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Top 10 Common Features that Porch Contractors Should Provide
As one of Charlotte’s most trusted porch contractors, we see more and more of our clients wanting special features for their covered porches. Everything from fireplaces and fire pits to cooking spaces and entertainment centers are being chosen to create outdoor areas that are truly an extension of the home’s interior.
Most of the features people want are things that make it possible to extend the time you spend on the porch.
In this article, we’ll highlight the top 10 porch features that we’ve been seeing more homeowners include in their custom porch building projects.
1. Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Heat Lamps
Whether it is for actual warmth or just ambience, people love putting fireplaces and fire pits on their covered porches. When there is a chill in the air, nothing is better for staying warm and cozy than a fireplace. The atmosphere a fire from a fireplace creates is comforting–even if it is a gas fireplace and not a wood-burning one.
Also, fire pits have become more common in recent years. With the newer types of fire pits that are smokeless and have stands, it is reasonable and safe to use one on the deck or porch. You can even cook on a fire pit. There is a special feeling you relate to cooking on a campfire, and you can get it with a fire pit on your porch.
2. A Place for Dining
Having a place for dining on the porch is a common feature. Creating an eating space on your covered porch just makes sense because time with family and friends usually includes eating. Being mindful of the size of area required for a dining table when designing your covered porch is crucial to ensure that you have ample room for a table and chairs so your guests are comfortable.
3. TV Viewing Area
If your family loves watching sports and movies, you may want to put an outdoor television on your covered porch. The desire to relax outside and be able to keep up with your favorite team at the same time has caused putting a TV on your porch to become very common.
It’s important to consider the sun’s position in the sky and how it will affect the TV’s visibility throughout the day. Even with a covered porch, you may still have the sun as a factor during the day so opt for an outdoor TV with a brighter screen.
4. Comfortable Seating Area
Comfortable seating areas are a common feature on porches, especially if you entertain people at your house. An area that accommodates guests with outdoor sofas and chairs is a must for your porch.
5. Switched Lighting
Lighting on switches is important in creating a safe environment when using the porch at night.
Lights are very common on covered and screen porches–and not just utilitarian overhead lights. People are opting for much prettier lights, for example, sconces by the doors and recessed lighting on ceilings. The popularity of coffered ceilings is increasing as recessed lighting becomes more common.
6. Hidden Electrical Wiring
When you have nice lighting fixtures and lamps on tables, you certainly don’t want exposed wiring to mess up the look of the space. This makes hidden electrical wiring a common feature.
7. Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a common feature for covered porches. They assist in the comfort of the space by both providing a cooling breeze and keeping insects away. You can enhance the look of your porch with just the addition of a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans come in all sorts of styles and sizes to suit any type and size of outdoor space. You can find ceiling fans with lights, and even misting systems and smart controls.
8. Flooring
An attractive floor is a common feature for a covered porch and there are many choices–from concrete, pressure-treated wood, tile, brick, and indoor/outdoor carpet. Many people like indoor/outdoor carpet on a screened porch for the acoustic absorption. As far as choosing wood, there are a variety of pressure-treated woods that work well on a covered porch, with pine making up 80% of all floors. Some other woods that are common include:
- Redwood
- Cedarwood
- Vinyl
- Plastic Wood Composites
- Ceramic Tile
- Porcelain Tile
9. A Ceiling with Interest
Ceilings that add interest–such as coffered, cathedral, stained, and painted–are popular for covered porches. The aesthetic appeal of a non-generic ceiling is undeniable. It adds architectural versatility and interest and improves the space’s acoustics.
If a coffered ceiling isn’t congruent with the style of your house, you can also gain interest by painting or staining the ceiling. This protects the wood, reduces moisture, repels insects like wasps and hornets, and creates a calming effect. Blue is the most common color for a painted ceiling on a porch.
10. Half Walls
Half walls on a screened porch are a practical and aesthetically popular option. A half wall can eliminate the possibility of the screen getting kicked at the bottom over time as well as adding a visual aesthetic to make the porch more interesting. And, the half wall doesn’t have to be solid wood. If you simply want to break up the visual of one long screen, a railing may be the solution.
Use The Best Porch Contractors in Charlotte, Exterior Additions
Have you been thinking about building an Eze Breeze porch, custom deck or custom patio and have kept putting it on the “back burner?” If you are ready to start designing a porch and begin the project or at least get some solid information, reach out to our professional team of local porch contractors at Exterior Additions.
We can give you a FREE quote on the same day! Simply complete the form below to get the ball rolling.
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