To provide a bit of protection from the weather and to create outdoor living space, some houses will have porches, porticos or verandas - structures that offer a transition space from exterior to interior.

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SAFETY NOTE: Consult a structural expert in any kind of work that involves porches, decks, verandas or porticos

DEFINITIONS:

• Porch: A small exterior covered or uncovered platform (i.e. a deck) that is usually only on one side of a building
• Veranda: A large exterior covered platform that wraps around two or more walls of a building
• Portico: An exterior entry covering with columns and gable style roof. A large version called a Port-Cochere(pronounced co-SHARE - see picture below) covers the entry driveway, allowing occupants to leave their carriage without getting wet.

Characteristics of Porches, Porticos and Verandas:

• May be attached to the building or independently supported by a separate foundation (e.g. concrete piers).
  • SPECIAL NOTE: a deck or porch in frost prone areas MUST have a foundation that is frost-protected if it is attached to a building.
• Deck structures may be constructed using treated lumber - moisture and insect resistant chemicals are impregnated in the wood to increase durability. Be cautious in handling or working with this type of wood!
  • LEARN MORE - Staying Safe Around Treated Wood.
• Inspection may reveal if an exterior structure is pulling away from the building. Watch for cracks in brick, concrete and stone and/or bulges and warps in walls.
• Water drainage off and away may incorporate flashing materials, sloped surfaces and eavestrough.
• Inspect for signs of rot or deterioration at any flat surfaces where water may collect, or where two different materials connect (e.g. wood and stone).