Back Porch Design
With the demo work on the old porch largely done a month ago, we've been playing with designs ever since. Actually, we'd been thinking about it quite a bit longer and we'd collected some photos for design ideas over the years. This was really just the first time we'd tried to put those random ideas in to a single design.
So, here's what our back porch is supposed to look like when all is said and done.
Here's the front view.
We've gotten agreement on the basics of this design and there are some things we really like. The spindles in sets of three was Jeannie's idea. We're also digging the semi-enclosed sides that create a little bit of privacy and also a slightly cozy feel without giving up much open air.
We're still debating a few things, too. One major item is screens--we've gone back and forth. This design lends itself to skipping on the screens, but we visited some friends over the weekend who have a really great screened-in porch so I think it's an open item again. We've got some time to decide but not long--our friend TK is planning to come over and get started this week.
PS: We've mentioned it before here on the blog but it seems worth saying again...Google's free SketchUp is great for DIYers. It's a powerful tool that's surprisingly easy to use with a reasonable learning curve, but powerful enough that our architect friends use it for early stage design work on major projects. Making this porch design was relatively easy, especially given the simple Craftsman lines. It's been a good way to put our ideas down and get a sense of the space that we can easily play with before we commit.
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Comments
So glad you are back, I missed you. Like the design, just a suggestion. If you decide to go with screened in porch, I have seen it designed with the stairs to one side, and then enclose just the area to the side of the stairs. When coming up the stairs, you could enter the house, or chose to turn into the screened in area. Also, leaves more of an outdoor living room, without the flow through of traffic. Just a thought. It is a hassle to try to have another door at the top of the stairs.(If you screened it.) I once lived in Chicago, and used the unscreened back porch all the time, and I do not remember bugs being an issue at all. Now I live in a small town, and the bats love to dart in and out of the porch,so still no mosquitos! I have 3 porches, one of which is an enclosed 3 season porch.That is the one we never sit in-but it become the shoe storage area, extra coat closet, extra refrigerator at the holidays, and a drop off area for the things that people leave us, or things that need to go somewhere. It is not pretty, but sure is practical. We sit and play SCRABBLE on the front porch, and hang laundry off the other side porch. Welcome Back!
Posted by: Tammy | October 7, 2009 10:23 PM
Sooo glad you're back! I missed you guys!
I have to say, a screened porch is one of my dreams. Having now bought and sold three houses without one, I am making it a priority for my next house. Whatever you choose will be great - love the spindles!
Posted by: Jeni | October 23, 2009 8:09 PM
Great job on SketchUp! I recognized the dude you used for size illustration. I've designed my office in about an hour or so using SketchUp and the free Ikea libraries, then went to the store and bought pretty much all the parts I needed. The good people that provided the library have included all the required Ikea part numbers. So, yes, it's usefulness is greatly increased by libraries and drawings that other users contribute.
But that was before I switched to Linux. No SketchUp for me anymore, back to sketching by hand ...
Posted by: Sketching by hand | November 4, 2009 6:26 PM
Great job on SketchUp! I recognized the dude you used for size illustration. I've designed my office in about an hour or so using SketchUp and the free Ikea libraries, then went to the store and bought pretty much all the parts I needed. The good people that provided the library have included all the required Ikea part numbers. So, yes, it's usefulness is greatly increased by libraries and drawings that other users contribute.
But that was before I switched to Linux. No SketchUp for me anymore, back to sketching by hand ...
Posted by: Sketching by hand | November 4, 2009 6:27 PM