Porch Renovation

It’s time for a porch renovation when yours starts to let the entire appearance of your home down. Being tacked on to the exterior of the house, the porch is a focal point because it opens the way for entry into the home and can either welcome or repel those who would like to visit. Even for the occupants, a ratty old porch can make home sweet home far less sweet.

Stand out on the street and take a good long look at your porch. Is the porch roof hanging crookedly or sagging? Are the steps in danger of collapsing beneath someone’s feet? Do the railings look like they wouldn’t stand up to anyone leaning on them?

Sometimes we come and go from our home without really noticing how it looks then all of a sudden, it will dawn on us that there’s some ugliness going on. And not just ugliness, but a real safety hazard right at our doorstep. Bring on the porch renovation.

Structural Repairs

Naturally, the first consideration is the structural integrity of the porch. Loose floor boards, rickety palings, a leaky roof and rotten steps are dangerous and need to be attended to as soon as possible. Check for termites, look for water damage and see what else might be the cause of the disrepair.

These issues will need to be addressed and solved before attempting any cosmetic changes. In fact, during the course of your porch renovation, more extensive problems may come to light but that’s a good thing. You don’t want your house eaten away by termites … if your porch has them, chances are, the rest of the house might.

Don’t attempt any work that is beyond your capabilities, particularly where the structure is concerned. You might need a carpenter, a roofing contractor or a concreter; invest in the money and guarantee yourself a job well done. You can turn your hand to other tasks when they’re done.

A beauty makeover

You can return your porch to its original appearance or update it with a multitude of choices from painting to replacing the railings. Consider different floor coverings, add some security lattice work, screen it in for summer comfort or install roll-down awnings or vinyl to keep the warmth in during winter.

The best place to find ideas for your porch renovation is within the pages of decorating magazines. You’ll drool as you thumb through, and although some ideas may be beyond your budget, you can always adapt them to suit what you can afford, and the style of your home.

Don’t let your porch let you down

It’s amazing how a couple of fresh coats of paint can uplift the entire appearance of a house. If there are no structural problems to contend with, your porch renovation could be as simple as nailing a few lifted floor boards down and painting in a fresh new color. Just by tidying up, rearranging the furniture, painting and adding a few potted plants, you can increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

If the first thing potential buyers see when they approach your house is a sad, tired porch that doesn’t deserve a welcome mat, there won’t be much chance of inviting them inside for an inspection. Fix up that porch for the sake of your family’s – and visitors’ – safety and to give it a new lease on life. It could mean the difference between a sale and no sale.