What material to use for a porch, aluminum, wooden, or uPVC

June 29, 2020

Front porches not only enhance the appeal of your house but also offer additional security while improving energy savings. Therefore, it is worth the effort to have a well-thought-out porch, which is not only practical but aesthetically pleasing as well.

A lot of people opt for a front or side porch to get extra space. The extra space can be valuable in decluttering the house. You can keep coats, shoes, and similar other items there and ensure the mess is away from home.

This extra space also prevents your energy bills from climbing. The porch ensures that the outer door is closed before the opening of the inner door and vice versa. Thus, heat does not rush out, and your home remains protected from external environmental factors.

What material to use for a porch, aluminum, wooden, or uPVC?

You would undoubtedly want your new porch to be visually appealing, cost-effective, and long-lasting. At the same time, it should not require extensive measurements for maintenance.

If we talk about windows, uPVC is among the most popular choices for window frames for a long time due to its durability and resistance to rotting. It does not require much maintenance, either. However, the thing with this material is that albeit slowly, it does degrade with time and therefore has to be replaced after 20 to 30 years.

Visuals are of immense value. White uPVC is quite popular, but you can also select from a variety of foil colors if you want your front porch to look unique. Foil colors are obtained when the uPVC profile is wrapped in colored foil and baked under pressure and heat. The color then bonds to the material permanently, minimizing the chances of deterioration due to external environmental factors.

You can get a wood-grain surface finish for your porch if you fancy having a look akin to porch having timber frames. This textured foil surface is also durable and resistant to fading.

Production of uPVC is relatively cheap, and the material can be recycled as well. Aluminum and wood are two primary competitors to uPVC for making porches. However, both of these materials are costly. UPVC, on the other hand, reduces your initial costs significantly.

Hardwood, uPVC, and aluminum all are more or less equally long-lasting, provided that adequate maintenance is ensured.

Perhaps the feature that makes uPVC most appealing is that it does not require much maintenance. You do not have to worry about painting or sanding it ever so often. It does not distort like timer either, and it will not swell up due to the absorption of water like wood. It is safe from insects, unlike wood, wherein woodworms can destroy the front porch.

Some problems you might encounter

You will need to work through zoning or home additions. This depends on the area you reside in. Every place has its own set of building codes and regulations. It is advisable that you find more about the rules in your area to work around the restrictions to add a front porch to your house with ease.

Sometimes, materials might make things difficult, especially if you are using rare ones for your construction. This will be costly and will increase the time needed for the project's completion as well.

You need to pay heed to time-constraints and budget. The size of the porch, design detailing, and similar other features will influence the time required for the task and overall cost. Therefore, you will have to make sure that these factors are accounted for if you want to enhance the visual appeal of your house by adding a front porch.

Budget

Building a porch can cost you anywhere between £500 and £5000. Your overall cost depends on the porch's size, materials used, design of the porch, and additions like lighting and furniture. Ensure that you discuss all these factors with your contractor beforehand to make your project cost-effective and timely.