The general appearance of its facade largely depends on how harmoniously and beautifully the porch of a country house will be decorated. Street stairs in the country can be made from a variety of materials - poured from concrete, welded from metal or assembled from wood.
Basically, depending on this, the methods of decorating them are chosen. Of course, the design features of the exterior of the building must also be taken into account. About what the design of the porch should be, and we'll talk in this article.
Porch exterior and interior design
Country porches can have a very different design, and, accordingly, a very different design. Sometimes it is a small ladder several steps in front of the house. Sometimes - part of a large veranda or even a terrace encircling the building. The design style of the porch, as already mentioned, directly depends on the design style of the building itself:
What should be the design style of a beautiful outdoor staircase
The porch design of a luxury private home with a modern style design is often done using materials such as glass, plastic and chromed metal. Street stairs of cottages in a classic style are usually decorated with tiles. Sometimes forging is also used as decoration. The houses, with a country style design, are often complemented by beautiful wooden carved staircases.
Beautiful porch of a private house. Photo of a wooden carved structure with columns
The design of the porch of a wooden house, in the event that it is necessary to preserve the natural structure of the wood, is carried out using a special transparent oil instead of paint.
Original design ideas
Beautiful wooden porch. Photo of the construction, complemented by a stone parapet and flowers
In the design of this porch of the cottage, it was possible to successfully combine wood and natural stone. The modern lantern present in the decoration of the parapet only emphasizes the naturalness and extraordinary beauty of seemingly simple materials.
The original unusual design of the stairs made of concrete:
Brick house porch design. Photo of a beautiful radial design
The design of this small street staircase, despite the absence of railings and all sorts of design frills, is very elegant and at the same time strict. The architecture of the march itself is interesting here, and in particular the unusual shape of the steps.
In general, when choosing a design for a porch near the house, you just need to show a little imagination:
A beautiful porch of a private house can be decorated in different ways. Any outdoor staircase provides its owner with the widest field for the manifestation of imagination during the design.
How to decorate an outdoor staircase. Porch decoration
Arrangement of a porch in a private house. Step design
The steps of a concrete staircase are most often lined with ceramics and stone (natural or artificial). This design option for the porch of a concrete or brick building is just perfect. Treads when choosing such a design should be trimmed with beautiful rough tiles without a relief pattern.
Interesting design of the porch of a village house. The pattern of facing tiles repeats the pattern of paving
A beautiful porch of a wooden house can also be decorated in different ways. Most cottage owners still prefer not to hide the natural structure of this material. The steps of beautiful wooden street stairs are most often simply coated with special oil.
How to decorate the porch of the house. Photo of the process of processing the upper platform with oil
The painted wood entry porch steps also look good. For example, stairs look very elegant, with alternating colors. In this case, the design is performed using usually dark shades. Light colors are used in design for the most part only when required by the design style of the building itself.
Note: White stair steps are very harmoniously combined with either white railings or parapets, if dark gray stone is present in their design.
A beautiful white porch that harmoniously complements the exterior of the Scandinavian-style building
Very interesting is also such a way of decorating wood as firing.
The steps of the metal staircase of a private house are most often sheathed with wood. However, sometimes they can also be made from sheet metal.
Beautiful porch of a brick house. Photo design with metal steps
This option is quite aesthetic, but when decorating a high steep porch, it is better not to use it. Wet or icy metal can be quite slippery.
How to build a beautiful original staircase. railing design
The question of how to decorate the porch of the house comes down, among other things, to how to arrange its railing. Often this element becomes a real "highlight" of the design of the stairs. If desired, both vertical balusters and horizontal crossbars of an interesting beautiful shape can be used in their design.
How to decorate the porch of the house. Photo of an option with balusters of an interesting shape
Sometimes they are replaced with artistic filling. It can be openwork forging or beautiful through wood carving. Of course, such a design for modern-style concrete buildings is hardly suitable. In their design, it is better to use balusters or crossbars of a simple cylindrical shape made of galvanized steel.
Beautiful wings. Photo options with forged and galvanized railings
Handrail railings are most often made of wood or plastic. The first option is more suitable for the design of stairs of a chopped, cobbled or framed village building. Making the porch of a concrete or brick country house is often done using plastic. The handrails made of it look very good in combination with the galvanized metal parts of the street stairs. The porch railings of modern stone buildings can also be solid beautiful monolithic concrete or brick structures. In the first case, they are usually decorated with the same tile or stone as the steps.
Decoration of the porch in the country. Photo of a monolithic structure with steps and railings lined with granite
The parapets of the stairs of brick buildings can be laid out of beautiful facing bricks of different shades or from ordinary ones. In the latter case, their surface is often plastered.
How to decorate the porch of the house. Photo of the original street staircase with clinker steps and a facing brick parapet
How to make a beautiful design of a visor
The canopy can be attached either directly to the wall above the entrance, or rest on the elongated supports of the country porch. The design of the canopies on the poles usually follows the design of the railing. The visor itself is most often made of profiled sheet, wood or polycarbonate.
Photo of a simple design visor made of metal tiles
A beautiful porch to a wooden house, the design of which should be developed taking into account the exterior features of such buildings, is often complemented by a canopy sheathed with a board. The latter can be carved or painted. Canopies of street stairs of concrete and brick houses are usually made either from profiled sheet, or from translucent white or colored polycarbonate.
Arrangement of the porch of the cottage. Polycarbonate forged visor with an interesting shape
Wooden canopies can have not only a gable or single slope, but also an arched or even a domed shape.
Canopy porch design. Photo of a street staircase with a gable canopy
As for the shape itself, it is chosen based on the design features of the roof. So in combination with a shed roof, a shed canopy will look good. Beautiful triangular canopies "houses", as well as arched structures, are suitable for gable roofs. A hipped roof will harmoniously look with a round domed or hipped hipped visor.
Original design ideas for steps, railings and visors
The structural elements of the porches of private houses can often be quite unusual. Look, for example, at this design:
Unusual beautiful construction in the Russian style with steps made of logs
It's certainly not a porch. But who prevents lovers of everything original and unusual from making the steps of a wooden street staircase near the house from wide logs. A march with such a design, made by hand, will turn out both beautiful and inexpensive.
Combining polycarbonate and forged or cast metal, you can make a visor over the porch of a very interesting, beautiful and unusual design:
Original porch with a canopy made of polycarbonate and forged elements
The design of the porch railing is also very unusual. The owners of one of the log houses decided to make their design so beautiful and original:
Very unusual design of the porch of a private house. Photo of a structure with a railing made of snags
Agree, a very original decoration.
When drawing up a design project for a beautiful porch of a wooden or concrete house, consider factors such as the design features of the interior and exterior of the building itself, the material for the manufacture of steps, handrails and canopy, the design features of the yard, and also be guided by your own ideas about harmony and beauty. And then you will get not just a staircase at the entrance, but a real decoration of the facade, harmonious and stylish.
Beautiful design of the porch of the house, photo of the originally designed porch with a canopy, with columns, with a veranda, tips on how to choose decor and decorate the porch with flowers
Details about the design of the porch of a private house: the choice of architecture, decor, style. Photo examples of how you can make a beautiful porch with your own hands, as well as
Beautiful decoration of the porch of a private house with your own hands
Practical, beautiful and functional design of the entrance group is comfort and hospitality. Without a doubt, the dominant feature in this architectural ensemble is the porch. Therefore, arranging a porch in a private house is a paramount task, and in the article we will tell you how to make the entrance beautiful and original with your own hands, what decor is best to use, what the overall design and design of the extension should be based on.
And, of course, we will present a lot of photo ideas that will help you decide on the interior design and find interesting design options for the porch of the house.
The main tasks of the porch design
The architecture of the porch contains several elements: a canopy or canopy protects the building from precipitation, the railing serves for safety, the platform is an additional functional space outside the door of the house, and the stairs to the platform (steps) provide a convenient entrance. Taken together, these details should form a single beautiful composition that not only echoes the stylistic design of the main building, but also harmoniously connects it with the landscape of the site, and decorates the house.
A crossover combination of design elements, here the geometry of the porch intersects with the broken lines of the multi-gable roof, balancing complex shapes
The actual question is how to properly combine these architectural elements into a beautiful overall picture, where every design detail will complement each other, creating an impeccable exterior of the house. In addition, the design of the porch should be not only beautiful, but also rational, at the same time, the design should meet all the aesthetic needs of the owners of a private house.
