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Architecture/roof type on entablature

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Expert: - 9/6/2010


Question

my humble home
Hi Richard
First, never knew what an entablature was until I read one of your recent question and answer postings!  Very cool--thank you!
Second, with that in mind, is a gabled roof on my yet-to-be-built portico appropriate?  7 ft long and either 4 or 5 ft wide.
Thank you and best regards,
Fernando

Answer
Fernando - thanks for your question!

Yes, I think a gabled roof on your new front porch would look great!  You might do something like this: http://rtastudio.com/Portfolio/Remodeling/Colonial%20Addition/Colonial-Addition....  Be sure to adjust the height to give plenty of clearance for the middle window.  Typically, a pitch of about 5/12 works well for Colonial porches.

Proper proportion and detailing are important - a good source for this information is "Get Your House Right" by Marriane Cusato.

If you use Classical columns, be sure to size the columns correctly; the width of the column at the base should be about 1/7th to 1/9th the height of the column - never narrower than that.  We frequently specify Chadsworth columns (www.columns.com).

Hope this helps,

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
www.rtastudio.blogspot.com  

Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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