Which side of the house should we put a porch on

14 years ago

I am finally getting my dream of a screened porch but I don't know where to out it. Right now the best way to describe our house is a cape cod with a walk out basement in the front because the house in on a hill. We use a basement entrance mostly but company tends to walk up the steps to the main level where there is a large 16x23 deck that also connects to a patio and pool area (we might get rid of the pool anyway in which case this would be a patio and garden area). This side also has the best view of the hillside and farm land across from us. On the opposite side of the house is where the kitchen is and there is more privacy because there are trees on along the front of the property on that side. On this side of the deck is smaller but we would replace it with a porch a bit bigger than we could fit on the other side.

My issues is I wonder if we will use the deck more if it is next to the kitchen, what about the natural light I will loose. I don't love the idea of loosing that but if we put the deck on the other side we will loose the light in our living room. And what about having company enter through the deck? I would love some insight, opinions, thoughts.... Please

Featured Answer

sunnyca_gw

14 years ago

What will you use it for?? Are you big on BBQ from the grill?? A quiet place to settle down & read a book, do you want it mostly open or mostly closed (enclosed) I would think you need to figure out what you want to use it for. Some folks entertain a lot & people would take plate of food out & sit on porch, afternoon coffee & cake, pie or cookies would be enjoyed on nice days outside. A nice glass of lemonade or iced tea & watching hummingbirds or birds at feeder. Do you want to haul food through the LR? Do you have kids or GK's that would be dragging food back & forth through the house. Even if you are going to play board games & sleep or read you usually would want at least a drink handy. So most practical is off the kitchen. If you had a porch on front of house it might allow you to see what's going on in neighborhood or down the road or be more likely to welcome neighbors or friends over to talk awhile. So it depends on what your needs are,whether the porch will be enclosed, have roof over it, as you kept saying"deck" you are only ones who can decide what will work for your family!!So talk it over!! And then plan!! Good Luck!

Comments (6)

john_hyatt
14 years ago
A person should always put the porch close to a door. Makes it a lot better for Folks to get in,and out. J.
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jenocurley
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks sunnyca, I really want to use it for meals and hate the idea of my kids carrying food across my living room so we are going with the kitchen side. That was a really good point about the kids!
cyndo
14 years ago
We put our porch on the back of the house with the door to it from the dining room and two windows from the kitchen. It's on the east side of the house which has turned out to be fantastic because it gets the morning sun, but by 2pm it's completely in the shade and much cooler as a result.
sunnyflies
13 years ago
My mother has a 15' x 15' covered side porch with open railings around it just off her living room which has become the most popular room in the house. People much prefer sitting on it than in the living room, den or kitchen. Light is important. Her's gets southern and western light and is usable almost nine months of the year. It's wonderful at night - unless the bugs become a problem. It used to have screens all around, but people and dogs kept damaging them so she had them removed. I'm looking to put a similar porch on my own house now.
stu2900
13 years ago
We just put a roof over our deck just outside the kitchen/dining area on the north side of the house and it's the best money we ever spent! Because it's on the North side I was worried about losing light in the kitchen area but I really haven't noticed a significant change. We seldom used that deck because it was always so hot. Now we're out there day and night. Good luck!