The porch and the house are made in different styles and from different materials, but the design elements of the entrance group and the frames around the perimeter are painted in the same color, which decorates the composition and creates a single harmonious picture, in addition, graphics appeared in the design
Design starting points
First of all, you should decide whether the design of the porch of a country house will be made in the same direction as the main building, or the interior of the porch will be in its own style, and a number of connecting details will need to be thought out to combine the structures.
The porch and facade of the house are made in the same style, monochrome painting enhances the effect of the integrity of the structure, beautiful plants placed throughout the extension not only decorate the entrance, but also unite the garden and the building
There is another solution - the design of the porch can overlap with the design of the site. With the competent implementation of this idea, it seems that the courtyard and the house are indivisible parts of a single structure. Below is the design of the porch of a private house, the photo demonstrates well how to “disguise” the extension under the landscape.
Porch of a private house, photo, how to beautifully decorate an extension under an alpine hill, this design turns the entrance to the house into a continuation of the landscape
It should be noted that there is a belief that the materials for decorating a beautiful porch should be identical to the materials from which the house is built. It is by this method that the porches of a village house in the Russian style are attached. In other words, the porch of a wooden house must be built of wood.
A beautiful porch of a wooden house, built in the Russian style, such high outbuildings are typical of snowy regions
But this stereotype is easy to break, just look at the beautiful examples of how to decorate the porch of the house, the photo below very clearly demonstrates that one common detail in the design is enough for harmony to appear in the exterior.
The beautiful design of the porch of a private house made of bricks, the framing of the doors and the columns are painted in the same color, and although the materials are completely different, the concrete extension, lined with stone and tiles, harmoniously fits into the design
I would like to draw the attention of readers to another interesting and very effective design solution for decorating a beautiful entrance group. The image below shows a beautiful wooden porch. The photo very clearly conveys how visually the architecture of the building can be lightened.
A heavy house made of rounded logs, a massive roof, and all this is neatly “diluted” with beautiful, openwork and light railings in simple lines. Here, supporting vertical pillars play a huge connecting role in the design, in their shape, as it were, the contours of the beam and finer details intersect. I would also like to emphasize that the diagonal lattice of the railing and the rounded lines of the balusters balance the strict horizontal lines of the facade and the sides of the porch.
The right combination of wooden details in the design of the porch, competent design allows you to create the effect of delicacy and airiness of the structure even without beautiful and exquisite cutting.
Another example of design, how to combine heavy materials in the design, but at the same time preserve the lightness, beauty and airiness of the architectural ensemble, is a combination of stone, chipped brick and forged elements. The following is a beautiful design of a porch with a canopy, the photo illustrates well how “brutal” materials are correctly arranged. It would seem that stone and metal are always difficult, but the beautiful, delicate forging pattern and the transparency of the polycarbonate canopy destroyed the impression of heaviness.
Porch design decorated with beautiful openwork metal elements
And now look at an example of a different design of the porch, a combination of the same materials, but the railing and the canopy frame are made of thicker rods, and the pattern is more dense. Thin twisted columns replaced massive columns, a heavy canopy appeared. The effect of such a design turned out to be radically opposite.
The combination in the design of the same materials in different proportions creates a completely opposite picture.
Simple and tasteful design
We have already mentioned that the beautiful design of the entrance architectural group is most often carried out in the same stylistic direction as the exterior of the main building. But even here there are design techniques that allow you to fit the porch into the overall picture as harmoniously as possible.
A simple option on how to decorate a beautiful porch of a private house
The easiest way to build a cottage porch so that it does not stand out from the overall design concept is to paint the elements in the same color, or use the same geometric shapes in the design. If you look at the photo of the finishing of the plastered building, you can clearly see how these techniques work together. In addition to the fact that the wooden elements are painted in the same way, we can see a diagonal intersection on the railing, the same finishing method is repeated in the roof front sheathing, and on the shutters.
How to decorate a bulky corner porch, in this design, the railing serves not only as a functional fence, but also as a decor for decorating an extension
Another, no less effective way, how to equip a porch with a canopy, and not disturb the general appearance of the facade of the house, is to literally “dissolve” the elements of the extension in the details of the facade decoration. Pay attention to the design of the porch of a brick house, the photo of which we presented above. The gray concrete steps almost merged with the basement of the house, and the canopy repeats the curly brickwork, the layers of which protrude from the common vertical plane. Against the general background of a bulky design, metal railings look like beautiful, elegant lace, which gives the entrance group originality and sophistication.
Beautiful lining and patterns on the porch and windows can be ordered according to an individual design, or you can buy ready-made ones.
The entrance group and the windows of the building are decorated in the same style - this is a somewhat costly, but effective way to break the geometry and space. Here I would like to note that this design is able to change the appearance of the building beyond recognition. If you carefully examine the photo, you will see that the base is a very nondescript building, of a simple shape, sheathed in imitation timber, not a hint of individuality. Beautiful wooden finishes with columns and simple carvings radically change the look of the house, with the help of beautiful finishes expressiveness appears in the appearance - this is a clear indication of how important the design of the porch is.
Beautiful design of the porch of a village house, here the steps form the geometry of the building, balances the massive mansard roof
beautiful porch interior
Next, let's take a closer look at how to create a beautiful porch interior design. We talked about how the combination of shape, materials and size affects the overall design of the architectural composition, and in this section we will pay attention to color, textures, furniture and details that give the structure an individual and complete look, and are responsible for the comfort and coziness of the extension.
Beautiful and extraordinary design of the entrance group
The combination of different textures in the design of the design allows you to achieve sometimes unexpected effects in the interior. For example, in the photo above, the entrance is interestingly beaten. The sidewalk path smoothly turns into solid massive brick railings, which unexpectedly find their continuation in wooden baluster railings, and they, in turn, already connect the porch with the house. There are beautiful lanterns on the round pedestals, a lawn rug on the top platform, a riot of greenery on the sides of the structure, these details refer us to landscape design, but at the same time, a beautiful elegant chair emphasizes the home environment.
A beautiful and multi-level design of the porch entrance with greenery not only decorates the house, but also helps to combine interior details into a single picture.
The combination in the design of completely different textures, but in a different design, can also be seen in this photo example. In a beautiful porch interior, you can clearly see how to ennoble simple materials and forms with the help of a few simple tricks. The smooth lines of the path smooth out the sharp shape of the roof, but in addition, the sidewalk ties together a semicircular balcony and rectangular steps. The plastered facade of the house, a piece of wall sheathed with wood and a porch tiled are, in fact, completely different materials in texture and color. But meanwhile, an incredible combination is balanced by a riot of vegetation, it is not only of a different shade, but also of a completely different shape: triangular, sprawling, round. These beautiful details draw attention, and in an amazing way, balance and harmony appear in the interior design of the porch.
Beautiful porch of a brick house, photo, how to combine forged decor in the design
Concluding the story about textures, I would like to emphasize that do not be afraid to combine materials in the design, until recently glass, metal and concrete in one design were unthinkable, but now it is everywhere.
Railings and canopies
Railings and canopies are the main "polygon" in the design of a beautiful porch interior, where you can fully express your imagination, creativity and taste. Beautiful, forged curlicues, figured wooden balusters, carved overlays, these design elements become the decoration of the entrance group. There is a huge selection of such decors on the construction market for a beautiful design, but here it is important to correctly compose the details.
Beautiful porch to a wooden house, design in Russian style
So, if a beautiful carved wooden decor for the visor was chosen for decoration, then it must definitely find its continuation in decorating the facade of the house, or in the porch fencing. Sheds on forged frames, as a rule, are combined with forged railings, a beautiful door handle, street lighting lanterns. Decorating the porch of a wooden house with a wooden balustrade is the most popular way to decorate the entrance, the baluster railing in its shape should be combined with the shape of the pillars, or with the door panel.
Decoration of the porch of a wooden house with wrought iron decor
For the design and improvement of the entrance porch and veranda, you just need to choose the right furniture. As a rule, garden furniture is used for furnishings: wicker made of artificial and natural rattan, forged with durable glass inserts, or folding on a metal frame with wooden surfaces that are impregnated with moisture-repellent compounds.
Beautiful wrought iron furniture on the porch is ideally combined not only with a wrought iron parapet and visor, but also with bricks, concrete, stone, and also harmoniously fits into the Provence and loft style design
Handmade wooden furniture is very popular. These are benches, home-made sofas, tables, trestle beds, stools. Such an environment adds color and originality to the design of the porch, and often becomes the pride of the owners.
