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Tip Sheet #3/ Adding A Front Porch 3 . Porch Design Guidelines The following are general guidelines and criteria that will help you in the planning, design and construction of your porch addition. General Form The form of your porch addition is the outer shape created by the exterior walls and roof. The form of the addition should be appropriate and compatible to the form of your existing home. See specific recommendations for two story, one and one-half story and rambler style homes in the following page. Roofs The roof of your porch addition should be properly proportioned in shape and pitch to the rooflines of the existing house. Roofing materials should match as closely as possible to the materials of the existing home. Exterior Walls The exterior walls are considered to be those exterior surfaces from the floor line to the ceiling of the porch. This surface is to be at least 65 percent open and 35 percent solid. The open surfaces are to be open air or occupied by operable windows, screens and/or full lite doors. The solid surfaces are to be exterior materials that are consistent or complementary in color, texture and quality to those of the front of the existing home. Floors . Open-air porches must have floors of durable exterior grade materials such as concrete, painted solid wood or brick. Enclosed porches may have flooring materials such as tile, wood, vinyl and exterior grade carpet. Ceilings Open-air porches must have ceilings of durable exterior grade materials such as beadboard or painted or stained wood. Enclosed porches may have ceiling materials of sheet rock, paneling material or wood. Columns Structural columns should be clad in finish grade, wood trim or be a decorative shape that is compatible with the design of the existing house. The columns should be expressed on the exterior of the porch to help articulate the porch facade. Railings The height and spacing of railing must meet the requirements of the City of Richfield. Acceptable railing materials are painted or stained wood and painted metal. The design of the railing assembly should be compatible with the details 01 the existing house. Landscaping Integrating your porch addition into your yard is as important as its integration to your house. Plant materials and landscape features should transition the porch into your yard, providing a visual base. Landscaping could also be placed along the entry path. . -- ----,~~~-- Richfield Rediscovered New Life For Old Homes Questions? Call the Remodeling Advisor a.t 612~61-9772 I www.ci.richjield.mn.us , ,