Porticos and overhangs are decorative additions to your house that can either increase the value or the “wow” factor of your home. However, when you decide to add a porch, you may not know what is a portico and what is an overhang. Both terms are used commonly in the construction business and often confusion sets in. A portico is a wall between a door and the exterior of a house, whereas an overhang is a roof that is supported by posts along the border of a lot or property. So, what is a portico and what is an overhang?
Porticos are circular openings in a home’s roof that allow air to flow through. They are typically constructed from concrete and have a base of either one or two stories. Porticos have many uses in the home and are most common for decks and verandas. Overhangs, which are also known as French doors, are long panels that run the full width of a home. They are typically used for interior entries but they can be used as the opening to a patio or a floored breezeway.
The beauty of having a portico or an overhang is that they can add to the overall appearance of your home without walls. Because they do not have walls, they give a living area to the outside of your home while providing protection from the elements. If you are considering adding a portico or an overhang to your home, you need to know what is a portico. Porticos are rectangular openings, sometimes with a row of stone facings. When planned properly, they look like a small town with small buildings grouped together without any wall structure.
A portico or an overhang are not like what is used in the United States. In the United States, we have cottages, gables, and gazebos. Each of these provides shelter from the elements and some sort of decorative element in the entry way or as part of the living area. In the United Kingdom, a portico is the paneling of a wall, sometimes with a row of white stucco or other stone facings. A typical British patio or veranda would have a stone wall with no stucco facings. The use of a portico or an overhang provides an element of elegance that will enhance the exterior of your home.
Beautiful Additions
Although porticos and overhangs can be beautiful additions to a home, they are not for everyone. If you have a small yard, you may want to consider using a cedar sukkot. Sukkot can provide privacy and UV stabilization and if your yard is shorter, it adds a dramatic touch of dimension to your backyard.
A Mezzanine Floor
Another type of add-on you might want to consider for your Mediterranean home is a mezzanine floor. A mezzanine floor is a series of rungs (usually three) of stone or metal that connect to a main level. Due to the design of mezzanines, the adding of solid facades (as with the use of porticos and overhangs) creates a three dimensional impression of the exterior. When the different levels are connected, this creates a feeling of space. Mezzanines add height to a house and can be used to make your back yard seem more like a room in your home.