Ideas for decorating your porch with furniture
Textiles in the design of the entrance group
Of course, on a small porch, no matter how competently the design of the porch is thought out, you won’t go wild in the design. But on the other hand, on the large terrace of a country house, or on the veranda of the country porch, you can equip a beautiful, full-fledged recreation area.
Making the porch in the country, photo of the interior design of a large terrace
But in addition to furniture, pillows, blankets, capes, rugs are needed to create coziness - everything that has a comfortable rest. In addition to such trifles, it is desirable to provide curtains or blinds in the design that will protect the porch space from bad weather and gusts of wind. It is better to choose fabrics for decoration that are waterproof, do not let in UV rays, and do not fade in the sun. The design of the curtains should match the overall design concept, mostly lightweight curtains are made of polyester, and more durable ones are made of canvas and identical fabrics.
A beautiful decorative lattice is an alternative to curtains, a very practical option for arranging a country porch and protecting it from the sun.
Flowers and decor items in the design
Decorating your porch with flowers and plants is always a win-win interior design option. In the arsenal of competent design design, there are beautiful tubs with large perennials, creeping and climbing plants in pots, flower beds with flowering compositions. In addition, a huge selection of garden figurines and figurines is now on the market, their use will add zest and originality to the design of the porch.
Beautiful flowerpots with flowers will noticeably enliven even the most banal design of the entrance group
“Unhackneyed” design techniques look especially impressive, show your creative talents, because a hand-made craft is not just an author’s design, exclusive, but also the realization of creative potential, an opportunity to show yourself and your skills.
Exclusive design, fun DIY furniture design
I would like to talk about unexpected findings in the design and decoration of the porch. Sometimes the idea of how to decorate the porch of a house comes completely unexpectedly, for example, as in the next photo.
Such a find in the design will greatly enhance the effect of the design of the porch.
Do not be afraid to experiment, embody your most incredible design ideas, because this is the face of your home, your business card, which presents you to guests from the doorway, opening up new facets of your personality for them. In the galleries for the article, see how to arrange beautiful porches, photos will tell you a lot of beautiful, interesting and unexpected ideas for the design of the entrance group.
Ideas for the design of the porch of a private house, photos of beautiful porches for a wooden house, brick, concrete, tips for decorating steps and porch railings
A beautiful porch of a private house with your own hands: the design of the visor, railings, steps. Modern design ideas for the porch of a brick house and a wooden one, photo
Design decoration of the porch of a private house: analysis of style + selection of ideas
The porch is an obligatory element of the front part of the house. And therefore, the design of the porch of a private house is designed to emphasize the beauty and integrity of the entire building. The desire to decorate your home, focusing on fashion trends and taking into account your own taste preferences, is natural for any of us. Each owner of a suburban area wants to arrange his building so that it stands out favorably against the background of neighboring houses. Fortunately, the variety of porch design options is quite extensive. Let's look at the most interesting of them.
The porch is an extension in front of the entrance to the house, which, if necessary, is equipped with a small staircase, lined with several steps, and a canopy.
The porch performs the function of transition from ground level to floor level, the difference between which can reach from 50 to 200 or more centimeters
Since the floor in the house is always raised to the level of the foundation, a series of steps is an obligatory element of the porch, which ends with a spacious or, on the contrary, a small area adjacent to the front door. The number of steps is made odd: three, five, seven. It is calculated in such a way that, when lifting, a person steps onto the platform with the same foot with which he started the movement.
To protect against snow and rain entering the site, which can prevent the free opening of doors, a canopy is often placed over the porch. If, when arranging a porch located at a height of one to two meters, the railing performs a practical function, then on a low porch about half a meter high, the fence acts more as an element of decor.
Having the opportunity to equip a spacious area in front of the entrance, you can complement the architectural ensemble by placing a bench on it
Since the porch, in addition to its practical purpose, also performs an aesthetic function, acting as the main decoration of the facade, a number of points should be taken into account when decorating the porch in a private house.
For example: when arranging a wooden frame or panel house, the design of the porch can only have a wooden version. If the house is made of stone, then you can safely use building materials such as natural or artificial stone, concrete or brick, glass or plastic to decorate the porch. The option of combining stone and wood also looks interesting. But in this case, the combination of elements should be carried out as carefully and carefully as possible.
The desired result of the integrity of the architectural ensemble can be achieved not only by the same finishing materials, but also by coordinated color schemes. For example: if there are elements of forging in the enclosing structures of the site, then it would not be superfluous to continue the theme by decorating with them the pilasters or railings supporting the canopy.
Please note that the porch, acting as the front entrance, affects the perception of the house as a whole, which leaves its mark on the image of its owner. That is why it is not worth saving on the quality of finishing materials.
Style directions in the design of the porch
Ideal is the option in which the decoration of the porch of the house is in harmony with all the elements of the exterior: the facade of the building, the fence, the external gate ...
The porch, acting as a significant architectural element, should not only protect housing from snow drifts, but also please the eye, combined with the style of the house.
Among the most common styles of decorating the porch of a country house, there are several options.
Option # 1 - classic design
The porch is equipped with a gable canopy, chiseled railings and decoratively decorated rounded balusters. As a facing material, ceramic tiles or stone are used.
A feature of the design of the porch in the classical style is the moderate use of decorative elements that emphasize consistency and austere taste.
Option # 2 - carved porch in Russian traditions
In Russia, for a long time the main entrance of a wooden house, which towered on massive supports, was made high and spacious. The porch was decorated with many carved elements decorated with ornate patterns.
Today, the design of the porch in the "Russian style" is still popular, acting as an elegant decoration of the facade of a wooden house.
Its carved railings and visor, as well as hanging pots with fresh flowers, make it especially refined.
Option # 3 - porch in the style of "house-fortress"
This porch is a massive structure, decorated with natural stone. The main decoration of the main entrance can be lamps in the form of torches, forged furniture and lattices, the massiveness of which is emphasized by openwork planters with climbing plants.
Delicate roses, fragrant azaleas and graceful petunias against the background of a cold and rough stone create a rather colorful contrast.
Option #4 - European style porch
Characteristic features of the style direction are the correctness of forms and restraint of lines. The porch most often looks like a neat low structure. When facing the platform and steps, natural or artificial stone, or ceramic tiles are used for it.
As decor elements of such a porch, garden figures in the form of animals, flowerpots with flowers and hanging bells look appropriate.
Option # 5 - French-style porch
This direction is a variation of the European version. A characteristic feature of the style is the "French window" - a glass door decorated with an openwork lattice. Wooden or wicker garden furniture and hanging flowers are used to decorate the front entrance.
The abundance of flowers, and the figured decoration of the elements give the design of the porch a sophisticated sophistication and a special chic.
Some ideas and illustrative design examples
There are many options for decorating the porch of a private house. It all depends on the design features of the building, the wishes and capabilities of the owner of the site.
You can transform a porch with a small platform, which is the main architectural element of the facade of the building, using container colors.
Flower pots are placed on both sides of the entrance. Curtains made of loose fabrics will help to give the front entrance an atmosphere of comfort and protect the site from bright sunlight.
As a finishing touch to your front porch, you can put a nice outdoor rug that matches the colors of the containers.
When planning to equip a porch that will also serve as a veranda, you should worry about purchasing comfortable garden furniture.
A fairly popular option for arranging a patio porch, which is an open terrace connected to the house.
Such a patio porch is more of a transitional option between the porch of a traditional house and an open garden gazebo.
The space of the porch may well accommodate an open summer kitchen with chairs, tables and other paraphernalia. The porch expanded to the size of a small terrace allows you to receive guests and relax comfortably, enjoying the fresh air, next to the house.
Columns or an arch, entwined with climbing roses, located in front of the entrance to the porch, contribute to the creation of a romantic atmosphere and have a pleasant stay.
An interesting option is also the lighting design of the architectural ensemble in the same style, in which the lamps on the porch are made in the same style as the lamps that provide illumination of the site in the dark.
Design decoration of the porch of a private house: examples of decoration (photo and video)
Style directions for finishing the porch of a private house. Popular options and solutions for porch design. Lots of photos with examples + videos with tips from experts.
7 tips for the design and decoration of the porch of a private house + photo
The porch is the face of the house. This simple truth needs no further explanation. It is clear that the porch should be aesthetic, combined in style with the house and the adjoining area, and also be strong, reliable, safe and, if possible, functional. Despite the fact that these requirements are well understood by everyone, it can sometimes be very difficult to equip a porch in accordance with all the rules. Getting to the independent design and decoration of the porch of a private house, you should familiarize yourself with the basic principles of its organization.
