Creating a Front Porch

by Charlene
(Winter Haven,FL)

QUESTION:My husband and I noticed that our front door takes a beating when it rains and we fear it is going to start rotting after a short time. We need a way to protect our front door from water damage. I would rather have something permanent rather than an awning.

ANSWER: Charlene, thanks for writing. My father managed a hotel in Winter Haven when I was a child.

From what I can see from the photo you have an ideal situation for a porch expansion. I would extend the gable (the roof area to the left of the front door - it looks like an inverted "V") along with the existing roof over the door to be adjacent (or in line with) your garage roof. That will give you a front porch you can use to sit on and enjoy and protect your front door too!

I'd opt for square columns. You don't need a balustrade but it would be charming on your home.

For more appeal, I'd move the side walk toward the street about 2-3 feet to allow for plantings in front of your new porch!

Another option is just to extend the existing roof over your door out a few feet to match the roof line to the right of your door. You'd just need on column (I'd opt for square or rectangular) to support the additional roof. That should give you sufficient coverage from the weather.

Let me know your thoughts,

Hope this helps,

Dave