What Is a Portico and Does It Enhance Curb Appeal?

Many homes feature a small, covered entryway. It’s common across most home styles, but you may not know it by name. If it’s not quite large enough to be a porch, it may actually be a portico. These timeless structures take otherwise plain facades and make them feel luxurious. If your home needs a facelift, but you don’t want to break the bank, a portico may be the solution.

What Is a Portico?

A portico is a small roof supported by columns over a front door. Homeowners can build porticos over small patios or raised stoops with steps, but the roof and columns are always essential elements of this structure.

The portico design dates back to ancient times, when ornate columns decorated temple entrances in ancient Greece. Though less ornate in modern home design, porticos are still used consistently across many architectural styles.

What Is the Purpose of a Portico?

Porticos enhance the look of the front of a home while providing shelter as you search for your keys in bad weather. Porticos are also great for keeping guests or packages dry, and portico lighting can improve home security at night.

What Are Porticos Made Of?

You can use any building material to create a portico. Most match the materials to the existing home. For example, a house with white siding and an asphalt roof pairs well with white portico columns and an asphalt portico roof.

Consider common local pests when choosing a material for your columns. Wood columns can become a home for wasps, termites, and other unwanted guests. Opt for fiberglass or concrete instead to mitigate these risks.

What Is the Difference Between a Portico and a Porch?

Although similar to a front porch, a portico has distinct characteristics. For one, porticos are too small to house furniture and aren't a space for relaxing or spending much time. They function more like an awning for protection and visual interest at the front of the home.

In contrast, a porch is a gathering space for sitting, dining, or lounging. Porches can be located on a home's front, side, or back, sometimes wrapping all the way around as one continuous structure. Porch screens can also protect them and create indoor/outdoor living spaces.

Does Adding a Portico Enhance a Home's Curb Appeal?

For many, the main perk of building a portico is the instant curb appeal. Adding a portico provides an immediate return on investment thanks to the added visual interest. Though commonly seen in colonial architecture, the portico design is often adapted to craftsman homes, bungalows, and many other styles.

Other Benefits of Porticos

A portico can do more than simply enhance a front door’s curb appeal. Other benefits include:

• Protection for the front door, paint, and stoop from sun, rain, snow, and natural wear

• Protection for residents and guests as they lock and unlock the front door

• A smaller footprint that takes up less land and budget than a full porch

• A timeless look that fits most home designs and never goes out of style

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Portico?

The average cost to build a 40-square-foot portico is around $2,500 to $4,000. This total will depend on the materials you choose for the roof and columns and the labor cost of your local porch contractor.

Many homeowners use a portico project as an opportunity to install a new type of front door or to update their existing entrance with a new front door paint color. Wiring a portico with outdoor lighting can further enhance curb appeal and home security.