No. 1. Basic requirements for a porch
The porch is a kind of extension to the house and serves to ensure that a person can comfortably move from ground level to floor level in the house, because the latter is always higher, sometimes by 20-30 cm, and sometimes by 1-1.5 m (it all depends from the features of the construction of the foundation). Porch seems to be a fairly simple and unpretentious structure, but if you look, then it includes several functional elements:
All these details should be combined with each other, as well as in harmony with the facade of the house, the site, overlap with the fence, gates and other elements of the local area.
Of course, the design of the porch is of no small importance, especially in matters of perception of the house, but since the daily load will be placed on it, it must be, first of all, very convenient, practical and thoughtful. Each structural element of the porch must meet the requirements of the owners of the house, so it is so important to create a project in advance and determine the required number of steps, the size of the platform and canopy, and the height of the railing. Worth considering the following nuances:
An important element of the porch is lighting. In addition, if the area allows and there is a need, on the porch you can equip recreation area with benches, chairs, sofas, a table and organize breakfasts or lunches in the fresh air. 
No. 2. What to consider when designing a porch?
Comparing hundreds and even thousands of private houses, we are unlikely to be able to find two similar porches, unless, of course, these are standard houses. Everyone has their own preferences, tastes and requirements, which form the basis for the design of the porch. But in the desire to stand out and create an original solution, one should not forget some principles that will help organically fit the porch into the surrounding area.
When choosing a style must be taken into account the desired dimensions of the site, the height of the future staircase and its configuration, the material for finishing the facade of the house, as well as the features of landscape design.
The easiest way- use in the arrangement of the porch the same materials and colors as for the house itself. This is the most common solution that allows you to create a harmonious entrance group. For example, if the house is built of wood, then it would be logical to use wood when arranging the porch, for a brick house - paving slabs for brick. Conversely, a brick porch will look very out of place near a wooden house. When setting up, you can focus also on the elements of the site: if the fence and gate are decorated with forged elements, then they can also be used for the porch railing.
A more complicated way is decorating a porch in a style different from home. This is allowed, but will require you to have exceptional taste. To combine the house and the entrance group, it will be necessary to think over the general details: these can be elements of the same color or some kind of geometric shapes. 
There is another solution- decorate the porch in the style as close as possible to the site. In other words, the entrance group should become more a continuation of garden paths and flower beds, rather than part of the house. In this way, you can create very interesting solutions and blur the boundaries between the entrance to the house and the site itself. 
Number 3. Decoration of stairs
The entrance to the house begins with climbing the stairs, they take on a significant load, so their arrangement must be approached very seriously. When choosing a material for finishing the steps of the porch, it is necessary to take into account the tasks entrusted to him, including protection of the base from destruction, giving the stairs a complete and aesthetic appearance.
Stair steps and platform, usually, made from the same material. It must be wear-resistant, non-slip, withstand temperature extremes and high humidity, and also be resistant to decay and invulnerable to rodents. Finishing material should preferably not fade in the sun and be easy to maintain, and, of course, be aesthetic. The ideal material in all respects has not yet been invented, but there are several quite suitable ones.
The most popular materials for arranging steps and a porch platform:
- a natural stone- an expensive and chic way to finish the porch. There are many types of stone, they differ in color and texture, but they are all resistant to any weather and mechanical stress. You can use both sawn stone and tile or a strip of stone. Most often, for facing the porch use sandstone, marble and lamesite, a granite considered one of the most expensive and durable options (such a porch will last you at least 100 years). Slippery rocks are subjected to heat treatment or engraving, but if you don’t want to “mock” the stone, you can purchase special rubber pads. Another interesting option is rubble stone, which will fit into areas made in a rustic style;
- paving slabs considered the most common porch cladding option. The secret of popularity lies in the wide variety and excellent performance. The material is made from a sand-cement mixture with special additives and dyes. May be any shape, color and size, imitate different types of stone. Interesting patterns can be formed from tiles. The material is resistant to high humidity, temperature extremes, direct sunlight, sufficient frost resistance, strength and durability. The installation of paving slabs must be approached responsibly, otherwise it may sink. Significant downside - in the cold, the material becomes slippery, therefore, it is not enough to choose tiles with a well-embossed rough surface - you will have to provide rubber pads or additionally lay a coating during low temperatures;
- concrete tile– more budget analogue of sidewalk. On sale there are both ready-made elements and special forms for self-casting. Of the advantages, we note strength, high resistance to moisture, sunlight and abrasion, as well as the ability to imitate a stone coating, but in severe frost, concrete tiles can crumble or crack;
- ceramic tile. Only those tiles that can be used outdoors are suitable for facing the porch, which is easy to check by labeling. The package should have a foot painted on it, with a shaded surface below it, and a snowflake icon should also be available. Pay attention to the flame icon and the number in it, which means the number of firings: for outdoor conditions, tiles with one firing are better, they are less porous. The main advantage of the material- a huge variety of shapes, shades, sizes and textures. Ceramic tiles can be glossy, matte, embossed, mosaic, wood or stone - any idea can be translated into reality. material relatively inexpensive, waterproof but very fragile and more or less strong mechanical loads will not withstand, and in winter such tiles also become slippery;
- clinker tiles- one of the best options for steps and porch platforms. The material is made from special types of clay at a very high temperature. Clinker tiles durable and very strong- in winter, you can not be afraid to clean snow from it with a tool - you can’t damage it with a blow. Moreover, the material moisture resistant, therefore, even in severe frosts does not crack, resistant to sunlight, has rough non-slip surface;
- porcelain stoneware strength is approximately on the same level with clinker tiles, looks very solid, often imitates natural stone, but it's not cheap. The material is made using a special technology from clay, feldspar, quartz and additives, resulting in a material with high moisture resistance, wear resistance and the ability to withstand any mechanical stress. Porcelain stoneware does not take any fungus, no mold, no sun rays, no time. In winter, however, you will have to solve the problem with a slippery surface;
- metal although it pleases with durability and allows you to equip a pretty openwork porch, it is used infrequently and, mainly, for those houses where they come only occasionally, and do not live permanently;
- natural wood- it's beautiful and environmentally friendly, but very troublesome. It is better to choose rocks that are as resistant to moisture as possible (larch and oak) or wood that has come heat-treated, but you still have to constantly treat the surface with protective materials, preventing the appearance of mold and fungus, but the steps in the cold will not become slippery. Even with proper care, the tree is unlikely to last a very long time, and the material is afraid of fire;
- terrace board has almost the same advantages as natural wood, but it is more practical to use, resistant to moisture and sunlight, does not slip, does not rot, easy to install and boasts a huge variety. They make a terrace board using different technologies, but it is always the surface has a noticeable relief. A special type of material is a wood-polymer composite board, which includes wood shavings or sawdust and a binder. Such a board, although less environmentally friendly, is more resistant to negative natural influences than other types of terrace boards.
When choosing a material, consider the features of the facade of the house: for wooden houses, mostly natural wood or decking is suitable, for brick or stone houses, it is appropriate to use different types of tiles, stone and porcelain stoneware, and tiles are also suitable for a plastered facade. The staircase does not have to be strictly opposite the front door - it can be on the side, be semicircular or generally with two marches. For maximum comfort and safety in winter, can be arranged under the steps heating system with electric underfloor heating.
No. 4. Decoration of railings and fences
The functions assigned to the railing are clear to each of us - this is to ensure the safety of movement and additional decoration of the porch. When choosing a material for them, it is necessary to take into account the features of the decoration of the house and feet, as well as the expected load.
You can use one of the following materials:
No. 5. Canopy decoration
Ideally, the canopy should completely cover the porch area and go beyond it, but with limited funds, you can make a visor only above the front door. If the canopy is small and light, then as mounts you can use beams or pipes coming from the wall of the house. For large and heavy visors, you will have to equip supports, which, by the way, can become part of the porch decor. Moreover, in two- and three-story private houses, a canopy can be combined with a balcony.
Popular materials for arranging a canopy:
Some materials can be successfully combine with each other. The shape of the canopy can be anything: often visors are made arched, domed, flat, single and gable, less often choose a concave shape. Trying to create a unique solution, we must not forget that water must flow freely from the visor, without lingering on its surface.
No. 6. How to decorate a porch?
It is advisable to consider the location of the main decor elements at the design stage of the porch.
