Observing the Build

When designing your front porch, one decision you must make is the type of material. There are four main options when it comes to porch materials.

1. Concrete

Concrete is one of the more common options for a front porch. It can be cast in any shape and built to meet any necessary height or width requirements. Steps are formed right into the concrete, thus ensuring a durable one-piece porch. Concrete is typically chosen for porches because it is strong, long-lasting, and low maintenance. The drawbacks are that concrete can look a little drab and it can become dingy over time. You can counteract this by adding decorative finishes to the concrete and sealing it against stains.

2. Brick

Brick and paving block patios are usually a combination of brick and concrete. A porch base is made from concrete, and then bricks or paving blocks are mortared into place over the concrete base. The result is very attractive and durable. Brick porches will cost a bit more due to materials and extra labor, but the finished look can make the extra investment well worth it. Further, keep in mind that the mortar between bricks may need to be sealed or replaced periodically, but this is an infrequent maintenance need.

3. Wood 

Wood porches can be just big enough to create some space at the front door, or they can extend into a large deck or wrap-around porch. The key to building a long-lasting wood porch is to guard against rot. For this reason, pressure-treated wood or naturally rot-resistant wood, like redwood, is typically used for wood porch construction. Wood porches are fairly cost-effective but do expect to put in more work when it comes to maintenance. Wood porches should be cleaned and repainted every few years to further protect them against moisture and rot.

4. Vinyl

Vinyl or plastic porches are made from boards and panels that are designed to mimic the look and style of wood. For this reason, they are used to construct similar deck-style porches. You can find vinyl porch boards in a variety of colors, including those that look like real wood. The boards can be smooth or they may feature a wood texture. Vinyl is durable and it doesn't have the maintenance requirements of real wood, but it does require a larger upfront investment at installation.

Contact a porch builder contractor if you are ready to add a new porch to your home. 

For more information, contact porch builders near you.