Front Porch Appeal - Porch News and Ideas for Porch Lovers

4th of July on Your Porch

Celebrating the 4th of July on your porch is always fun. We have a complete section of 4th of July porch decorating ideas to share with you, from home-made decorations to lemonade and lots in between. Get the kids involved in making decorations; it can be a fun summer project for the entire family.

Colorful 4th of July Porch - photo courtesy of Raised in Cotton

Westhaven Porchfest

Mary and I had a great time at Franklin, Tennessee's Westhaven Neighborhood Porchfest. What began in Ithaca, NY., a few years ago has caught on and spread across the country.

A porchfest is a neighborhood event where musicians playing a wide genre of music perform on front porches. Neighborhood folks and friends walk or ride around the area listening to great music, socialize to create a sense of community. It is fun for the whole family.

Band Angelica performing on the porch at Westhaven Porchfest

Spectators enjoying the day at Porchfest

See more photos and find a Porchfest near you!

Porch Windows

Want to convert your porch or screen porch to a three-season room? Or perhaps you would like to just block the wind and weather on a side or two.

Slideable porch windows make it and easy task. Because they are custom made, you can order them in almost any size and can be installed as a DIY project. You get the immediate benefit of both a screen window and a vinyl window to create a really pleasurable outdoor living area.

We encourage you to learn more about this product.

Screen Porch Windows

See our screen porch windows section for more details and options.

From the Porch Steps

Mary and I recently visited the memorials in Washington, D.C. We've been there several times over the years and never tire of the tributes to those who have sacrificed so much.

Freedom Is Not Free

We believe as we are about to again celebrate our independence from England that began the experiment called democracy, it is fitting we acknowledge that it comes with a cost. We should know by now that freedom is not free as is memorialized at the Korean War Memorial.





No matter the ongoing political rhetoric or shortcomings our country may have, it is still that "shining light on the hill" for many peoples of the world. The U.S. gives more in foreign aid, more in voluntary contributions of time and money, and more in medical supplies and assistance than any other country or countries in the world today.

Our military does more than fight; it stabilizes many parts of the world, brings humanitarian supplies to the needy, and stands as a symbol of strength for those countries that have none.

As we eat hot dogs and watch fireworks from our porches this 4th, Mary and I encourage everyone to give a moment of thought to just how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful land and of the sacrifices of so many that allow us to do so. Our country does not ask much of us from most of us. It is the least we can do.

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Sincerely from the porch steps,

Dave & Mary