- Jon Hickox
- November 24, 2017
Improving Your Home’s Exterior With a Custom Portico – Part 3: Design Ideas for Your Custom Portico

Your new portico should draw eyes to your entry door. You can make this possible with the right design considerations. Here are some useful tips:
- Choose a portico design that’s both lovely and functional. While porticos can add personality and curb appeal to your home, they also add practical benefits. For example, a large portico with a roof deck above it can create a bigger impression; this same roof deck can also serve as an outdoor living space where you can spend time with family and guests. A portico can even be large enough to allow cars to fit under, so you or your guests can reach the front door in inclement weather without getting wet.
- Look to your home’s architecture as a guide. Your new portico should match your home’s style for better architectural accuracy. For instance, many Colonial homes feature an arched portico because this is the design most traditionally associated with this distinctive home style. If you have a Ranch-style home, choose a gabled portico. Whenever possible, you should also incorporate into the design of your portico your roof’s pitch, soffit and fascia details, plus materials that appear on your exterior, like stone or brick. The same goes for the columns–make sure they complement your home’s period and style.
- Create balance. Every decorative detail counts when you’re investing in a new portico. Make sure to pick columns and pillars that are proportionate to your home’s exterior. Columns that are too wide, for instance, can make your front door appear awkward. On the other hand, columns that are too flimsy create a slapdash look. For this reason, design your portico so that it properly frames your front door without blocking your upper-level windows.
- Take cues from your home’s color scheme and stonework. You can upgrade your existing concrete steps and stoops with new outdoor tiles and slate. As with the portico itself, just make sure the texture and color matches that of your home’s existing palette and masonry. Adding a new portico offers many design possibilities. When you choose the right options, making your home pop is easy.
A custom portico offers an easy and effective way to spruce up your home. Just make sure to choose a suitable design and work with a dependable installer to ensure you get the most out of your project.
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