fully glazed walls in their new porch but prefer a brick wall to waist height and then a glazed upper half.
Plastering costs, on average, between £15-£20 per square meter to finish the internal walls of the porch if required.
Lean-to style works out as the cheapest option at around £35 per square meter, while a porch with roofing in the Victorian or Edwardian style will cost around £55 per square meter and guttering at £15 per meter.
Flooring in your porch can vary from £12 – £18 per square meter for a wooden and laminate floor installation or £16-20 per square meter for carpet laying to £25 – £30 per square meter for standard floor tiling.
Painting costs start at around £14 per square meter.
There will be several factors that can affect exactly how much your new porch will cost. These factors are as follows:
- If the porch is fully enclosed or not.
- If it is partially or fully glazed on all sides.
- Type of wood cladding or external brickwork that is used.
- If it has a flat roof or a sloping tiled roof.
uPVC Porch Prices
There is a wide selection of uPVC porches available to choose from, which make a good choice for the front porches.
| Type | Size | Cost |
| Lean-To uPVC porches | 2-7 | £1,300 – £3,500+ |
| Full Height uPVC Lean-To Porches | 2-7 | £1,300 – £3,500+ |
| Flat GRP (Gable Roof Porch) Roof Porches | 2-7 | £2,800 – £4,100+ |
| Gable uPVC Roof Porches | 2-7 | £1,500 – £3,900+ |
| Edwardian uPVC Porches | 2-7 | £1,700 – £4,100+ |
Screened-in Porch Prices
The average cost of a screened-in porch starts from as little as £5,000. However, if you are looking for a more high-end porch, the cost could go up to £15,000.
Have you ever wanted to relax on a nice summer day without being exposed to all those outdoor nuisances? Do you ever have the desire to sit in a rocking chair and relax away the hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon, just like your grandparents did generations ago? Those who developed the concept of screened-in porches centuries ago for warmer climate regions of the country are starting to make a nostalgic reemergence that can be seen in every part of the world due to their historic charm and practical function.
Practical Protection
A screen porch lets you have a defense against outdoor elements, such as rain and sun exposure, while still creating an open-air feeling that allows for a nice open breezeway. Plus, you never have to worry about insect bites, citronella candles, or that vicious bug spray smell. It’s like having the benefits of the indoor world outside. Though screened porches aren’t fully tamper-proof, they give the home an added feeling of protection by locking storm doors and providing an additional layer of entry into the home. All these pragmatic features make these outdoor areas great for entertaining. They provide natural light, fresh air, and a casual outdoor atmosphere, yet they also remain cozy and safe from outdoor annoyances.
Versatility
Due to constant innovations over the years, screened-in porches can now be adaptable to fit your personal needs. With simple glass inserts, you can transform a screen porch into a sunroom, allowing you to use the area during cooler seasons. You can buy retractable screens to convert the enclosed space into a more traditional open-air deck. If you want to use this room during torrential rainstorms or on sun-scorching afternoons, simply install shades and window treatments over the porous screens. Plus, if your kids are having sleepovers and you don’t want them camping out in the backyard unattended, turn your screened porch into a sleeping porch. If the home doesn’t have the central air conditioning on hot nights, simply put down sleeping bags or cots in this area so the whole family can enjoy the cool breeze while they sleep.
Make It Part of the Home
Screened-in porches can raise the value of your home as long as you take the proper design steps to make it beautiful and comfortable. As you design this area, plan to blend it in with the rest of your house. There is nothing worse than an addition that looks like an addition. They can be an eyesore if they are improperly designed. So make these rooms as formal or rustic as you see fit. Remember, although screened-in porches have an old-world charm, they no longer have to be old-fashioned. Make them formal with elegant patio furniture that can withstand the outdoors. Create ventilation by installing ceiling fans.
Add trim work, durable hardwood floorings, or modern storm doors. In any case, make the place your own. If you don’t make it comfortable as you see fit, the space will waste. Try to think of your own inventions to make things as relaxing and tranquil as possible. Redefine the idea of a “screened-in porch” and transform this exterior area into an actual functional room that just happens to be located outside your house.