- plants- a universal decor that will be combined with wood, stone, and metal. On the porch, you can put flowers in flowerpots, plant climbing plants that will braid the railing, build flower beds built along the stairs, or use hanging pots - there are a lot of options. It is better to choose flowers that bloom throughout the warm season. You can also use dried flowers, evergreen shrubs and even artificial flowers, but choose those that are practically indistinguishable from natural outwardly;
No. 7. Basic house porch design styles
Among designers who are professionally involved in arranging the entrance groups of houses, there is a classification of styles that can be used when decorating a porch. Their main features and principles will help everyone create a tastefully decorated porch on their own.
It is not so difficult to independently develop the design of the porch of a private house. It is enough to decide on the main preferences and adjust them to the requirements of functionality and security.
7 tips for the design and decoration of the porch of a private house photo, Viti Petrov's Building Blog
The entrance to any private house runs through the porch, so it must be reliable, strong, safe and, of course, aesthetic. What materials can
03.09.2016 30961
The porch to the house is considered the logical completion of the building structure, it has steps, since the level of the first floor is above ground level. When building this element, it is worth considering the required area for comfortable accommodation of two people and the presence of a canopy.
Everyone can do it with their hands, the main thing is to know the nuances of erection depending on the construction. The article deals with the main questions of how to build a porch to the house with your own hands.
- The construction work plan begins with the design. This includes the type of construction, design, material, height of steps and handrails. When choosing these elements, it is taken into account what material the building is made of;
Important: when calculating the steps, it should be taken into account that a person must finish the step from the foot with which he started, that is, an odd number.
- Before building steps with your own hands, you should know that a comfortable height is 15-20 cm, and a depth of 30 cm, with an increase in these indicators, it is uncomfortable to walk;
- It will be necessary to make a slight slope so that when precipitation falls, water does not accumulate on the surface;
- Railings and fences are required not only in constructions greater than 0.5 meters, the use serves as an additional decorative decoration. The height of the railing is within 80-100 cm;
- If the area is sufficient, then you can equip a bench or a veranda;
- The design of the structure is selected based on the exterior of the building and the surrounding area;
- You can build a porch as a separate element from the building, and after the construction process, dock with the house, but it is recommended to make a single foundation. If it was done as a separate monolithic structure, then it is not necessary to attach the house to the foundation, since cracks will appear during the shrinkage process, which will lead to destruction.
Stages of building a porch to a one-story house
Before creating a project, it is worth considering the proportions of the house and doors in order to end up with a beautiful porch, since the construction of a small structure with large doors looks out of place and vice versa. Consider construction above 1.5, taking into account the fact that initially a single foundation was not provided. A complex goal will allow the construction of light systems to simplify the task.
The construction of the porch to the house begins with the foundation, brick is used as the basis for this project.
Necessary tool and material:
- Twine;
- Cement for masonry and foundations;
- Ruberoid;
- Trowel;
- Container for mixing the mixture;
- Building level;
- Brick;
- fittings;
- crushed stone;
- Shovel;
- Sand.
In order for the foundation with the building, you will need to go down below the freezing point of the soil. You also need to go below the foundation of the building and you will need to violate the integrity of the foundation of the house.
Step by step algorithm:Important: Many builders claim that it is possible to install a foundation on the ground surface without deepening, on the one hand, such a process is real, but it should be borne in mind that the material for such a system will need to be selected with high performance, which will lead to additional costs. This is due to the high loads that occur annually during the thawing of the soil after winter when the soil is not stable. Using pads against heaving of the soil will also not help. The use of a shallow foundation is acceptable in regions with a dry climate. And if you use an unburied foundation in this case, then the porch will float.
- To build a reliable porch for a one-story house, the brickwork takes place in a full brick, that is, the thickness will be from 30 cm;
- At this stage, according to the project, marking is done, the string is pulled and pegs are installed;
- A trench is dug and filled with fine gravel or rubble and a thorough compaction takes place;
- We reinforce the resulting structure;
- The mixture for construction is prepared as follows: one part of cement, 5 crushed stone and 3 sand are taken;
Recommendation: when preparing the mixture, the resulting mass should have a dense structure, since the plastic solution will begin to exfoliate and peel off over time. When mixing, water is added in small portions.
- The foundation is poured and left alone for 20 days. During drying, the extension of the porch to the house is periodically moistened with water or pre-covered with a film for 7 days;
- If another material is used as a cladding, then when laying bricks, you should not worry about the jointing;
- At this stage, waterproofing material - roofing material takes place, laying takes place over the entire area;
- The waterproofing process is done in 2 layers. The first are installed with an overlap and in parallel;
- The masonry process takes place using a building level or pre-stretched twine;
- The internal space is filled with construction debris, for example, broken bricks, the remaining mortar or fine gravel and gravel 25-30 cm thick, the layers are poured with sand. It is carefully compacted so that, as a result, the voids between the material are minimal;
- The porch for the house in the inner space is filled until 20-25 cm remains to the edge and covered with sand;
- After laying 10-15 cm with a layer of gravel or small gravel, a screed is made;
- When performing this process, do not forget about the design of the railing, and what kind of fastening they have;
- The construction of the porch to the house is almost completed. On a pre-laid roofing material, a screed is poured from the total area. Moving on to the steps after, starting from the top.
Foundation, as a cladding, depending on the design, tiling is possible. There are dozens of design options, the floor on the porch is decorated with decorative stone and, but only frost-resistant material, such as porcelain stoneware, is required. The masonry is done so that there are no voids, they are detected by tapping, in this case the tile is shifted.
Not so difficult, the main thing is to stick to the technology. The facade is finished with plaster for outdoor use, decorative stone, and other materials suitable for outdoor use. The choice of facing material for finishing the structure is at the discretion and taste of the owner, but, most importantly, in order to make a beautiful porch, you need to take into account the style of the building and site.
Construction of a concrete porch
To make a porch with your own hands from concrete, you should adhere to the algorithm. Main questions and recommendations:
- The construction of a concrete structure is recommended to be carried out at the stage of building a house to create a single foundation and waterproofing. Since properly laid waterproofing affects durability;
- If the building has already been built, then attach a porch, 5 cm lower from the front door. The number of steps depends on the height of the door;
- The material for construction is selected high quality, moisture resistant and for outdoor use.
We build a porch to the house in 3 stages:
- The building material is selected, and preparatory work is carried out on the site;
- The main stage will be the calculation and construction of the formwork;
- Concrete laying.
Work order:
- At the first stage, a pit is dug 20-30 cm deep, and 2.5 cm wider than the site area;
- Gravel or small gravel is poured into 2.5 cm, and sand is laid out on top to fill the voids;
- For the correct calculation of the height of the steps, the height of the structure is taken and divided by their number;
- At this stage, a formwork is erected with a height of at least 30 cm, relative to the structure itself;
- Under the steps are located at a right angle, and the platform itself is at a slope of 0.6 cm, a drain of 30 cm. The risers also have a slope of 15 degrees;
- Formwork will require stiffeners;
- The installation of shields occurs after the indentation from the wall surface;
- The stakes are hammered to a depth of 25 cm and spacers are installed. The resulting base is filled up and carefully compacted;
- Pre-cut boards are nailed to the formwork according to the parameters of the risers, nails are used as fastening material.
To attach a porch to a brick house, they use the same technology before pouring mortar. It should be borne in mind that the construction of a brick structure will cost more than the construction of a concrete base.
Construction of a porch for a wooden house
Wood is considered an environmentally friendly material, but do-it-yourself timber must meet certain requirements, since the structure will be exposed to atmospheric influences and mechanical stress all year round. At the first stage, preparatory work is carried out:
- When creating a drawing, flights of stairs, structural and surface parameters and design are taken into account;
- The foundation at the design stage should be thought out so that it is subject to minimal environmental influences;
- The site for the extension must be of sufficient size for the simultaneous movement of several people;
- To build a porch from a bar, there are no requirements and norms;
- Parameters and style are selected based on the type and design of the house;
- The surface of the porch should be located 3-5 cm below the door leaf, otherwise, when precipitation occurs, the door will deform, which will lead to squeaks when opening and closing, and a complete malfunction of the structure is also possible.
We build a wooden porch - a step-by-step algorithm:
- You will need boards with parameters of 15 cm by 5 cm;
- A support is made from the prepared material, fastening between them takes place with self-tapping screws;
- A recess is made under the sole of the support in the ground;
- The support is created from improvised material, it can be flat stones or nickels, filled with cement mortar with gravel or small gravel;
- Wooden supports are installed on these nickels. All wooden elements are treated with an antibacterial primer from mold and decay 15 cm from the soil, but it is better to impregnate the entire structure;
- If there is no primer available, drying oil or used motor oil is used as an impregnation, it is inappropriate to use bitumen here, since after application an airtight film is formed and the wood will rot from the inside;
- Self-tapping screws are used as fastening material for the platform. The stronger the flight of stairs and the landing are connected, the more reliable and durable the structure will be;
- The staircase is built after the installation of the platform is completed. It is worth paying attention to the bowstring, since this element is considered the most difficult, because it is presented in the form of a carrier board. Installation of steps takes place on it.
