By Dave and Mary

Front Porch Extension Ideas

Expand Your Porch for Added Outdoor Space

These front porch extension ideas can be used for nearly any porch size or design and fit most budgets. Mary and I discovered a wide variety of front porch extensions on our travels and we like how they provide extra space for entertaining and relaxing, not to mention the boost in curb appeal.


front porch extension using a patio area
Front porch extension idea: Add a patio area like you see above
Enlarging an existing covered porch, when feasible, is a matter of installing additional footers and foundation and then extending flooring, columns, railings if required, and a roof.

Often however, a front porch's depth cannot be extended due to setback requirements or structural issues.

In many locations, local building or zoning codes have set-back requirements prohibiting your home from extending closer than a specific distance to the road, which prevents extending your porch for more depth.

The architectural style or exterior design of a home can also often preclude extending the length of the existing porch.

But you have other options.

The home's style, featured below, precludes easily extending the existing porch structure. However, notice how the front porch extension with the pergola roof adds needed outdoor space.


pergola roof over front porch extension
Front porch extension with stand alone pergola style roof
Adding a seamless porch extension that is adjacent to, but not necessarily attached to the home or existing front porch, can also add lots of curb appeal as well.

We highly recommend checking with your local building codes department to determine specific requirements for your locale prior to any construction project.


Front Porch Extension Ideas Using Available Space

This two-story home is fairly typical of many homes today. The existing porch is small and not very usable.

Let us work some magic and show you what is possible without too much effort or cost. Not only will you increase your outdoor space but also create curb appeal. These options can be modified to fit almost any home.

We start with a rather small 4 foot by 8 foot front porch. Note the landscaped area to the left of the porch that is potential space for a porch extension.

two story home with small front porch
Two story home with a small front porch
The expandable area is 8 feet by 8 feet, large enough to accommodate several chairs and a small table, and pleasant for enjoying a morning cup of coffee. ***z-ad-bfc-336x280.shtml** Below is a rendering of a patio area constructed next to the front porch. Mary and I like to call these "patio porch extensions".


two story home with small front porch
Patio porch extension
To make this space appear larger, replicate the same type flooring as the existing porch. In some cases, you may have to build a step up or down depending on your specific topography.

For more privacy, opt for taller growing shrubs or bushes in the front or on the side depending on your desires. Patio porches can be easily integrated into your existing landscaping, are economical to build, and can be configured how you like.

L-shaped homes or homes with alcoves offer challenges when constructing a traditional porch, due to existing roof design. A patio porch may be an excellent option as it does not need a roof, yet it provides extra outdoor living space.


Front Porch Extension Idea with Pergola Roof

We take the same porch extension and now add an attached pergola style roof. To support the roof, an additional column identical to the existing porch columns was added. The pergola some shade and adds a touch more appeal to the home.

Usually, a pergola roof does not have to meet specific slope requirements, making them compatible on most porch extensions. You also have the option of a stand-alone pergola roof by installing columns to support the structure.


two story home with small front porch
Front porch extension with an attached pergola roof


Front Porch Extension Idea with Shingled Porch Roof

This is the same porch but now shown with an extended porch roof attached to the home's roof, maintaining the required slope.


two story home with porch extension and integrated roof
Front porch extension with a roof extension


More Front Porch Extension Ideas

Patios, in general, are constructed at ground level, but in some cases, a raised patio extension may be a more viable option.

Extending your existing porch with an adjacent patio area at the same level increases your outdoor living space and can make adequate room for furniture and other amenities.

Depending on the height of the patio floor, you have several options upon which to build. Concrete is perhaps the most common, but we discovered another option described below you might consider.

Be aware; however, that you may need to install a balustrade (porch railings) if the floor is 30 inches or more above the ground. Check with your local building codes departments for the requirements in your specific area.

The home below is a good example of a patio porch extension that is raised to meet the existing porch floor height. Note how the same brick flooring creates a more cohesive look.


front porch extension with pergola roof
Home with an attached front porch extension covered with a pergola roof and extended brick flooring


Another Porch Flooring Option

Thanks to deck construction innovation, you now have the option of covering a deck-like frame with materials other than wood. Products like Silca System® grate inserts like those shown below can easily transform a wooden porch foundation into a beautiful porch floor.

By using specially designed grates that fit between deck joists, you can use stone, slate, brick, or a number of other materials as your raised patio flooring in lieu of wood or constructing a platform for concrete. You can even use the grate system to create porch steps.

The grate system opens up many different design options you otherwise would not be able to use. You can now easily use them to extend your porch in lieu of stepping down to a patio area.

Silca System® grate system
Silca System® Grates


Silca System® deck flooring
Brick Pavers Over Silca System® Grates
See more Silca System® decking ideas.



Covering your porch extension with a pergola can allow you to hang a porch swing! Below is a good example of a stand-alone pergola over a patio area adjacent to the front porch.


front porch extension using patio and pergola
Front porch extension using a patio and pergola roof
Below is an L-shaped home with a patio porch with room to relax and entertain.

pato porch on l-shaped home
Patio porch extensions work well on L-shaped homes
Integrating your porch extension into your landscaping makes for an easy transition and definitely lots of curb appeal as shown below.

pato porch on l-shaped home
Porch extension patio area makes an inviting entrance


Front Porch Construction Pros and Cons

Extensions, especially patio porches, can be:
  • Less expensive to build and maintain over time
  • As large or small as desired
  • Constructed from a variety of materials or combination of materials
  • Used to create curb appeal while simultaneously creating outdoor space
  • Built at ground level or elevated
  • Easily integrated into landscaping or hard scaping
  • Designed to accommodate a porch roof at a later date if desired
  • Used to overcome setback requirements in some locations (check with local building codes department)


Patio porches do not:
  • Protect you from the weather (unless a solid roof is installed)
  • Necessarily add monetary value to your home



A front porch extension need not be expensive to add additional outdoor living space.

For more front porch extension ideas see our Patio Porch section.






Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.

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Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.
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The Porch Store

Use the PCA Visualizer to design your screen door

Shop for Porch Parts at Vintage Woodworks.

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At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
We, Front Porch Ideas and More, confirm, as stated on our privacy policy, that we do not sell personal information.

All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.


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