Sun porches
Many of us have an unused corner of the house that soon turns into a cluttered storage space. It’s too small to turn into a bedroom but is bigger than a closet; therefore, it ends up accumulating knick-knacks, a few storage bins, and maybe a piece of discarded furniture. Why let this space go to waste? One of the latest trends in renovation is utilizing every area of your house to make a more comfortable living space and add value to your home. A great way to re-create a small addition is by turning it into a sun porch.
Why choose a sun porch?
Sun porches have been around for centuries. They became popular in southern states because of year-round sunshine. Most were built out of necessity: those who needed a screened-in outdoor living area during the hot summer months without air conditioning. However, this trend soon became fashionable in the northern states: by turning screens into windows, one could enjoy the outdoors while huddled up against the winter weather. Nowadays, they can be found everywhere due to their new modern design mixed with their old-world charisma.
Versatility
By turning a mudroom or small alcove into a sun porch, a relaxing oasis is suddenly created. Imagine reading, napping, or watching TV on a hot summer’s day where you have the opportunity to be cool and comfortable inside, yet not feel guilty about missing the sunny day outside. Or it’s the dead of winter, and you are cozy, all wrapped up with blankets on your couch, but you still get to watch the snowfall and birds fly south. Watch the rain while staying dry. Be a part of nature without being bit by mosquitoes. It’s the best of both worlds, all year round.
The many uses of sun porches
But these outdoor-indoor living spaces don’t just have to be a quiet get-away. If you have a bigger space, turn this particular space into a den, a library, an office, or a dining space. Imagine doing work or paying bills while encased in a tranquil portico. Since these rooms are so enticing, make them a place where people have the chance to congregate and enjoy them. Enclose it entirely in glass and turn it into a make-shift greenhouse, someplace to store your plants during the winter months. Put in a portable fireplace, and all of a sudden, you have a sky lodge right in your home.
Sunporch prices
Sunporch prices typically start from around £10,000 for a frame-only option and go up to £70 000 for a complete solution. Compared to other extensions, their cost per m2 might seem higher as they are single rooms additions and therefore require less maintenance and are easier to manage.
Limitless Looks
Big or small? Hardwood or carpet? Do you want a sunroom, or do you want to keep it looking like a deck? Do you want it with screens or windows or both? Keep it open to the house or install some French doors? Open up the space by surrounding it with windows or have it be more shaded with fewer entryways and exits? Make it another functional room with tables, chairs, and window treatments, or decorate it with sparse furnishing to keep it calm and subtle? As you can see, the design and ambiance of a sun porch are limitless.
Seek professional advice
The only thing to pay attention to is your own style, and the best way to make your imagination into a reality is to hire a design consultant or architect. These professional builders will guide you during the project by being as hands-on as you want. If you have a smaller space, you may be able to do a lot yourself, but for bigger room, upper-level construction, or complete new additions, hire an expert who knows what they’re doing, especially since most of these rooms use a lot of glass and need proper support from trained specialists.
Wrap Around Porch
Wrap around porches is porches that “wrap around” the house, most commonly on two sides or around the entire home. Their popularity is easy to understand. Often associated with Southern or Caribbean architecture, these large, spacious home additions provide an inviting area to relax, put your feet up, socialize, and entertain. Furthermore, when built correctly, with function and design in mind, they add an air of tradition and elegance to any home.
Why choose a wrap-around porch?
Why choose a wrap-around porch? Because you’ll have more porch to enjoy. This answer may seem overly simple, but considering both the tradition and evolution of the American porch over the last hundred years, it’s clear why these porches are one of the most popular porch designs being built today.
The porch began its run in American architecture as a social place. This is an area to sit in your rocker, wave at passersby, and drink cold tea and lemonade with neighbors and loved ones. That’s why the porch’s initial location was at the front of the house. For better or worse, however, sometime in the mid 20th century, America’s porch priorities shifted from community to privacy, and the porch began its long journey to less conspicuous areas, primarily the backyard where a person could put up their feet, drink a cup of coffee and read a good book without being bothered.