Canopy creation:
- Polycarbonate is considered a common material for a canopy, it has high performance, which allows to increase the service life, as well as low cost;
- From an aluminum profile, a frame is made from several consoles;
- To mount the frame, metal clips will be required as a fastening material. Rubber gaskets are used to seal the attachment points of the washers;
- Holes are made under the screws several times larger than the parts for installation, since polycarbonate tends to expand in the sun. It is impossible to use sharp material for fastening: self-tapping screws and screws, since there is a high probability that a chip will form, and subsequently a crack will go along the surface.
The article considered several types of porch construction from different materials. Also, after the construction, it is possible to conduct electricity so that it is comfortable to move around at night.
Want to build your own porch? No problem! Though concrete, even wooden, even metal - choose any. In this case, the metal will be made with a beautiful canopy roof made of
We build a concrete porch
Reliable, durable and overall solid construction.
Choose sizes
Dimensions of steps: a - normal; b - foreigners Usually the porch consists of several steps. Our task is to choose the best dimensions of the structure.
The optimal width of the stairs is 80-100 cm. If possible, the width should be increased - so the porch will be more comfortable and beautiful. Decreasing is undesirable.
The permissible angle of inclination of the stairs is from 27 to 45 degrees.
| Step width, mm | Step height, mm | The angle of inclination of the march, hail. |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | 100 | 14 |
| 380 | 110 | 16 |
| 360 | 120 | 18 |
| 340 | 130 | 21 |
| 320 | 140 | 23 |
| 300 | 150 | 25 |
| 280 | 160 | 29 |
| 260 | 170 | 33 |
| 240 | 180 | 37 |
| 220 | 190 | 40 |
| 200 | 200 | 45 |
We make the steps equal in width to about 25 cm, in height - 12-20 cm, depending on who will use the porch. Children and the elderly? Making steps lower. Mostly young and full of energy users? We can increase the height of the steps.
We equip the upper platform so that it is approximately 50 mm below the end of the front door.
Pour the foundation for the porch
We swarm a pit along the perimeter of the future porch. Depth - from 50 cm.
We install the formwork around the perimeter of the foundation.
We fill the bottom of the pit with a 20-centimeter layer of gravel and ram it. From above we pour a 10-centimeter layer of sand. Sprinkle with water for better tamping.
We cover the site with roofing material. We lay the reinforcing mesh (the recommended cell size is 10x10 cm) and. The solution can be prepared independently. Standard proportions:
- cement - 1 part;
- sand - part 3;
- gravel - 5 parts.
We pour concrete. We level the fill, pierce it with reinforcement in several places to release excess air. We leave the concrete for a few days for the initial curing.
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Cement and mixture bases
We install the formwork
We build formwork for steps. For this we use thick plywood. The height of the formwork should be 20 cm higher than the height of the future porch.
The principle is simple: we cut out the formwork elements along the height of each step and install them in the appropriate places. Between ourselves, we tighten the shields with metal plates, wooden bars or other suitable fasteners.
Important! Side shields need to be strengthened with additional stiffeners.
Steps must be reinforced. In this case, the reinforcement must be laid and installed in all three planes. An even more convenient option is to weld the frame in the shape of a future staircase and build a formwork around it. Do as you please.
Filling the steps
Lubricate the inner walls of the formwork with oil. Thanks to this, in the future we will be able to remove it without much effort.
We prepare the solution for pouring in the same way as the mixture for the foundation-platform.
We fill the stairs in stages, from the first step. We let each step dry slightly, and only after that we fill in the next one. In this case, it is necessary to install additional formwork elements on the front side of the steps. The length of these elements must correspond to the width of the stairs. We make the height the same as that of the step itself.
Important! The side of the formwork in contact with should be as smooth as possible.
The poured concrete is carefully leveled and pierced with reinforcement in several places.
We remove the formwork after at least 7-10 days. In conclusion, all that remains for us is to finish the steps. We can veneer them with stone or tiles, lay and perform any other finish at our discretion.
Railings are installed on request. The height of the handrails is from 90 cm. You can use the following option. It is also suitable for a metal and wooden porch (in this case, we will replace the metal elements with wooden ones).
We install support posts made of metal pipes in the lower and upper parts of the porch. It is advisable to choose the length so that the slope of the railing corresponds to the slope of the stairs. We connect the upper and lower ends of the racks with pipes of a slightly smaller section. We use welding.
The top tube will take over the functions of the handrail. To fill the space between our pipes, we use any rolled metal. Elements are installed with any interval. At this point, everything depends entirely on your preferences and imagination.
After mounting the structure, we clean the metal elements and prime them in 2 layers. This treatment will increase the life of the railing.
Such a porch will go well with almost any home.
We make the foundation
In general, the foundation is arranged in the same way as in the case of a concrete porch, with only one difference: at the same stage, it is necessary to install supports for the future visor.
It is better to install supports in each corner of the future visor - so the design will be as stable as possible. If the porch is large, we make supports along the length of its walls in increments of no more than 2 m.
We dig holes about one and a half meters deep for each support. Metal pipes will perfectly cope with the role of supports. We insert the pipe into the pit and fill it with concrete.
Also, supports can be made from a bursa. The procedure is the same, but first the lower part of the timber must be wrapped with roofing material or tarred and additionally impregnated with an antiseptic.
At the same stage, we install supports for the future stairs. Similarly, we dig holes, put metal racks in them and pour concrete. It is unlikely that the porch will have too long a staircase, so it will be enough to install supports at the bottom and top of the structure. For greater certainty, we can install them in the middle of the span.
The further procedure, up to the stage of pouring concrete, remains the same as in the instructions for arranging a site for a concrete porch.
At the pouring stage, we take into account that we will need to drown the staircase structure somewhat in the solution. We fill it not to the very top of the site - we leave about a 100-300 mm gap (depending on the dimensions of the structure to be equipped and its features).
Then, after the installation of the metal structure, we will fill the pit to the very top.
Drawing in accordance with the plan of the house We cook the stairs
We take two metal channels. We weld them to the previously installed and concreted supports. In the future, we will weld rolled products for steps to these products.
We take an equal-shelf metal corner. We cut it to the selected length of the steps, increased by the length of the weld. We weld a metal corner along the contour.
We get products in the form of the letter G. We connect them together. At the top we connect these G-elements with the help of an equal-shelf corner. To do this, we weld it along the contour to both products, placing the shelves inward. To connect the bottom of the steps, we use a similar corner, but we place it with the shelves outward.
To fill the steps, we can use different materials, for example, wood and plywood. Fastening is carried out using self-tapping screws, screwing them from the bottom side. For additional fastening of wooden elements, we use silicone and ordinary glue.
In general, finish the stairs at your discretion. If you wish, you can not close up the horizontal openings, but simply mount the sheathing directly on the steps.
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Welders
Making a visor
We mounted the racks for the frame at the stage of arranging the foundation. Further we work in this order.
We install transverse supports according to the dimensions of the frame. If desired, we can make a curved canopy. To do this, it is enough to cut the profile in increments of about 4 cm and bend it to the desired level. The advantage of a curved canopy is that precipitation and various debris will not linger on it.
We lay it on the frame and fix it with self-tapping screws. We maintain the fastening step equal to 300 mm. We glue the edges. On this canopy is ready.
We build the foundation
- the best solution for a wooden house adjoining porch. Such a foundation is simple and quick in arranging, but at the same time very reliable.
We dig holes at the points of installation of the pile - in the corners of the future porch and along the length of its edges in increments of 80-100 cm. The depth of such holes is from 80 cm. Optimally - below the freezing point of the soil.
We process the support beam with an antiseptic, wrap its lower part with roofing material, and then insert it into the pits. We fill the vertically aligned beam in the pits with concrete.
Let the concrete harden and proceed to further activities.
We mount the logs
If necessary, we cut off the tops of the beam so that all the piles are on the same level. We calculate the height of the supports so that after laying the platform between it and the front door there is approximately a 5-centimeter height difference.
We attach the logs to the supports and the wall of the house in a suitable way (with self-tapping screws, dowels, etc., depending on the material of the wall).
