the size of the front door, lights at the profile entrance and the shape of the roof,” he says. “If there is a window directly above the front door, that would prohibit us from doing a peaked roof, so we can build a portico with Charm & Character a flat roof and maybe a baluster railing on top.” Bring visual interest to the front of your home with a porch or portico Porches have fewer limitations and can be and the expertise of Gehman Design Remodeling. by Liz Hunter added to all variety of homes, says Gehman. “The only limitations we may face are existing door and window locations and how they would interfere with the style the homeowner wanted, and some - times there may be zoning issues.” All of these can be addressed in the design process. The columns and railings of a porch play a key role in the planning. “The columns are structural to hold up the new roof, but we don’t want more than is necessary. They should be functional and decorative,” says Gehman. “The trend these days is toward larger posts, 8 to 12 inches—but proportionate to the overall size of the porch and round, square, flat, smooth, fluted—the sky’s the limit.” Remember when life was lived at a slower depends on various elements, from the style Railings themselves are decorative, but pace, when there was time to sit and enjoy of a home to the budget. Depending on the often required by code. “Some people may a cup of coffee as opposed to grabbing it on style; porticos, says Gehman, run $10,000 - want an open porch without a railing, but if the go? Many of us love the idea of slowing $30,000 with porches approximately $25,000 a porch is greater than 30 inches above the down, and a perfect place to do so would be - $50,000. If you don’t truly see yourself sit - ground, a railing is required,” says Gehman. sitting out on your home’s porch—if only you ting out on the porch, then a portico might be Your choice of flooring is another way to had one. a better option. make your porch or portico welcoming to Porches and porticos are not usually “It’s a delicate balance to work with what guests arriving at your home. Wood floor - included on houses, but can almost always be a homeowner wants, but also explain func - boards are seldom used because of their main - added, says Dennis Gehman, Master Certified tionality and structurally why something tenance, and concrete, while the least expen - Remodeler (MCR) and co-founder of Gehman may not work,” he says. “But this industry is sive, is not as homey and warm, says Gehman. Design Remodeling. Since 1990, GDR has very visual, and we have project photos we can “There are composite materials that look like been providing design/build services including show where we worked on a similar home or traditional porch boards, and nine out of 10 exterior projects such as porches, decks and built a similar style they are interested in. We times we will use that.” Gehman has also seen porticos as well as kitchens, bathrooms, also use 3D design software to show how it a trend toward flagstone slate and pavers. He additions and basements. will look on their home.” adds that homeowners are often unaware that Now that spring is around the corner, Porticos typically work best on a two-story the best size for a functional porch, which homeowners may be thinking of ways to make home, says Gehman. “There are a few things allows for chairs and people to walk around, the front of their home more inviting, not only we’ll examine about the home’s entrance to is 7 feet or more out from the house. to guests, but also to themselves as they enjoy determine the best portico design, including Gehman says the finished product should the warm spring air from the comfort of their look like it’s always been part of the house, front porch. Gehman says porches and por - not an afterthought. “We’ve been doing ticos are a great solution. “These add archi - design/build for almost 30 years, and every tectural interest to the front of the house,” he year we do a number of these,” he says. “We says, “and they also provide covering for a offer that value of design and structural homeowner or visitors in inclement weather needs; start to finish, all with our own as they get into the front door.” employees, no subcontractors.” Homeowners always have the option of Gehman Design Remodeling looking online for inspiration where they’ll find 355 Main St. | Harleysville, Pa. everything from farmhouse and Colonial to Craftsman and ranch style, each with its own (215) 513-0300 | GehmanRemodeling.com personality. Deciding which one is best for you PA Contractor Registration PA-297

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