Front porches began as places to enjoy the warm weather while still being protected from the hot sun or a sudden rainstorm. By the late nineteenth century, porches had become a common design feature on many types of rowhouses. Today, they remain a defining element in many of Lancaster's historic neighborhoods. Matching porches on a row of houses help to visually unify a block. A front porch also allows social interaction with neighbors and passersby, which is an important component in building and maintaining a sense of community in our neighborhoods.
Besides their social aspect, front porches -- as well as many rear porches and upper-level balconies -- are important parts of a building's architectural design and style. Many buildings were designed specifically to include a porch, for both functional and aesthetic reasons. Porches help to balance the overall massing of a building, while providing a spot to add fanciful details such as carved columns, brackets and railings that help to enliven a façade. In Lancaster, many early Federal period rowhouses with plain façades had porches added during the Victorian era. Unless an owner is restoring a house to its original appearance, a later porch addition may have historic value in itself, and it should be retained and preserved.
Porch Maintenance and Design Tips
Paint wood porch elements regularly, which will help to protect the wood from undue weathering.
Porch elements that have deteriorated should be repaired where possible.
If missing or severely deteriorated elements must be replaced, replicate them by using an original component as a prototype or model.
If components are replaced, keep in mind the scale or size of the original. (In other words, don't replace a round, eight-inch diameter column with a 2x4!)
When installing a new, code-required handrail or railing where none existed before, select a simple design. Metal can be appropriate for masonry buildings. Modern "deck style" railings are not appropriate on the front of older buildings.
Rest wood newel posts or bottom steps on a concrete or stone plinth, raising them above ground level. This will prevent "wet feet" and will help to control moisture-related deterioration.
Do not add conjectural porch ornamentation, which often conflicts with the style of the house.
Replace deteriorated porch steps with in-kind materials. The new steps should be of the same scale and dimensions as the original.
Do not enclose front porches. Instead, consider roll-up blinds that can be removed seasonally.
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Front porches began as places to enjoy the warm weather while still being protected from the hot sun or a sudden rainstorm. By the late nineteenth century, porches had become a common design feature on many types of rowhouses. Today, they remain a defining element in many of Lancaster's historic neighborhoods. Matching porches on a row of houses help to visually unify a block. A front porch also allows social interaction with neighbors and passersby, which is an important component in building and maintaining a sense of community in our neighborhoods.
Besides their social aspect, front porches -- as well as many rear porches and upper-level balconies -- are important parts of a building's architectural design and style. Many buildings were designed specifically to include a porch, for both functional and aesthetic reasons. Porches help to balance the overall massing of a building, while providing a spot to add fanciful details such as carved columns, brackets and railings that help to enliven a façade. In Lancaster, many early Federal period rowhouses with plain façades had porches added during the Victorian era. Unless an owner is restoring a house to its original appearance, a later porch addition may have historic value in itself, and it should be retained and preserved.