We make a kosour (string)
We proceed to the manufacture of the bearing part of the stairs. We will attach steps to it. That is, the bowstring is the side face of the steps.
For the manufacture of bowstrings, we use wooden boards with a thickness of 5 cm or more. We take a board and draw steps on it. We cut the blanks with a jigsaw or saw.
We fasten the bowstring with the lags with a tenon-groove connection.
We make out the platform and steps
We fasten or nail the platform sheathing boards to the lags. If desired, we lay some kind of finishing coating on top of the boards - we focus on our preferences.
We fasten the risers to the bowstring and tread. We start working from the bottom step. The procedure is simple: we fix the riser, we fix the tread on it, and so on until the end. For fixing, we use self-tapping screws or a thorn-groove connection.
Equip the railing and visor at your discretion. Installation instructions for these elements have been given previously. The sequence remains the same, it is only necessary to replace the supporting elements and trim parts with similar products made of wood or other preferred material.
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Building boards
Successful work!
Video - DIY house porch
The porch of a private house or country cottage is a kind of "face" of the structure. The design of the porch, which attracts attention and serves as a reliable support, allows not only to get inside the house, but also to spend your free time, comfortably sitting in the air.
Features and building codes
In essence, the porch is a kind of extension with steps to the building, with which you can enter the room or leave it. It is important enough to give a finished, neat look to a private or country house, and also protects the building from snow and rain. Most often, the design parameters are thought out at the design stage, but one of its features is the possibility of an extension after the construction of the building itself.
Traditionally, the material that is used to build the dwelling itself is also used to build a porch or veranda. Therefore, a porch of wood should be built near a wooden house, and a brick porch for a brick house. However, most often even a wooden veranda with steps is built on to a brick house, since this material is cheaper and easier to work with.
Before starting construction, it is necessary not only to choose the design you like and make all the calculations, but also to familiarize yourself with the basic building codes.
- The area under the porch must be made sufficiently spacious, since it is recommended to choose the width of the structure so that two people can freely disperse on it (at least 1.5 m).
- The door should open freely outward, allowing people standing on the porch to avoid bumping into it. The site itself can be attached to the facade wall or rest on separate pillars, the main thing is that it be 3-5 cm lower than the edge of the front door. This is quite important, since in the winter season the porch will rise and can block the entrance to the room.
- The width of the stairs, according to the regulations, should be at least 1 m, and the height of the step should not be less than 16 and more than 20 cm for comfortable descent and ascent. The most comfortable depth will be a step of 25-30 cm. The overall steepness (slope) of the flight of stairs depends on the size of the steps: the smaller it is, the more comfortable it is to climb. In order to prevent water from accumulating on the platform or steps during precipitation and not spoiling them, it is necessary either to leave small gaps between adjacent boards or bricks, or to install the platform and steps at a slight slope.
- It is best to put a separate foundation under the porch; there is no need to attach it to the already finished one under the house itself. It is recommended to build two types of foundation under the porch: flood or columnar. If possible, it is possible to build a frame system of reinforcing bars, which will increase the reliability and durability of the structure.
Types of structures
Depending on the type of construction, the porch can be:
- open;
- closed;
- on two sides;
- in the form of a vestibule, terraces and even gazebos.
The closed design has great protection from wind and precipitation. In summer, under it, you can hide from the scorching sun, and in winter, even the biggest snowfall will not notice the front door and does not block it. However, this design is not easy to install and quite expensive. The porch platform is completely covered by a canopy, there can be a canopy above the stairs, the sides are covered with railings to the height of the railing or completely. This design is perfect for any home with the right choice of design and materials.
An open small porch is much cheaper and easier to build. It has only a railing and a small canopy, which sometimes does not even cover the entire area. In the simplest case, the canopy and railing at the porch may also be absent, but if the extension is high enough, the absence of a fence is a certain danger. Most often, such simple attached structures are erected near country houses, which are simply not used in winter. A small foundation of such a porch is attached to the outer wall, and the extension itself consists of only a couple of steps and a small platform at the door and is not able to protect from rain and snow.
The design of the vestibule is a small closed buffer zone, which allows you to reduce the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. The tambour also reduces heat loss in the winter and enhances the coolness inside the house in the summer.
A porch with a staircase descending on two sides is erected in the case when the construction of an ordinary staircase is impossible due to the presence of outbuildings. The layout of such an entrance allows you to go down in the direction you need, and go up from any side without going around the porch. Before building it, it is better to consider other options, since the design is quite complex and expensive.
The terrace is often mistakenly referred to as a "veranda". Their main difference is that the veranda is located under the same roof with the main structure and stands with it on the same foundation, and the terrace is being completed close to the house. Most often, a porch-terrace is an open structure with or without a large canopy. On the terrace you can place outdoor furniture or beautiful flower vases.
The porch-gazebo looks like an open veranda and is built, as a rule, from wood. Instead of a roof, a mesh frame can be placed above such a gazebo, which will be wrapped around wild grapes or rose hips in summer.
Sizes and shapes
The first thing you should pay attention to when designing a porch structure is its dimensions.
- They depend on the dimensions of the suburban building itself: for a small country house with two rooms it is impractical to build a large covered terrace, and a small ladder will look strange near a chic country mansion.
- Dimensions should not contradict building codes. If the house is built on uneven terrain, it is more convenient to build a porch with a high plinth, stairs and railings. To support a heavy canopy over a large porch, beautiful columns can be erected around the perimeter.
The shape of the porch may depend on the configuration of the street staircase and be:
- rectangular;
- angular;
- in the form of a trapezoid;
- radial: semicircular, oval, round;
- asymmetric.
There are no strict regulations in choosing the shape of the porch, it is selected in accordance with the design of the site and the house itself. Rectangular and square designs give a certain severity and weight. Round, on the contrary, soften the general appearance of the structure. The design does not have to be a perfect circle, just outline a small circle and remove sharp corners.
An original solution would be a corner porch, which can be absolutely any shape. You can build a trapezoidal platform, a triangular and even a completely asymmetrical complex structure. The main thing is that the porch harmoniously complements a single design idea, and does not introduce dissonance.
Material selection
Natural and artificial stone is well suited for the construction of a large monolithic structure. Granite is durable and wear-resistant, but its price in the building materials market is quite high and it is used in the construction of luxury real estate. For more economical options, sandstone is used, which is easy to process on your own and will fit perfectly into any design.
The finished stone porch can be faced with clinker tiles or porcelain stoneware.
On sale there are special sets that include three types of tiles:
- for facing steps;
- standard product of various sizes;
- corner for steps.
With all the elegance and beauty of stone structures, wood remains the most popular material for the construction of stairs and platforms. It is best to choose hardwoods such as oak or alder. A more economical option are boards made of linden and larch. Before installation, the wood must be treated with a special solution with an antiseptic, which protects the wood fibers from decay processes. To prevent wooden steps from being slippery, small grooves can be cut along the edges.
You can also build a structure of brick or metal profile, put a forged ladder.
Foundation
The best option for the foundation for a wooden porch platform are piles. This design is economical and easy to build on the site with your own hands in a short period of time. In addition, the columnar foundation allows you to make the porch high enough and install it on an uneven surface.
It is advisable to do strip and slab foundations if it is planned to build a large veranda or patio. The slab foundation is tied to the foundation of the house, which allows you to install the porch even on moving ground.
Manufacturing steps
Since the most popular option is the construction of a wooden porch, it would be advisable to consider all the stages of manufacturing using its example.
- Design. Before you start building something with your own hands, you need to think through and calculate everything. The design of the porch, the width and length of the platform and stairs are selected. The number of steps is calculated in such a way that a person steps onto the platform with the same foot with which he started climbing the stairs. It is desirable to provide for the presence of fences, a canopy and railings. It is not recommended to attach the structure to the building itself with a monolithic connection, as cracks may occur due to different shrinkage in the ground. Based on the selected parameters, a general design drawing is created, as well as small diagrams of individual fasteners and elements that you can take with you when buying materials or quickly view when performing construction work.
- Preparation of materials, construction of the foundation. It is necessary to purchase a beam for mounting support pillars with a section of 100x200 mm, boards of the selected material 30 mm thick, slats 50 mm thick for railings and fences. Additionally, antiseptics for wood processing and cement are purchased to secure the supporting pillars.
Of the tools, you may need various fasteners (screws, nails), a shovel, a saw. For measurements, it is most convenient to use a construction tape measure and a level, fasten parts with a screwdriver or hammer.
