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Original poster

Is a porch worth it?

24 replies

Dasher789 · 05/02/2022 02:35

We have got a very small porch/vestibule which has a very small cupboard in it. The cupboard cant be used for shoe storage as it has the electric fuse box and WiFi box etc sticking out the wall and its quite narrow. This means there is no storage in the porch, it feels very tight and ether we take shoes and coats off there and have nowhere to put them or a bench to sit on etc or we wear them into the house and render the porch a complete waste of space and a glorified hall. We are considering extending the porch. In my mind to the red line would be best as the outside doormat wouldn't protrude the whole house but in theory, we could go to the green. To the green would be roughly 2 x 1.5m. Firstly, do you think its worth adding this bit extra room? I feel it would allow us to leave all coats and shoes at the door which is a huge plus but iv been told a porch is a bad investment??

I have got a quote for £11k. It seems like a lot for such a small area but that's for a tiled roof and the render to match the rest of the house so I appreciate its a lot of work despite the footprint - if anyone else has done this, what did you pay? Does this seem reasonable?

Is a porch worth it?
OP posts:
dudsville · 05/02/2022 02:43

That does seem like a lot but I have no idea really. The one thing I wish our house had is a bigger entrance, but we have got space for a bench, shoe storage and a coat rail and over head hats and umbrella rack. If I didn't have this the I would want to invest in getting it. Is there an option to knock that inner wall down between vestibule and stairs so that there's more accessible wall space before the foot of your stairs to place a bench and coat rack?

RainbowMum11 · 05/02/2022 02:55

£11k more to go the green line instead of the red? That's crazy

Dougieowner · 05/02/2022 07:55

I love a decent sized porch and in our previous house we had the original one extended to give sufficient room to remove coats & shoes plus to store them, all without opening the internal door (important on cold or wet days).
Going to add a good sized one to our new house once we have settled in and decided on a design.

Is it a bad investment?
Don't know and I don't care, all I do know is that it makes the house a nicer place to live.

Didicat · 05/02/2022 08:17

Depends on how long you are planning to live their and how you value your investments - short term house want all the money repaid on sale - unlikely. Long term house, peace of mind, ease of use, helps to keep the house how you like it - worthwhile in non financial terms?

I have a porch, but we are side door people (in this house, due to where we park the cars) the cats use it as an escape/sun trap room in the summer.

Holidaypls2022 · 05/02/2022 08:26

We had a decent size porch added in 2019. I take it for granted now but it's amazing storage. We have a giant shoe rack and a shoe/bench/coat rack combo, plus another set of coat hooks. Couldn't be without it now. Not sure of exact cost as we had other work done but would say around £7/8k. But I believe cost of materials has gone up significantly since that time so £11k doesn't sound too ridiculous.

Original poster
Dasher789 · 05/02/2022 08:53

@RainbowMum11

£11k more to go the green line instead of the red? That's crazy
No, the whole extension would be £11k, prices to the green line
OP posts:
Original poster
Dasher789 · 05/02/2022 08:55

@holidaypls2022 thanks thats really helpful. Where are you roughly in the country and was the size of your extension similar? That sounds like exactly what I want!!

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 05/02/2022 08:55

Great for storage and keepibg heat in the house between the 2 front doors.our porch is quite cold and shows how much heat we are saving by having 2 front doors essentialy

Holidaypls2022 · 05/02/2022 13:57

@Dasher789
We are on the South Coast. I think ours is roughly 1.5 x 3m. As others have said too, if it benefits you and you're not moving any time soon, and you can afford it, then don't worry about the investment side. I doubt you'll regret it.

Ribb · 05/02/2022 14:23

I'd say go for it. You'll get personal value and the addition of storage is always a winner imp.
Our porch already existed and we considered making it larger too but we have a built in cupboard that can take all coats (family of 4), shoes on bottom & hats on a shelf, there is space for a good size shoe rack (about to change it for a built in one) as well as a bench to sit on. It's about 2.5m x 2m.....maybe a bit more (I just went to measure it for you 😂). I'd potentially make it bigger in the future but it's ok for now.

Ribb · 05/02/2022 14:24

Pic please @Holidaypls2022
Sounds special!

CellophaneFlower · 05/02/2022 18:32

I would do it and go to the green rather than red... I'm sure the doormat sticking out won't look out of place! Hard to say what would look best though, without seeing the actual style of your house.

If a space is really usable (like for coat/shoe storage) I don't think the size matters as much. My downstairs loo is in my porch and I'd absolutely love to relocate it so I could have a coat cupboard... however the money would be better spent elsewhere!

Holidaypls2022 · 05/02/2022 18:35

@Ribb ah dont know if it's particularly special but we're happy with it Smile. Before and after pics...v outing but never mind Grin

Is a porch worth it?
Is a porch worth it?
Floralnomad · 05/02/2022 18:41

@Holidaypls2022 that looks really nice . We have a very small porch and can’t really extend it without lots of aggravation otherwise I’d do it .

SwayingInTime · 05/02/2022 18:55

I am really jealous of my neighbour’s house shaped porch holiday, yours looks great and the extra bit at the side is really clever. I hate ours, the kids asked we we have a tiny conservatory when we moved in but that’s exactly what it is really!

Starseeking · 05/02/2022 19:51

Wow, that is a really good use of space for the porch @Holidaypls2022, it's making me want one lol

Original poster
Dasher789 · 05/02/2022 19:52

Thank you @holidaypls2022. We are going to call back Monday and go for it, it will make such a difference. Yours looks fantastic

OP posts:
Holidaypls2022 · 05/02/2022 21:02

Thank u guys. Am really pleased to have helped with your decision @Dasher789 Smile. It will make a difference.

coodawoodashooda · 05/02/2022 21:10

I would say in terms of your space it would be wonderful but if it would stretch your mortgage it wouldn't be worth it.

Ribb · 05/02/2022 22:19

@Holidaypls2022 I love it. Can tell its a really good space.
Equally outing but here's a butchers of mine. Few changes since but no updated pic.

Is a porch worth it?
coodawoodashooda · 05/02/2022 22:27

[quote Ribb]@Holidaypls2022 I love it. Can tell its a really good space.
Equally outing but here's a butchers of mine. Few changes since but no updated pic.[/quote]
That looks really nice.

Holidaypls2022 · 05/02/2022 22:33

@Ribb very nice, and great taste in door colour too Grin

Chasingsquirrels · 05/02/2022 22:33

I'd love a porch, just as a barrier to the outside; to stop the heat escaping when the door is opened; keep the dogs away from the post and visitors etc.
So I'd love the vestibule you already have.
I don't really think it's feasible for me as the front of my house already protrudes.

But if what you have doesn't really work for you, and you see being there as reasonably long term, then go for it.

Ribb · 05/02/2022 22:54

Lol @Holidaypls2022 just went back and peeps! Great taste!

@coodawoodashooda thank you Smile

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