What Type Of Porch Is Best?

The best porch can depend on several factors including style of the house, the current space around your entrance and how you wish to use the porch. Most homeowners want a simple designed porch that provides shelter and practicality, whilst others might prefer a design that adds more character and improves kerb appeal.

In the United Kingdom, popular porch styles include, flat roof porches, gable end porches, double hipped porches and pitched roof porches. Each style has its own different look and works best for different types of properties.

In this article, we will look at the different porch types and explain how each style may suit your property best.

Quick Answer: What Type Of Porch Is Best?

For most UK homeowners, a gable end porch or a pitched roof porch are often picking as the best choice because they provide good weather protection and they suit most home styles.

A flat roof porch can also work well on smaller entrance or modern homes, while double hipped porches may be more suited to a larger home that needs a balanced and impressive entrance.

Best Porch Types For UK Homes

There is not just one porch design that works for every home. The type of porch will depend on the property roofline, style, entrance size and how you wish to use the space.

Gable End Porch

The triangular roof shape is a signature of the gable end porch that helps to create a strong and traditional entrance.

Traditional homes
Pitched roof properties
Stronger kerb appeal
Classic entrances
Excellent weather protection

Flat Roof Porch

A flat roofed porch has a more simpler and modern appearance. It works really well with smaller entrances and modern homes.

Modern homes
Smaller entrances
Simple porch designs
Lower-profile appearance
Practical shelter

Pitched Roof Porch

A pitched roof porch design is practical and versatile and is one of the most popular choice for UK homes.

Most UK homes
Weather protection
Traditional and suburban homes
Matching roof tiles
Practical everyday use

Double Hipped Porch

A double hipped porch is a much more detailed roof shape, creating an impressive and balanced entrance.

Larger entrances
Detached homes
Balanced roof designs
Impressive entrances
Properties with more space

Which Porch Type Is Best For Your Home?

Home Type Or Need	Best Porch Type	Why It Works
Traditional home	Gable end porch	Classic roof shape that suits pitched roof properties
Modern home	Flat roof porch	Clean and simple appearance
Most UK homes	Pitched roof porch	Practical, versatile and good for weather protection
Larger entrance	Double hipped porch	Creates a more balanced and impressive design
Small entrance	Flat roof or pitched roof porch	Adds shelter without overpowering the home
Extra storage	Enclosed porch	Creates useful space for shoes, coats and storage

Best Porch For A Traditional Home

For a traditional property, a pitched roof porch or a gable end porch is usually a good choice. These design styles often suit suburban homes, houses with pitched rooflines and traditional properties.

Matching the brickwork, frame colours and roof tiles to the rest of the home will help to make the porch match the property.

Best Porch For A Modern Home

For modern homes, a flat roof porch can be a good choice because it is simpler in appearance and cleaner. A flat roof works really well with homes that already have smooth render, modern doors, straight lines or contemporary windows.

Clean frames, simple glazing and a neat roofline can help to create the best result.

Best Porch For Weather Protection

For weather protection, a gable end porch or a pitched roof porch can be a practical choice. The pitched sloped roof can help rainwater run away from the property.

An enclosed porch can provide additional protection and is very useful for coats, parcels, shoes and keeping the home entrance tidy.

View our front doors and composite doors →

Best Porch For Extra Storage

An enclosed porch is the best if storage is one of your main choices. It can help to create more space for coats, bags, shoes, umbrellas and other everday items.

These can be very helpful for properties with a smaller entrance and family homes.

See our side porch ideas for more options →

Open Porch vs Enclosed Porch

Porch Type	Best For	Main Benefit
Open Porch	Kerb appeal and shelter	Frames the entrance without enclosing the space
Enclosed Porch	Storage and practicality	Creates extra usable entrance space
Part-Glazed Porch	Light and shelter	Adds protection while keeping the entrance bright
Porch With Composite Door	Security and insulation	Creates a stronger entrance area

Match Your Home Style

Choose a porch design that will suit the shape, age and appearance of your home.

Think About Space

A smaller entrance may need something that is more simpler, whilst a larger home can handle alot more detail.

Consider Practical Use

Consider whether you want storage, shelter, extra layer of security or a simply a looking front entrance.

Choose Suitable Materials

Glazing, roof tiles, brickwork and frame colours should all work with the style of your current home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions about choosing the best porch type for your home.

What type of porch is best?

The best kind of porch really depends on your home and you wish to use the space. Gable end porches and pitched roof porches are very popular choices for traditional homes, while a flat roof porch would suit modern properties.

What is the most popular porch style?

Gable end porches and pitched roof porches are becoming popular because they often suit most UK homes and provide good weather protection from the elements.

Is a flat roof porch a good idea?

A flat porch roof is a more common choice for modern properties, properties with a low profile design and smaller entrances.

Is an enclosed porch better than an open porch?

An enclosed porch is better if you need extra storage space, a more practical entrance or weather protection. An open porch may be better if you just want a shelter and added kerb appeal.

What porch is best for a small house?

For a small house, a flat roof porch or simple pitched roof porch can work well because both can add shelter without overpowering the front of the property. For a smaller house, a simple pitched roof porch or a flat roof porch can work well because it can add shelter without drastically changing the front of your home.

Can a porch add value to a home?

A well designed porch can really make the entrance more practical as well as enhance kerb appeal, which may make the property attractive to buyers.

Porches For UK Homes

At St Helens Windows, we design and install a wide range of porches to suit a wide range of properties.

Whether you are looking for a traditional pitched roof porch, a simple flat roof porch, a enclosed porch for extra storage, or a gable end design, our team can help find the best solution for your property.

Get intouch with us today to discuss porch styles, doors, glazing, frame colours and roof options for your home.

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01744 611203