Unlike a strip or slab foundation, a pile foundation does not require large financial and time investments. The bars must be pre-treated with an antiseptic and allowed to dry completely. Then mark the installation sites of the support and dig holes 70-80 cm deep in places. Sand and gravel should be laid at the bottom of such pits to increase the stability of the foundation pillars.
The piles are lowered into the pit and leveled, only after that it is possible to fill them with concrete mortar. After complete drying, the supports that are adjacent to the wall of the house can be screwed to it using self-tapping screws. This will add strength to the resulting structure.
- Manufacturing of kosour, fastening of steps. The kosour (or bowstring) of the stairs is the side element that holds the steps. All stairs have such an element in their design and differ only in the way the steps are fastened: with mortise, sliding and attached corners. To mark the notches on the stringer, it is necessary to make a small template, one side of which corresponds to the size of the horizontal part of the step (tread), and the second to the vertical part (riser). The bowstring is cut with a saw along the marked lines, a concrete support platform is formed at the place of its connection with the ground.
- Construction assembly. After the final drying of the concrete on the support platform, you can proceed directly to the installation of the entire structure. Finished stringers are attached to the supports with the upper edge and to the lags of the supporting platform with the lower ones, either by sawing or using the tongue-and-groove method. Then the wooden floor of the site is mounted, the boards are tightly fitted and connected with nails or self-tapping screws. It is important to leave a few lye so that water does not accumulate on the porch during rain.
- Laying steps, installing railings and canopies. Laying starts from the bottom, the steps are fastened using the tongue and groove method and are additionally fixed with small self-tapping screws. The riser is attached first, and the tread is already fixed on it. Lastly, railings and a canopy are mounted, if planned.
What to paint?
A finished wooden porch can be treated in a variety of ways to maintain or enhance its appearance. With the help of wax, you can protect the wood fibers from moisture and dirt, which negatively affects its strength. A carved wooden porch can be varnished, which will not only protect the material, but also make the numerous edges and cuts play in the sun, revealing the master's idea. However, the easiest way to finish wooden structures located on the street is painting.
Atmospheric precipitation, wind and sun are three factors that adversely affect the condition of any building structures. Of course, you have to take protective measures all the time in order to extend their service life. But there is one element in the design of the house that often fails if it is not closed with something. It's about the porch. An open porch is often found in private housing construction. This is especially true for small houses and cottages. But many developers, even at the design stage of their home, are trying to make sure that their porch is under reliable protection.
Someone arranges a visor over it, someone builds a whole canopy. By the way, such a complex is called a covered porch. It is protected from above, but open around the entire perimeter, so it still cannot be saved from moisture. Therefore, for those who are going to build a private house, we recommend that you think about a structure that is protected from all sides. This is the so-called closed porch. In fact, this is a finished room or vestibule, which can be heated or not, everything is at the discretion of the customer. Both options are pictured below.
The interior of the closed porch is also chosen at the request of the owner of the house, taking into account the recommendations of the designers. But the outer side of the extension has its own characteristics, both structural and design.
Features of the roof structure of the closed porch
It is necessary to start talking about a closed porch from the roof. Why?
- Firstly, it is the protective part of the structure, which is responsible for the non-penetration of natural loads into the premises.
- Secondly, it is, in fact, a continuation of the roof of the house itself. Therefore, the requirements for the roof of the porch are quite stringent.
- Thirdly, as with all building structures, there are strength requirements for the roof of the porch.
For the first position, you can say this. There are a huge number of roofing materials that are used today in the construction of roofs, large and small. But since the closed porch of the house is a small room, it is possible to use lightweight materials to cover it. For example, flexible tiles.
On the second position. Designers believe that it is necessary to cover the porch (closed) with the same roofing material as the main building itself. As practice shows, this is not always applied in practice. Look at the photo below, where the house is covered with tiles, and the roof of the porch is transparent polycarbonate. Looks very original and airy.
Position number three. Snow and rain loads greatly affect the design of the porch roof. But in the modern world, especially in the field of construction, there is no need to use any complex and heavy materials to make the roof, and indeed the entire structure, durable. There are a large number of modern lightweight materials and products that can withstand fairly decent loads. For example, aluminum profiles.
Attention! A closed vestibule is a full-fledged room, albeit a small one, but a room with walls, a ceiling, a floor and a roof.
Therefore, pay attention to the photo below, which shows such a vestibule in the form of a small house attached to the main building. The entrance of the house is completely closed, but the vestibule itself is equipped with windows and an entrance door. To build it, in addition to the porch itself, it was necessary to build walls, install a door on the entrance and windows on the sides. At the same time, the walls are raised to a certain level.
But the most important thing is that the roof of the closed porch is connected only with the main building, that is, it is fixed on the wall of the house. In fact, this is a separately hanging element, which is not connected with the walls of the porch itself. Windows in this case are not a support, they just simply close the opening between the roof and walls. Therefore, when constructing such a vestibule, it is necessary first of all to take care of fixing the roof. There are many options here, some are complex, some are simple. One option is to install consoles on the facade of the house itself.
Since it has already been said that today lightweight materials can be used to build a closed porch, I would like to focus on glazing systems. Again, we draw your attention to the photo below, where you can see a very beautiful option, glazed on all sides. This is a lightweight design, transparent, so during the day the light on the porch is not needed.
This photo also shows the glass roof. This is one of the options, although this element can be constructed from different materials. The main thing is to carry out the correct installation and fastening. Such a vestibule has one drawback - the glass will have to be cleaned and washed all the time.
As for the northern regions, it is better to build a vestibule in the form of a completely closed room, of course, the entrance is equipped with a door. It is important to use building materials that can withstand low temperatures. Again, we draw your attention to the photo below, where a closed brick vestibule was erected. By the way, not in the color tone of the facade of the house, as the designers recommend. Small windows, a beautiful door - that's all that is needed.
By the way, this version of the closed porch is very easy to build with your own hands.
How to build a closed porch with your own hands
Let's look at how to build a closed brick vestibule, which is shown in the photo above. We will not delve into all the details of construction, we will be interested in the sequence and some of the nuances.
- As with any structure, a foundation will have to be erected for a closed porch. The best option is slab. That is, a foundation pit is dug to the size of the object to a depth of half a meter, which is covered with crushed stone with a layer of up to 20 cm, and with sand on top with a layer of up to 10-15 cm. This pillow is compacted in layers.
- A reinforcing frame is installed on top in the form of a lattice of metal reinforcement with diameters of 10-12 mm.
- Concrete mortar is poured to the edges of the pit. Concrete must be rammed with a vibrator.
Attention! It is necessary to dry the foundation within 28 days. During this period, the concrete will reach its grade strength.
Now you can build the porch itself with steps. The simplest option is a brick or blocks, which, after the construction of the entire closed structure, will be lined (see photo above). If it is decided to make a porch of concrete, then it is possible to pour the concrete solution on the filled pillow, laying the armoframe and setting the formwork. That is, in this case, you can do without a foundation.
So, everything is ready to build brick walls. First of all, waterproofing must be applied under the masonry. Do not neglect protective operations, a closed-type vestibule is the first protective barrier to precipitation. The very construction of brick walls is carried out according to standard technology, which is based on the bandage of blocks. Be sure to leave openings for windows and the front door with the installation of lintels or frames. The entrance is determined based on the width of the porch.
Attention! The walls of the closed porch must be attached to the walls of the building.
Therefore, every five rows of bricks, metal pins from reinforcement must be driven into the facade of the house. The pin must be at least 30 cm long, it must be located between the bricks.
The matter remains behind the roof. As mentioned above, it must be attached to the facade of the main building. But since our porch is built of bricks (a very reliable wall material), it can be installed directly on the walls of a closed porch. Most often, this is a wooden structure, consisting of a supporting tier of beams, which are mounted around the perimeter of the room. By the way, the timber, located at the entrance to the house, is attached to the wall. The rest to the walls of the extension.
If a shed roof is being erected over the porch, then another such wooden element is hung and fixed above the supporting beam at the facade. The rafters are mounted on which the roofing material is laid. The last stage is the interior decoration. Everything is at the discretion of the customer, although projects in this regard may differ in great originality. By the way, do not forget to hem the ceiling, although you can do without it if the porch is unheated. Before finishing, windows and a door to the entrance are installed, lighting is provided.
As mentioned above, private developers are increasingly using the latest materials in the construction of their homes. Polycarbonate is one of them. It is durable, transparent and easy to process (cut, bent), so it is very easy to make a closed porch from it with your own hands. The only thing is that under it it is necessary to build a wooden or metal structure. The second option is stronger, but more expensive.
