Portico columns are functional and decorative.

• Columns support the roof and much more.
• Sometimes they are used purely for decorative purposes.
• They are crafted from a variety of materials.
• Columns can be simple or elaborate, depending on the size of your front stoop.
• Grand style options are available, such as Doric or Corinthian columns.
• Spandrels on columns to add character to smaller homes.
• Non-structural, low-maintenance PVC portico column wraps around your existing columns.

Ceilings create a customized look.

• Unlike a porch, a portico can feature a cathedral ceiling, making a small space look more expansive.
• From classic flat to vaulted, there is a menu of options.
• Tongue-and-groove, whether painted or stained, is a popular choice.
• For a more rustic appeal, select an open ceiling with exposed rafters.
• Create a classic look with a beadboard ceiling and paint it a pale blue-green hue. That’s a Southern tradition!

Floors establish style.

• You may wish to update the existing stoop of your portico, especially since it’s one of the first things your guests will notice.
• The floor can set the tone for the portico, whether you use wide-plank wood decking, concrete, tile, or brick.
• There are plenty of colors, designs, textures, and materials to choose from to help you transform your entry.

With railings, the sky’s the limit.

• Portico railings come in several designs and materials.
• The balustrade, which is the entire railing, can be made from a combination of materials and synthetic alternatives such as PVC, which is easy to maintain.
• One of the most popular materials is aluminum, which conveys the historic appeal of iron.

Arches or gables?

• Square colonials benefit from an arched portico addition.
• Gabled porticos can harmonize with a gabled roof ranch-style home.
• A second-story window over your front door will often dictate the type of shape your new portico will feature.

Roof styles offer variety.

• Porticos can look simple with a small roof, or elaborate with multiple stories and substantial molding details.
• Create a bold look using a roofing material that stands out from the main roof.
• There are many shingle styles to choose from (from simple to staggered architectural shingles) that can help define your portico’s design.
• One of the most popular materials is asphalt shingles, consisting of a fiberglass mat between two layers of asphalt.
• Metal roofs are the most durable and weather-resistant.
• Wood shingles and shakes add elegance but may not be the best choice unless they are fire-resistant.

State-of-the-art material adds protection.

• PVC (a low-maintenance material) protects all aspects of your portico, from columns to balustrades.
• PVC column wraps, for example, can be installed around an existing structure.
• If structural posts start to twist, the column wrap will not. Some have the look of painted wood, yet they won’t deteriorate like lumber.

Embellish your portico.

• You can enhance your portico’s look by featuring millwork such as dentil or fluted molding, fish-scale or beaded board siding, exposed or open-tail rafters, and embellishments such as friezes and brackets.
• The Craftsman look is enjoying a huge resurgence, featuring stone pediments and formidable, stained timber posts.
• They are even popping up on traditional ranch homes, especially mid-century modern ranches, ripe for a fresh, amplified entry.