Here are key portico details to consider:

Columns support the roof and much more. Used for support or added for purely decorative purposes, they are crafted in a variety of materials. Your new portico columns can be simple or elaborate depending on the size of your front stoop. Make it grand with Doric or Corinthian styles or use spandrels on the columns which add character to smaller homes. You can also refresh an existing space with a non-structural, low maintenance PVC portico column that wraps around your existing columns.

Unlike a porch, a portico can feature a cathedral ceiling which can make a small space look more expansive. From classic flat to vaulted, there are 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 bead board ceiling and even paint it a pale blue-green hue. That’s a Southern tradition!

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 establish a look 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.

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.

 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.

Porticos can look simple with a small roof, or elaborate with multiple stories and substantial molding details. Create a bold look by using a roofing material that stands out from the main roof. There are many shingle styles to select from (everything 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 resistant to bad weather. Wood shingles and shakes add elegance but may not be the best choice unless they are fire-resistant.

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 so 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.

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 and features stone pediments with formidable, stained timber posts. They are even popping up on traditional ranch homes, especially mid-century modern ranches, that are ripe for a fresh, amplified entry.