Porches
Bespoke high specification porches
Providing they fall within the required size limits, and distances away from neighbours and the public highway, the majority of porches can be built without requiring planning permission.
This can make them an easy and painless way of gaining extra space in your home. Most people specify a porch, so they have an area to store coats and muddy shoes, but having a porch also insulates the area around the doorway, leading into the house.
I can help you design your porch, and advise you on what would work best from a construction point of view, and also from how you will live with it. Design details such as the position of opening windows, can make a difference of how enjoyable and practical your porch is.
I have quite an attention to detail with my work, so I typically would manage the whole project from the ground-to-completion. This usually involves me carrying out the ground and preparation work, to ensure the base is how I want it, before installing the uPVC framework.
If you prefer to use your own preferred builders/tradesmen for the basework, this isn’t a problem, as I can just erect the framework and glazing once you’ve notified me it’s ready.
Full Height Or Dwarf Walls?
Full height refers to full height uPVC framework, which is usually the cheaper option, but allows for floor-to-ceiling glazing.
A dwarf wall is built to break up the amount of glazing required, and can also add a bit more character to a porch. Having a dwarf wall allows more options on the inside such as window boards, but the additional brickwork/labour involved, usually adds to the cost.
Roof Covering Options
There are many types of roof coverings you can use. This choice may be down to budget, or you may be trying to replicate something similar on your property. Depending on your situation, you have the choice of a glazed roof or solid roof.
This pre-fabrication typically makes this type of porch cheaper to build, but allows light to come in through the roof.
The following can be used in glazed porch roofs:
- Clear, Opal, Bronze coloured polycarbonate.
- Opal/grey heatshield polycarbonate.
- Active self-cleaning double glazed sealed units.
The following coverings would typically be used on a solid flat roof:
- High performance felt
- Lead/copper/zinc
- Modern coverings such as GRP (fibreglass) and rubber (EPDM)
The following coverings would be used on a pitched roof:
- Tiles
- Slate
Please note that roof tiles/slates have a minimum roof pitch that they can be used on. The steeper the pitch is, the higher the roof needs to be built. This can quite often make the roof higher than the 3 metre limit, and require the porch to have planning permission.
Internal Finishes
The internal walls (and dwarf) could be plastered/rendered, and electric lights/sockets can also be added. The floor would be left level for you to add your own floor covering, but if required I could lay a finished floor, such as ceramic tiles.
Quotation From Me
You may have guessed from reading the above, that while some porches will look similar, they are in fact a bespoke addition to your home. I don’t charge for quotations, so if you are considering a porch, please don’t hesitate to contact me, and I can come and visit you, and go through some ideas/costs with you.
