Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 4/22/2008

Question
Hi Ted,

I've built a 24x16 cabin and I am wondering what  porch design would  best suit this cottage. The cabin will be finished with horizontal cedar cove type siding. The front door is centered on the 24' side, and the gable ends are on the 16' sides. Directly above the door is a dormer whose fascia and soffits connect with the roof's fascia and soffits (ie it is not a dog house dormer). The porch  will require a seperate roof and will be 3' off the ground. I am considering both a small porch which does not block the southern light that enters through the two windows on either side of the front door (thus allowing for a 9' wide porch) or a full 24' wide porch. I suppose my main questions are - what kind of roof line, and what general style of porch would you recommend?
Thanks,
Shawn

Answer
Shawn-

Congratulations on your new cabin.  As for your porch design, my answer would depend on several factors.

1. What do you intend to use the porch for?  Will it be screened or open?

2. What are the rooms which look out the south windows?  How much light do they get from other windows?  Is the area heavily wooded?

3. What is your roof pitch?  What is your eave height?

Generally speaking, I wouldn't like to shade all of the cabin's south windows.  Another option that you didn't mention is to build a 16' or so porch to one side of the main entry.  This would break up the extreme symmetry of your entry and dormer both being on centerline.  (There may, of course, already be other elements resolving this possible "over-symmetry", like a chimney, grade change, etc.).

If your roof pitch and eaves are fairly high, and your desired porch small, you might be able to work out a gabled porch that extends forward.  It might be more successful, again, to move this porch slightly off-center, perhaps aligning/adjoining one slope of the roof with the dormer roof above.

A shallow shed porch along the entire 24' is a possibility if you don't intend to screen it off.  This would allow some light to reach the windows, especially in winter.  As the porch is 3' high you'll need railings, so the sense of entry under the porch eave, between railings, would likely feel great.

I hope these thoughts are helpful.  As always, even a seemingly simple design element depends on everything else around it!  Good luck with your new porch and feel free to follow up with more questions.  -Ted