At first glance, a porch might seem like one of the simplest additions you can make to a home: a small roof over the front door, perhaps some walls and a second door, and somewhere to take off wet coats before you step inside.
But whether you’re adding one to an existing house or designing it into a self-build, it’s worth being honest about what you need it to do before you start scrolling through porch ideas or getting quotes from builders. Get the size, layout or position wrong and a porch can leave your entrance darker, more cramped and no more practical than before, after costing you thousands of pounds.
We asked a buying agent and a panel of building experts for the questions every homeowner and self-builder should answer first.
1. How much space do you really need?
Before thinking about the design, consider what your porch needs to accommodate. Robin Edwards, a buying agent at Curetons Property Finders, suggests starting with a list of what you want to keep there. “Somewhere secure to leave parcels, muddy shoes or a pushchair can be genuinely useful, provided the porch is large enough to function properly,” he says.
It's a balance that's easy to get wrong, particularly with small porches. There may be room for the family’s boots, for example, but not the pushchair, or space to leave a delivery without blocking the entrance. Either way, a porch that's too cramped can quickly become more of an obstacle than a useful addition.
Door clearance is another detail worth considering early on. It's one of the most common porch mistakes, says Luke Burford, co-founder of Compare Builders. “You need room to step inside, shut the door and take your shoes off without fighting the other door or a shoe rack,” he says. “Mark out the internal space and both door swings before committing.”
A simple way to test the layout is to mark the proposed footprint on the ground using masking tape or chalk, including the space needed for both doors to open. Step inside with a bag of shopping and see how easily you can move around. Don't forget to account for the depth of any shoe bench or wall-mounted storage either. Even relatively slim furniture can eat into the available floor space, so it's worth looking at porch storage ideas before settling on a layout.
For further guidance on dimensions and clearances, see our guide to how big a porch needs to be.
Porch essentials to make life easier
No room inside your porch? No problem. This easy to install parcel box features an anti-fishing design so parcels can only be retrieved from the holding compartment using your unique key.
Short on floor space? At just 30cm deep, this padded bench gives you somewhere to sit while you pull your boots on. Shoes go on the open shelves below, and there’s a hidden compartment under the seat for everything else.
Robin has over 20 years experience across the prime and super prime Central London property markets working for some of the capital’s biggest and most respected companies within the industry.
Luke Burford is co-founder of Compare Builders, which matches homeowners across England and Wales with vetted builders for projects ranging from porches and extensions to full renovations.
2. Is an enclosed porch worth the extra cost over an open one?
You may be weighing up an enclosed vs an open porch based on looks and budget. If so, experts suggest asking yourself a few practical questions before you commit.
The first is what problem you’re actually trying to solve. “If you mainly want somewhere to shelter while you’re looking for your keys, or something to protect the front door from the rain, then an open porch can work just fine,” says Scott Godfrey, construction trade consultant at Black Hammer. “If you’re constantly dealing with cold draughts when people enter and leave the house, an enclosed design may be worth the investment.”
Next, think about whether you need somewhere secure. If parcels are regularly left on your doorstep, or you want to keep a pushchair or bikes out of sight, an enclosed design is the only real option. An enclosed porch “provides a secure space for deliveries and storage, which an open porch can’t do,” says Joe Burton, interior and exterior expert at The Brick Tile Co.
Finally, ask yourself whether you can justify the extra build cost. “An open porch might only require a relatively simple roof structure with supporting posts, but an enclosed porch needs walls or glazing, an additional external door and potentially more substantial foundations, and all of that racks up the cost,” says Scott. Our guide to porch costs shows how the figures compare.
Scott Godfrey is a master craftsman with over 20 years of experience in carpentry and joinery. His portfolio includes bespoke projects ranging from fully fitted kitchens and shelving to leading large-scale ventures, including luxury home builds and extensive renovations.
Joe has specialised in brick slips since 2019, helping thousands of UK homeowners and installers choose finishes that suit their homes. That includes matching new additions, such as porches and extensions, to existing brickwork so they look like part of the original house.
3. Are you prepared for the upkeep?
Whichever style you choose, a porch is another structure to look after, so think about maintenance before you build. The weak spot is usually where the new structure meets the old. “The seam where the porch meets the house wall can be a hotspot for leaks, and if not installed correctly water can seep into the main structure of your home,” warns Mark Irving, building expert at Build & Plumb.
An additional roof also means more guttering to maintain. “If these sit close to overhanging trees, they can clog quickly and be hard to clean,” Mark adds. A gutter guard could therefore save you a regular cleaning job.
