Porch- how useful

[Mel338a]

We've been considering adding a porch to the front of our property. Can i ask how you use your porch, and whether you consider it worth the money (c£6k.).

We are a family of 4 in a 3 bed semi-detached. Quite sporty, but have a garage and a large shed, so bikes etc kept in these. Often use the back doors to the house rather than the front to avoid trailling muddy kit through the house.

Porches are good for:

• insulation
• parcels
• muddy shoes
• staying dry

I’m Australian. Verandas are the best thing. If you always use the back door, why don’t you do one there? Grotty shoes, jackets etc. Barbecue, tables, chairs, washing line, All sorts.

@TeenMinusTests

Porches are good for:

• insulation
• parcels
• muddy shoes
• staying dry

This. Ours is a dumping ground for shoes and mail/parcels until I get fed up every few weeks and clear it all. Then we start again. The house had a porch when we bought it and I definitely wouldn't spend £6k having one built if it wasn't already here but I guess that totally depends on your budget and priorities for the house.

I would have a porch at the back rather than the front so as not to spoil the look of your house as most bolt on porches distract from the aesthetics of the house.

We use ours for muddy boots / dog towels etc but only because it was on the house when we moved in. I'm not sure how likely we would be to add one if it wasn't already there as, like you, we would use the back door.

OTOH you could make it pretty rather than functional. Add plants, a nice sideboard / cupboard etc. I have all my bird seed, fat balls etc in large glass Kilner jars which pleases me immensely.