What are your tips for porch design?
by Mark Larson, AIA / Partner
First consider how many seasons you’d like to use your porch, then evaluate the pros and cons. An open-air covered porch provides shelter from the sun and rain, creates a sense of entry, and blocks less daylight than a screen porch during the winter. Adding a ceiling fan can help move air and blow away mosquitos.
A true screen porch provides protection from summer bugs and allows a refreshing cross breeze, but can reduce daylight into the house – locate around the corner from primary views. Consider adding a fireplace to extend the season or pocketing rolling screens that can be lowered or retracted as needed.
A functional four-season porch has become possible with the development of dramatically large operable windows or doors that allow a porch to be heated in the winter, cooled in the summer, and opened as a porch space on beautiful days.
Published in Midwest Home, summer 2023