Your choice of materials is equally important. uPVC needs very little upkeep, but if you’re drawn to the character of oak framed porches, be aware that the timber will need regular treatment to stay protected.
With over 20 years of experience in the building sector, Mark led Build & Plumb’s expansion into online marketplaces. Over the years working for Build & Plumb, Mark has developed a wealth of knowledge surrounding building and renovating that he enjoys sharing with others who are looking to complete their own building projects.
4. Will it block light into your hallway?
How much daylight does your hallway get now, and where does it come from? A glazed front door or side panel often does more work than you realise, and your new porch will sit directly in front of it. That’s why it's important to consider natural light before settling on a design.
“A poorly designed porch can block light into the hallway, making the entrance feel darker rather than more welcoming,” says Joe Burton. The roof and walls make the biggest difference. “A deep roof or solid side walls can leave the hallway noticeably darker,” adds Luke Burford. This is particularly important if your hallway faces north or already needs artificial light during the day.
If light is a concern, glazed side panels, a glass roof or a rooflight can all help. A partially open design, like many modern porch ideas, can keep the entrance bright without fully enclosing it. Bear in mind, though, that too much glazing can make a porch uncomfortably hot in summer, particularly if it faces south or west, so aim for a balance.
Shop for porch lighting
A classic choice for either side of the front door. This lantern pairs a powder-coated black aluminium frame with clear glass, and it’s rated IP44, so it can stand up to the British weather.
At just over 18cm tall, this slim black wall light casts light both up and down, picking out the texture of brick, render or timber cladding without overpowering the entrance.
5. Will it suit the architecture of your home?
Consider what gives your home its character – is it the brickwork, the roof pitch or the style of the windows? Would a porch complement those features or compete with them? A porch is the first thing people see when they arrive, so it needs to look as though it has always been there.
“A porch that doesn’t suit the style or proportions of the house can look like an afterthought, which can actually detract from kerb appeal rather than enhance it,” says Joe Burton. “The trick is to treat it as part of the architecture, not something bolted on.”
Luke Burford agrees that the details make all the difference. “The proportions, roof pitch and materials also need to suit the house,” he says. On a period home, that could mean matching the brickwork and roof tiles or picking up on original features – something the most successful entrance design ideas tend to do. On a contemporary home, a crisp flat roof porch will often sit more comfortably than a traditional pitched design.
6. Do you need planning permission or building regulations approval?
Thankfully, many porches can be built without a planning application. In England, a porch generally falls under permitted development if its ground area is no more than 3sqm (measured externally), it isn’t within 2m of a boundary next to a highway, and no part of it is higher than 3m. That last rule is easy to forget if you’ve set your heart on a steeply pitched roof, so check how high a porch can be early on.
Not every home benefits from these rights, though. “Although many smaller porches fall within permitted development rights, that isn’t always the case, particularly with listed buildings,” says Robin Edwards. If you live in a conservation area, or your home’s permitted development rights have been removed, you may need porch planning permission for even a modest design.
Building regulations are a separate hurdle, and one that catches many homeowners out. Porch building regulations don’t usually apply if the porch is under 30sqm and your existing front door stays in place, but adding electrics or heating can change that. “Missing approvals can create unnecessary complications when selling, so it’s worth getting everything in order before starting work,” Robin warns.
7. Will a porch add value to your home?
It’s tempting to assume a porch adds value simply by being there, but Robin Edwards urges caution. “In my experience, a porch is generally a nice-to-have rather than something buyers will pay a significant premium for,” he says. “I certainly wouldn’t advise homeowners to spend £10,000 on a porch expecting it to add £10,000 to their property’s value.
There are exceptions, though. “On some properties, like smaller Victorian terraces, where the front door opens straight into the living room, an enclosed porch can make a real difference,” Robin explains. “It provides privacy, helps keep draughts out and gives you somewhere to leave coats and shoes.”
Get it wrong, however, and a porch can work against you. A cheap-looking addition to a period home “can completely spoil the appearance of a property,” Robin warns. He's equally alert to poor workmanship: “When viewing properties, I always pay attention to draughts around the entrance, condensation on glazing and doors that don’t close properly.” Ultimately, a well-built porch might help your home sell, but a poorly built one could just as easily put buyers off.
If you can answer these seven questions with confidence, you’ll know whether a porch is right for your home, and what kind to build. As Robin Edwards puts it, “a well-designed porch can be a lovely addition, but a poorly executed one can be an expensive renovation mistake.”
