Porch size

poshboy

Hi, we've only got a small entrance hallway when we come into our house and therefore nowhere to hang coats and put shoes properly. Therefore we're thinking of having a porch fitted at the front. We've had some quotes for a 1.8x1.2m porch. I can't work out if will be big enough though. Ideally we want to be able to step in (we're a family of 4) hang 5 or 6 coats and maybe have a unit for storing shoes. Do you think this size porch will be big enough?

Petriix

Porches can only be 3m² for permitted development (otherwise they need planning permission) which limits the size somewhat, but you probably want to go a little bigger than the suggested size. 

ThisIsWeird

Find a rug in your house that size, and have fun :-)
Take into account door swings. Do not contemplate having the outside door opening outwards. Don't don't don't. 
To go slightly larger should cost proportionally less. What's the max allowed under Permitted Planning? 
Have other houses in your 'hood had porches built?

Doozergirl

It's not so much the dimensions but how the porch is planned around the existing front door.  Whether that measurement is internal or external will make a huge difference also.  

I would like to see a wide porch that will allow at least 600mm internally either side of the door for storage - double bubble. 

Failing that, at least 600mm to one side.  I say 600mm as I think that's enough for hanging space and shoes without cramping the doorway itself.  

If the porch door opens outwards then the depth doesn't matter too much.  If you want it opening into the porch then it needs to be bigger.  

I'd prefer built in storage to having coats and shoes visible everywhere, that would also help it feel more spacious and streamlined - and you can't see detritus when looking in - first impressions count!  

Be careful that window placement doesn't affect storage capacity.  I'd rather have a full length glass door than windows meaning I can't store stuff.   

Anything over a total of 3 metres sqaure would need planning permission.  But don't let the planning tail wag the dog.  Get it right.  

stuart45

I built a porch for my daughter a few years that was a bit bigger than that. It was especially for storage, coats, shoes and pushchair. I made it single skin apart from 9 inch at the front. Only one small window, and an opening out door. 
It's probably just about big enough for a family of 3.

poshboy

Thanks all. This is really helpful and confirms my thoughts. I'm going to go back to the builder. Don't really want to be wasting £7k on something not fit for purpose.

Albermarle

ThisIsWeird said:

Find a rug in your house that size, and have fun :-)
Take into account door swings. Do not contemplate having the outside door opening outwards. Don't don't don't. 
To go slightly larger should cost proportionally less. What's the max allowed under Permitted Planning? 
Have other houses in your 'hood had porches built?

Out of interest, why do you say that ?

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: Take into account door swings. Do not contemplate having the outside door opening outwards. Don't don't don't.

An outward opening door is very handy when you get cold callers knocking and poised to stick their foot in the door. They run the risk of getting a bloodied nose for their efforts

On the downside, darned annoying when the likes of Amazon drop a heavy box in front of the door and running away after ringing the bell. You also need to be careful if a wind is blowing, and hang on to the door to stop it getting ripped of the hinges.

ThisIsWeird

Albermarle said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Find a rug in your house that size, and have fun :-)
Take into account door swings. Do not contemplate having the outside door opening outwards. Don't don't don't. 
To go slightly larger should cost proportionally less. What's the max allowed under Permitted Planning? 
Have other houses in your 'hood had porches built?

Out of interest, why do you say that ?

Tee-hee. They are an option - when there's absolutely no other alternative.
They look hellish even when closed, and double so when open. They can catch the wind. They knock your milk bottles over. Callers need to jump backwards to not have their toes shredded. You need to stand half outside in the rain to hold the door steady whilst you have a meaningful discussion with JWs. You'll need a high security option to prevent it being removed by simply grinding its hinges. And they look hellish, open and closed. 
Seriously, if you fit an opening-out door, you won't want to come home to your house - it'll depress you every time you put your key in the door. 

Albermarle

ThisIsWeird said:

Albermarle said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Find a rug in your house that size, and have fun :-)
Take into account door swings. Do not contemplate having the outside door opening outwards. Don't don't don't. 
To go slightly larger should cost proportionally less. What's the max allowed under Permitted Planning? 
Have other houses in your 'hood had porches built?

Out of interest, why do you say that ?

Tee-hee. They are an option - when there's absolutely no other alternative.
They look hellish even when closed, and double so when open. They can catch the wind. They knock your milk bottles over. Callers need to jump backwards to not have their toes shredded. You need to stand half outside in the rain to hold the door steady whilst you have a meaningful discussion with JWs. You'll need a high security option to prevent it being removed by simply grinding its hinges. And they look hellish, open and closed. 
Seriously, if you fit an opening-out door, you won't want to come home to your house - it'll depress you every time you put your key in the door. 

OK I am convinced !

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: You'll need a high security option to prevent it being removed by simply grinding its hinges.

Grinding hinges off is not a trivial matter - If you want to get through a door fast (without opening it first), just attack it with a chainsaw or plunge/circular saw (battery operated). With a glass panel, an automatic centre punch will break the glass with a single punch. Or if you don't want to do much damage, just snap the euro cylinder (if fitted with a cheap one).