Today’s homeowners want the best of both worlds: a porch that offers the promise of both community and privacy. The wrap-around porch fits the bill.
A Porch For the Entire Day
Another reason these porches are popular with homeowners is because they’re comfortable at any time of the day. Most porch owners see the porch as a place to get out of the sun and enjoy some downtime in the shade. Depending on the direction it faces, a front or back porch often sits in the sun for a substantial portion of the day. With a wrap-around porch, that is never the case. All you have to do is pick up shop, walk around the corner, and make yourself comfortable again, and you’re back in business. If you go with a full wrap-around design as opposed to two sides of the house, you also get the added benefit of enjoying two other top considerations for habitual porch sitters: the sunset and the sunrise.
Wrap Around Porch Design
When you plan your new wrap-around porch, there are several things you want to take into consideration to make sure it will be the perfect porch for your home. The first is where to place it. If your porch extends all the way around your home, this isn’t an issue, but if you go with a two-sided design, you’ll want to consider things such as views, sunsets, and privacy before you build. Make sure you’ve got enough space to enjoy your porch. You’ll want your porch to be at least 6 feet deep if you want to be comfortable in your rocker, and if you plan to set up a table and chairs for breakfasts or quiet evening meals, you’ll want to go even bigger at least 8 to10 feet wide.
Once you’ve decided on location and size, the rest is all up to your personal taste. Painting your porch an inviting color can create a pleasant mood and will protect it from the elements. There’s a whole slew of porch-specific building products such as specialty milled posts, columns, railings, and balustrades that will add character and beauty to the design.
Additions (extras)
Finally, think about adding some extras to make your porch even more inviting. Install electrical outlets for radios and laptops, lighting for summer nights, and even ceiling fans to make your porch enjoyable on even the hottest of days. And, of course, don’t forget the hammock. No porch is complete without it.
Because there are so many things to think about when designing and building these structures, it’s important to get in touch with an experienced contractor to help you plan and build your new porch. They will be able to advise you on everything from choosing a design to which materials to use, and their experience and building expertise will ensure that your new porch is built right so you can safely enjoy it for years to come.
Awnings
There are lots of ways we protect ourselves from the sun, wind, and rain. We wear sunglasses to save our eyes, hats to safeguard our heads, and visors to shield our faces. So why would we expect less for our house, the ultimate example of shelter from the storm? But even our house sometimes needs a little sheltering when it comes to the weather. Outside surfaces get damaged, faded, or sustain heat buildup due to unnecessary exposure to the elements, and these problems eventually spread to the homeowner as well. So to protect certain open areas of the exterior, you may want to invest in an awning to act as a screen against the climate.
What Goes Where?
Since there are so many awnings, they can literally cast a shadow anywhere on the home. So most often, they’re installed over open areas that can lead to harmful exposure. For instance, since we spend so much time on our porches, wouldn’t it be nice to sit outside without squinting or sweating. Why not eat breakfast on the balcony without risking sunburn? In fact, why let the rain stop you from barbecuing on the patio? But who can also put smaller awnings above windows and doorways?
Window panes soak up many suns and then transfer this solar energy into the home, which makes your AC run double-time. But a canopy can block this heat from the house as well as redirect rainwater from the foundation. And if you have a metal door, it can get scorching hot in the summer, which is not only inconvenient but dangerous. An awning above the entryway is a cheap and easy way to remove heat buildup.
Awning Types
They’re available in varying shapes and styles, and they can come in any pattern, color, or size, so take your time in selecting a model that best fits your exterior. But the next step is choosing a particular design. Here are a few basic awning types:
Stationary: A canopy permanently installed on the home’s exterior. It’s certainly sturdy and stable, but it can also collect snow and receive strong wind gusts. Therefore, hire an expert for installation to make sure it can endure the impact.
Portable: These transportable awnings are built for convenience. They’re freestanding and can easily be moved from one location to another to be used anywhere they’re needed. They can even be moved to follow the trajectory of the rising and setting sun.
Retractable: This is probably the most popular model; these awnings can be rolled or folded up when not in use. Therefore they provide the sturdiness of a stationary unit with out the threat of wind damage or snow buildup during inclement weather.
