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elginsgirl

Front porch post help!

Our plans called for a post on each side of the front landing. My contractor is telling me they aren’t structural and the LH post will sit almost flush against the wall. I had a rendering done prior to the build and I love having one post on each side for symmetry, but now I’m not entirely sure what will look best. Attached is a very rough mockup with just one post and the yellow would be the landing. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Comments (23)

  • last year

    I like the idea of one post on the right, but if it is just one post, make sure to get the best post size that fits the setting, maybe 6". One post will let the beautiful entryway be most visible and not busied up with posts. Leaves space on left for a pretty raised pot of welcoming plants/flowers. As mentioned above, can add another post later if it bugs you.

  • PRO
    last year

    Show what was planned.

  • last year

    Here is a rendering along with an example of how I want the post finished.

  • last year

    I think one post will look best (your roof is not symmetrical like the bottom photo since the side of it dies into the adjoining roof/structure)


    also gutters are not on yet and that will impact how that left side looks

  • last year

    @la_la Girl that is true. I didn’t think about the gutters. I guess part of the issue is visualizing just one post.

  • last year

    As lalagirl said, I think a post on the left will call attention to the asymmetrical aspect of your porch roof.

  • last year

    One post. Two will look like a cramped mistake. Like you had a two post porch and added on to your house too close to it.

  • PRO
    last year

    It is not constructed as the rendering shows, but then it would be difficult to build without the beam that is constructed.

    The mass of the garage takes the place of the column on the left, and the space between the left column and the wall could cause problems in the future. You could build a pilaster on the left, which would basically be half a column adhered to the wall, but for simplicity sake just go with one column on the right. S stucco finished column may be the most cohesive.

  • last year

    Yes, the contractor suggested covering it in stucco. Maybe that would look best.

  • last year

    If the cantilever on the right side was properly engineered there isn't a need for any posts. The only reason people even use posts is to support overhead construction and if you don't need it don't put any in. Looks great without any posts.

  • PRO
    last year

    I think it would look awkward without the column.

    It is difficult to tell by the images, but the intersection between the left side of the stoop roof and the right side of the garage roof would cause a horizontal valley or at least a couple low sloped valleys that could cause issues in the future.


  • last year

    We have two posts and I like it better than one. Sorry pic is in dark.

  • PRO
    last year

    Not quite sure how the column is attached now that the beam extends out to hold up the canopy, but I'm sure there is a way to do it. Like the others have stated since the canopy is not symmetrical only one column seems appropriate.


  • last year

    I guess 1 is best and possibly covered in stucco so it doesn’t stand out as much.

  • last year

    We ended up with one. I don’t love the size, but any ideas how to spruce up the front porch?

  • last year

    i could see a larger/taller planter on the right side - landscaping will help for sure, any chance to widen the walk so it meets the width of the stairs?

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    What lala said - the sidewalk looks quite wrong. It should be centered with the door (at least as wide as the door + sidelights) or the full width of the steps.

    And your post is skinny.

    Any plans for a nice hanging light? Or a BIG colorful rug?

  • last year

    This is an addition that covers our initial walk way. Once construction is complete we will look into installing pavers and landscaping. This will resolve the muddy mess leading to the stairs and of course widen the walk etc.

  • last year

    I don't think that's the walk, at least I hope not! It looks more like temporary plywood put down so one can navigate the sea of mud.


    But in any event, the walk needs to be centered on the door. That not only looks better it provides a planting area to soften the long stretch of wall. Here's the same thing going along a garage wall.


  • last year

    I imagine we will do something like this with landscaping in front of the window to the right. I still don’t love the skinny post and porch area in comparison to the rendering. Hopefully once the lights are in etc it’ll look better.

  • PRO
    last year

    Be sure to properly manage the rainwater coming off the garage roof. Too many times I have seen downspouts running horizontally across the top of the walkway.

  • last year

    Yes, gutters are coming up soon and I’ll make sure