If you like building things and want to add more appeal and value to your home, why do not you consider building a porch? Although this is a job that anyone can do, it is not one you will accomplish overnight. It does take time to do the preparatory work, such as planning the porch to be a space where you can take pride and comfort in viewing the outdoors. It is an extension of the entrance to your home so you do need to match it with the décor of the exterior.
You also have to make sure you have the proper building permits in place and that what you intend to build meets the building codes of your area. Once you have all this in place, you are ready to start the construction phase of the project. First you have to decide on the size of porch you want. You will need to measure the area and figure out how much building materials you need. The land also has to be level, so you may need to excavate it a little and build a platform of wood or concrete.
Make sure you buy only pressure treated lumber because the porch will have to withstand the elements of the weather in all four seasons. Adding protective paint or stain to the wood is also a good idea to prevent you from having to do too much maintenance.
There are many different plans for porches that you can choose from and they are readily available at your local home improvement store and online. If you want to shop around, you can save money on the materials by watching the specials on lumber. Then you can buy the amounts you need and have extra money for the furniture you want to place inside the porch. You can opt to have an enclosed porch or one that is open. You might want to look at the various porch screens on the market so that you can have the best of both options – the feeling of being enclosed while still enjoying the fresh air.