Bungalow Porch Guide

Can You Put a Porch on a Bungalow?

Yes, it is possible to get a porch built for your bungalow. Properly designed and planned, a porch will make your entrance more inviting and give you lots of additional space, complementing the one-floor structure of your bungalow.

There are plenty of porch designs suitable for bungalows, from a plain open porch to an enclosed porch. It is essential that your choice of porch will suit the roofline, dimensions and style of your building.

Quick Answer

A porch can work really well on a bungalow

  • Helps to create a more defined entrance
  • Provides shelter and extra protection from the weather
  • Can add extra storage space to your home
  • Works with both modern and traditional designs
  • Can help to improve the appearance of the bungalow
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The Short Answer

Yes, you can have a porch installed to a bungalow

The bungalow might include an open porch or an enclosed porch near the entry point. In bungalows, due to their lower roofline, the porch roof design and dimensions must be considered such that they complement the house in appearance.

The addition of a proper porch is not only aesthetically pleasing but may also serve as protection and a useful place to keep coats, shoes, and umbrellas.

Why Add One?

Benefits of Adding a Porch to a Bungalow

A Porch can be a good addition and make a very good choice as far as its construction on a bungalow is concerned, provided that it is designed and sized properly according to the property.

01

Improved Appearance

The porch can bring in an architectural element to the exterior façade of the bungalow. It can help in breaking the façade of the bungalow and give it a refined appearance.

02

Increased Functionality

An enclosed porch can be very useful for extra space for storing shoes, coats and umbrellas whilst always helping to keep everyday clutter away from the main hallway.

03

Extra Shelter

Both enclosed porch designs and open designs can provide additional protection from wind and rain when entering your home.

04

Added Kerb Appeal

A well built porch can make the front of the property feel like an attractive entrance and more complete for homeowners.

Porch Styles

Types of Porches for Bungalows

Different porch designs can work well with a bungalow. The right porch choice will depend on the available space, style of the property and how you want to use the entrance.

Enclosed

Enclosed Porch

An enclosed porch with doors and glazing helps to create a protected home entrance and provide useful storage space.

The enclosed porch style can work really well for homeowners who want more space between the outside and the main entrance.

Traditional

Open Porch

Open porch concept is the one where the roof is held up by columns or pillars without closing off an area into a room.

Such design can also provide cover without significantly altering the entrance space.

Contemporary

Flat Roof Porch

A Flat roof porch is the one which can suit a bungalow structure perfectly well.

Clean lines can make the style suitable for updated and modern properties.

Feature

Gable-End Porch

A gable-end porch adds a much more stronger architectural feature to the entrance.

A carefully designed pitched roof can match the existing roofline of the bungalow and also help to feel like part of the original property.

Getting The Design Right

Design Considerations for a Bungalow Porch

Bungalows can have different proportions compared to two-storey homes, because of this a porch has to be designed with the current building in mind.

01

Match the Architecture

Consider the existing windows, roof, brickwork, doors, exterior finishes and render. Use materials and colours that can help the porch feel and look like more of a natural part of the bungalow.

02

Consider Proportion and Scale

Avoid making the porch to tall or large. A design should be proportional to the bungalow and will sit more defined against a single-storey profile.

03

Think About Natural Light

Sidelights, windows and glazed panels can all help to prevent an enclosed porch from feeling too dark whilst creating a brighter entrance for your home.

04

Plan for Accessibility

Suitable door widths, low thresholds and easy access should also be considered when designing a new entrance, especially where accessible access is important.

Planning Your Project

Does a Porch on a Bungalow Need Planning Permission?

For a building in the United Kingdom, construction of a porch might be included within the rights of permitted development provided that certain criteria are met.

The permitted development limits for a porch are shown below.

Important: The rules of planning may affect areas as well as individual buildings. Building regulations and planning consents are two separate factors to be considered. Always ensure that you understand the rules regarding your specific property.
3m²
Maximum Ground Area

Measured externally.

3m
Maximum Height

No part of the porch build should exceed this height

2m
Highway Boundary

No part of the porch should be within 2 metres of a boundary

View Porch Planning Guidance
Practical Ideas

How to Make the Most of a Bungalow Porch

Smaller details can help make a porch blend in with the bungalow and feel more useful.

01

Add Decorative Elements

Finishing, exterior lighting and plants can give the entrance much more character without making the porch feel overcrowded.

02

Choose Suitable Materials

Select materials that complement the bungalow and that can cope with exposure to british weather.

03

Incorporate Windows

Sidelights, porch windows or glazed areas can help with natural light and create a brighter entrance.

04

Create Useful Storage

The added space allows for shoe storage, seating or somewhere to hang coats. Making an enclosed porch more useful day to day.

Porches from St Helens Windows

Choose a Porch That Complements Your Bungalow

A bungalow porch should be designed so that it belongs with the property rather than looking like an oversized extension.

At St Helens Windows, we can help you find the right porch for your home, including porch styles, doors, glazing and finishes to help create an entrance that works.

Explore Our Porch Options
Style Pick a design that will suit your bungalow.
Glazing Helps to bring more natural light into the home
Doors Add a composite door to modernise the porch entrance
Finishes Coordinate colours and materials with your home.
Common Questions

Bungalow Porch FAQs

Can you put a porch on a bungalow?

Yes, enclosed and open porches can be both installed to bungalows. The materials, roof design, size and height should be picked carefully so that the porch remains proportional to the property.

Does a bungalow porch need planning permission?

In England, a porch can often fall within permitted development rights when it meets the relevant limits, including an external ground area no greater than 3m², a maximum height of 3m and the rules relating to proximity to a highway boundary. Restrictions can still apply, so requirements should be checked for the individual property.

What style of porch works best on a bungalow?

Open, enclosed, gable-end, flat roof porches can all work really well. The best porch choice depends on the bungalow's available space, roofline, architecture and the main purpose of the porch.

Can a porch provide extra storage?

An enclosed porch can provide useful space for everyday items such as shoes, coats and umbrellas. Storage should be planned around the available floor space so that access remains comfortable. An enclosed porch can add useful space for everyday use for items such as coats, shoes and umbrellas. Storage should be planned out accordingly to the available space.

Should a bungalow porch match the existing house?

It doesn't need to be identical, however matching the roofline, glazing, colours, proportions and exterior materials can really help to make the new porch sit more natural with the bungalow.

Planning a New Porch?

Transform the Entrance to Your Bungalow

Explore porch choices from St Helens Windows and find a style that suits your bungalow while creating a more welcoming entrance.