Make More of the Entrance to Your Home
The entrance to your home is one of the first things people see, but it also needs to work hard every day.
A well-designed porch can provide weather protection, additional storage, a more comfortable transition into the house and a stronger sense of arrival, while also improving the appearance of the front elevation.
At Calico, we consider the porch as part of the property rather than an afterthought, looking at the structure, roof, doors, glazing, lighting, flooring and finishing together.
Porches Designed Around Your Property
The right porch depends on the style of the property, the space available and what you need the entrance to do better.
Brick-Built Porches
A substantial porch designed to complement the existing home, with brickwork, roofing, glazing and finishes coordinated around the property.
Glazed Porches
Bring natural light into the entrance with carefully positioned glazing, doors and roof details while retaining useful protection from the weather.
Traditional Porches
Create an entrance that suits more traditional properties with considered rooflines, timber details and materials that work with the existing house.
Contemporary Porches
Clean lines, modern doors and glazing can create a sharper entrance that works particularly well with renovated or more contemporary homes.
Porches With Storage
Incorporate practical storage for coats, shoes and everyday items so the entrance helps reduce clutter inside the main house.
Porch Refurbishments
Improve an existing porch with updated doors, windows, roofing, finishes, flooring, lighting or wider repairs where the structure still has potential.
From Foundations to the Front Door
Even a relatively compact porch can involve groundwork, masonry, roofing, carpentry, glazing, doors, electrics, plastering, flooring and decoration.
Calico can coordinate those different elements as one project rather than leaving you to arrange individual trades for each stage.
The result is a completed entrance that works practically and feels properly connected to the rest of the property.
Think About How the Entrance Works Every Day
A porch may not be one of the largest spaces in the house, but careful planning can make a significant difference to how useful it becomes.
Doors, thresholds and circulation should make entering and leaving the property easy and practical.
Shoes, coats, umbrellas and everyday items can be accommodated without turning the entrance into clutter.
Glazing can keep a porch bright and help prevent the entrance from feeling enclosed.
Internal and external lighting can improve usability, appearance and security after dark.
The porch should provide a useful barrier between outside weather and the main home.
Roofline, materials, brickwork, doors and glazing should feel appropriate for the existing property.
From Entrance Idea to Finished Porch
We start by understanding what you want to improve about the existing entrance before deciding how the porch should look and function.
Understand
We discuss what is not working about the current entrance and what you would like the porch to provide.
Assess & Plan
We consider the existing house, available space, access, services and the proposed style of the porch.
Build
Groundwork, structure, roofing, glazing and the main construction work are coordinated through the build.
Finish
Doors, electrics, flooring, plastering, carpentry and decoration bring the entrance together ready for everyday use.
A Small Addition Can Change the Whole Entrance
Because a porch sits at the front of the property, even a relatively small project can have a noticeable impact on both practicality and kerb appeal.
Before 
After An Entrance That Looks Like It Belongs There
Good detailing helps a porch feel like a considered part of the property rather than something simply attached to the front.
We Consider the Entrance as Part of the Whole Home
A porch is often a modest addition compared with a full extension, but that does not mean the details matter any less.
Our background across carpentry, building and finishing allows us to look at the entrance as a complete space, from the structure and roof through to doors, storage and the final decorative details.
We want the finished porch to make everyday life easier while also looking appropriate for the property it belongs to.
Porches Across Hampshire
Calico is based on Hayling Island and undertakes porch projects throughout Hampshire and surrounding areas.
Hayling Island • Havant • Portsmouth • Southsea • Emsworth • Waterlooville • Chichester • Fareham • Petersfield • Southampton
If your location is not listed, please still get in touch. The distance we travel can vary depending on the scale and nature of the project.
Porch FAQs
Do you build new porches?
Yes. We can undertake new porch projects including the structure, roofing, doors, glazing and internal finishing required to create a completed entrance.
Can you refurbish an existing porch?
Yes. Depending on the condition of the existing structure, improvements may include roofing, doors, windows, lighting, flooring, plastering, decoration and repairs.
Can you add storage inside the porch?
Yes. Bespoke cupboards, coat storage, seating and shoe storage can be considered where the available space allows.
Can you install lighting and electrical sockets?
Yes. Suitable internal and external lighting and other electrical requirements can be incorporated into the project.
Do porches need planning permission?
Some porch projects may fall within permitted development rules, while others may require planning permission depending on the size, position, property and local circumstances. The relevant requirements should be confirmed for the specific project.
Do porches need building regulations approval?
Requirements can depend on the size, construction, glazing, electrics and relationship with the existing property. The appropriate requirements should be checked for the individual project.
Can you match the porch to my existing house?
We can consider brickwork, roofing, doors, glazing and finishing details with the aim of creating an entrance that suits the style and character of the existing property.
How long does a porch take to build?
Timescales depend on the size, design, ground conditions, specification and amount of associated work required. We can provide a clearer indication once the project is understood.
Could Your Front Door Work Harder for Your Home?
Whether you want better weather protection, more storage, a stronger entrance or simply a porch that improves the look of your property, talk to Calico about your ideas.
We'll help you explore what could work with the space and style of your home.
Discuss Your Porch Project