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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Would an American style front porch look odd on a UK house?

38 replies

virgil · 25/03/2012 20:55

I'm toying with the idea of an American style front porch since my house is a bit boxy. Do you think it would look odd? Not sure I've ever seen one in this country

OP posts:

discrete · 25/03/2012 20:57

Can you get planning permission for that?

MrsMeaner · 25/03/2012 20:59

Would you sit out on it?

Original poster

virgil · 25/03/2012 21:06

Not sure it would need planning permission but would of course need to check. We probably would sit on it. We live in the middle of a wood and nobody else can see the house. The house is on a Hill and so would look out over the woods

OP posts:

Rhubarbgarden · 26/03/2012 19:46

Sounds lovely!

Original poster

virgil · 26/03/2012 21:11

I think so rhubarb but then on the other hand I'm a bit concerned that it will seem odd on a uk house because we tend to sit at the back of our houses rather than the front. Not that it matters I guess unless we need to sell the house which we don't at the moment. I think I've spent too long looking at pictures of beautiful american houses on houzz

OP posts:

discrete · 28/03/2012 19:36

But if the house is in the middle of a wood it doesn't matter whether it's the front or back, does it?

What is the aspect of the front? If it's north I doubt you would sit in it that often in the UK climate, if it's south I would worry a wee bit about losing warmth (the porch ill shade that side of the house)

oreocrumbs · 28/03/2012 22:36

I've seen a few on houses in my area. On the sea front the big victorian houses have them, and also some of the posh retired miners cottages have them. Quite a few of these houses have the 'pretty' garden at the front and a basic yard at the back. Maybe its a northern thing, but I don't think its ever struck me as odd when I've seen it.

In your setting I think it would be lovely.

typicalvirgo · 29/03/2012 09:34

Agree with oreo, whenever i have seen something you describe they have looked wonderful and I would love to have one.

They might look a bit odd on a 10 year old Barrett box though

Whatafuzzfoot · 29/03/2012 14:52

Can you link an image of the kind of thing you are thinking? (sorry i cant really picture it in my head!) and what kind of style house do you have?

LittleJennyRobyn · 29/03/2012 15:55

I also dont think it's so odd in the uk.

I would a love porch with verranda along the front,our house could carry it off as it sort of looks american style but it would work well with alot of house styles i reckon...... Might look a bit daft on a mid terrace though!

And from your setting i would definitly go for it!

Flatbread · 29/03/2012 21:20

I love porches! I imagine someone sitting on a rocking chair with wine, and a dog . Like someone said, if it is south or west facing it would be a lovely place to sit and enjoy the weather.

Original poster

virgil · 29/03/2012 22:59

Think I've managed to put a photo of the house onto my profile ( but couldn't guarantee that it's worked!)

OP posts:

oreocrumbs · 29/03/2012 23:05

'Tis not there! It says you have not made your pics public yet.

To be fair I have no idea how to do it, but I thought I would point it out as I'm nosey interested

Original poster

virgil · 29/03/2012 23:08

Visible now?

OP posts:

Flatbread · 29/03/2012 23:09

Nope, not yet

Original poster

virgil · 29/03/2012 23:12

Right surely it must be now?!

OP posts:

Flatbread · 29/03/2012 23:12

ok, i see it now. Think a porch would look lovely.

Flatbread · 29/03/2012 23:14

You would probably need a really good architect to draw it up so the proportions are right to complement your gorgeous house

Original poster

virgil · 29/03/2012 23:18

thanks flatbread. I love it. I do think it's a bit boxy though, do you agree? It needs something to break it up a bit. The house has been repainted since this photo and the shutters and doors are now that greyish green colour plus we've put some big planters outside but it still feels a bit plain.

OP posts:

stressheaderic · 29/03/2012 23:28

Well, I live in a 3-bed ex-council house which gets the sun all day in the front (where we have lovely flat lawn and flowers) and none at the back (where we have scrubby grass on a steep downward slope). So we sit out in the front!

Disclaimer - we have a high-ish fence and it's a very quiet street so it doesn't look too weird.

Your house is lovely - go for it, I say.

oreocrumbs · 29/03/2012 23:28

I'm back ... did I miss the grand unveiling?

Wow, beautiful house!! It will look stunning!

I don't think it looks boxy, but I think there is plenty of scope to dress it up with a porch and have it look like it was meant to be there. Ooh you could do some lovely things with a porch on there.

Agree get a good architect who can really bring it to life, and go full throttle. You must have one of those swing chairs on it so you can drink all day in the evening

echt · 30/03/2012 07:19

What a lovely house. We have balcony outside the master bedroom, the epitome of chic in theses parts, but do we use it? Nah. A porch/verandah would be far more used.

Go for it, virgil.

Second the daylong drinkies.

discrete · 30/03/2012 19:59

I think a porch would look lovely on that house. With beautiful wisterias climbing on it....

cosypenguins · 29/12/2015 23:34

did you get the porch?

cosypenguins · 29/12/2015 23:35

did you get the porch added to your house and how much do you use it?

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