Motorized: These awnings use an electric mechanism to roll the canopy and can even be operated remotely to keep you out of the rain. They’re also available with sensors that monitor the weather, activating the unit when it’s sunny and retracting it when the wind picks up. You may have to hire an electrician for installation, but always make sure the unit has an automatic override so if the motor breaks, you can still hand crank it.
Types of Awning Material
The most popular material is canvas since it’s resilient and inexpensive. Plus, it’s flexible, which makes it great for retractable units. However, since it’s so elastic, it can sometimes become a basin for rain and snow, adding weight to the frame and creating a safety hazard. So have it installed by a professional who can ensure it is always stretched tight to avoid buildup.
Metal is another possible option. It’s strong and durable, but it’s also heavy and requires professional installation. Plus, it can sometimes absorb the sun’s heat and add to the heat transfer it’s trying to deflect. As for frames, you have to make sure they’re secure and sturdy, so often, steel or aluminum supports are used. But if you have a small canvas model, wood structures are sometimes employed though they may be better for indoor units than exterior models.
Porch Repair or Porch Replacement
If your porch has been damaged and you are planning to renew it, you have two options: i) porch repair or ii) porch replacement.
Porch Replacement Cost
The cost of porch replacement will be slightly higher than a new porch because before you start building a new one, you will have to remove the porch first. The cost of replacing an old porch is about £3,000 – £ 4,000.
Porch Repair Cost
It is a lot cheaper to repair the old porch than to replace it. However, before you do anything, you need to consult with an extension specialist about the required level of repair work. The average cost of repairing a porch will be about £50 per hour, and the basic work will take about 8 hours, equal to £400 per day.
Cost of adding extras to a new porch
With a rise in uPVC and more contemporary designs, there are various added extras you can choose to have installed with your new porch.
- uPVC front porch kits – these kits offer a small uPVC enclosure built on the front of your home. They provide storage space and add an extra element of security to the property. You should expect to pay close to £1,750 for the kit to be fully installed, including labor.
- Railings – railings are a useful feature to add when installing your porch if steps are leading up to the entrance of your home. For the elderly and people who struggle to tackle steps, railings are a good addition to consider. Stainless steel railings will cost between £170 and £200 to have installed.
Are there any additional costs to consider when installing a new porch?
Although it doesn’t apply to every porch, you might need planning permission to install a new porch. You will need to apply for planning permission from your local council’s planning department for a porch in the following circumstances:
- If the floor area of the porch is greater than three meters by two meters.
- If the height of the porch to be installed is above three meters.
- If there would be less than two meters between the porch and the nearest public footpath
As far as DIY projects go, installing a new porch isn’t the most budget-friendly option. However, if you do have the money, then make sure to shop around and find a qualified professional who will be able to deliver a high-quality porch to your specification at a price you can afford.
Porch Extension Quotes
When your project plans have been drawn up, and possible planning permission has been given, it will be time to find professional porch builders for your house extension project. Of course, you can take the DIY option, but in most cases, it is to your benefit to choose a professional porch builder. You will get guaranteed work for yourself and be satisfied with the quality of the labor.
It will also benefit if you get free porch extension quotes from at least 6-7 contractors and compare them as you will both get better quality and save on the overall porch costs. Remember that the cheapest offer you will get will not always be the best one for you! Ask your friends and relatives for recommendations for local porch contractors and try to search online for company websites using related search phrases such as a porch builder, porch builder company or professional extension builder, house extension company, including your location to get local recommendations. Web sites such as RatedPeople, Quotatis, and our network can help you get free no-obligation porch extension quotes, so do not hesitate to request from all of them as the more estimates you get, the better!!
References
http://www.diymyextension.co.uk/garage-conversion-new-porch/
https://www.realhomesmagazine.co.uk/advice/updating-your-homes-exterior-jobs-to-tackle/
http://householdquotes.co.uk/cost-of-adding-a-porch/
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/46/porches
https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/DocumentLibrary/Building/Leaflets/planning/frontextensions.pdf
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