A portico is a covered, roofed walkway that is usually held up by columns and is often found on the front of a house, creating a classy, desirable and imposing impression to a building. The word portico is Italian for porch, but they are typically referred to as a very specific type of architecture. Porticos have been around since Ancient Greece, typically added to significant temples and religious buildings.
Porticos have only increased in popularity since then, and it’s easy to see why. Porticos are found on some of the most desirable and sophisticated homes across the world, not only being a practical solution for staying out of the rain but also proven to add value and curb-appeal to any residence.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
- What a portico is and its origins in ancient Greek architecture
- The key differences between a portico and a porch
- Why adding a portico can increase your home’s value and kerb appeal
- The main types of porticos, including Tuscan, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles
- The purpose of a portico and how it enhances your home’s entrance
- The most common materials used, including cast stone vs natural stone
- How porticos are designed, built, and installed
- Typical costs of adding a portico to a house in the UK
- Alternatives to porticos, such as bespoke door surrounds
- Answers to frequently asked questions about porticos
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer |
| Is a portico worth adding to a house? | Yes, a portico can increase property value, add the wow factor and enhance curb appeal, and provide practical weather protection. |
| Do you need planning permission for a portico in the UK? | In many cases, porticos fall under permitted development, but this depends on size and location – always check local regulations. |
| What is the difference between a portico and a porch? | A portico is supported by columns and typically smaller and more formal, while a porch is enclosed and part of the house structure. |
| What is the best material for a portico? | Cast stone is often preferred due to its durability, lower cost, and flexibility compared to natural stone. |
What is the difference between a porch and a portico?
A portico and a porch are often used interchangeably due to their similarities, although there are some key distinctions between the two. A portico is a roofed structure supported by columns, which can be freestanding or attached to the house, with typically four columns that support the roof. Meanwhile, a porch also has a roof and walls but does not include posts or columns for additional support. Compared to porches, which are commonplace on many types of houses, porticos are much rarer to see and create a much more imposing and sophisticated form of charm to a property.
Why add a portico to your house?
A stone portico can be an instant source of class and elegance for any home, enhancing its curb appeal with timeless sophisticated charm. Particularly on period properties, a portico is seen as a much more stylish option than a standard porch. Even on more modern buildings, porticos can be custom-designed to create a perfect fit for your property.
Benefits of adding a portico to your house:
- Enhance the value of your property
- Creates the wow factor and a classy, impactful entrance to your home
- Protection from the ever-unpredictable British weather
What are the types of portico?
The portico’s design can range from modern and minimalist, with thin pillars, to more elaborate and ornate designs popularised in ancient Greek buildings, featuring thick columns and ornamental framing around the doors. Homeowners also have many options for porticos built from different materials, such as brick or wood, which add a unique aesthetic touch to any home.
The most common type is known as “the Tuscan style”, although there are four main portico styles: Tuscan, Corinthian, Ionic, and Doric. Corinthian is the most ornate, known for its decorative foliage. Ionic porticos feature two large columns topped by a triangular pediment with two smaller columns in between. Doric porticos are much simpler in design and are typically rectangular, while Tuscan porticos have very few ornaments aside from their columns. Each style creates a unique look that makes a statement about the nature of the building it guards.
Acanthus Cast Stone offers an extensive selection of exquisite portico designs that can instantly transform the look and value of a building.
Here are some of the different portico styles that we offer here at Acanthus Stone:
What is the purpose of a portico?
Porticos create a welcoming entrance into the home and can help to increase the home’s curb appeal. Additionally, it protects from unpleasant weather and may also offer beneficial shade during hot summer days. A portico can be an attractive decoration for any type of architecture, ranging from classic Georgian-style housing to contemporary styles. Furthermore, it can add value to a property, making it more attractive to potential buyers when it comes time to sell.
What materials are used in a portico?
Porticos are constructed from intricate stone pieces, custom-made to suit the architecture of your building and your personal preferences.
There are usually two common production methods used for building stone porticos: Cast Stone and Natural Stone.
Cast Stone or Natural Stone?
Natural Stone is the raw material that is extracted from quarries around the world. It tends to be cut by hand into specific shapes, requiring a lot of labour and future maintenance, and is therefore much more expensive than Cast Stone.
Cast Stone is a refined manufactured material that takes advantage of specialist mixing methods to create an exceptional finish. It’s significantly cheaper than using natural stone, requires less maintenance and can be produced in a much shorter time frame.
At Acanthus, our Cast Stone Porticos provide the same aesthetic and rugged benefits as natural stone but at a fraction of the cost, with much more flexibility on the design and size of your portico and less maintenance in the future.
How do I install a portico?
Struggling to find a reliable contractor for your portico installation? Worry no more. We’re in touch with experienced professionals across the country who we’ve trusted for years to do the job efficiently and effectively – just get in touch and we’ll be happy to put you in touch.
What is the process for installing a portico?
If you choose to work with us, our talented team will provide technical drawings and ensure a remarkable finish before delivery. We only specialise in designing and building the porticos, however we have a long list of specialist contractors that we’ve trusted for years to provide an excellent installation. It’s important to hire a stone installation specialist rather than a regular builder, as there are intricacies that are crucial to get right. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our installation contractors.
What is the cost of a portico on a house?
The typical starting price of one of our porticos, delivered to your house, is around £4,000. However, we always take into account each design on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure our clients are getting a competitive price.
What are the alternatives to a portico?
Despite being a stunning addition to a range of residences, a portico won’t necessarily suit every property or everyone’s tastes.
Sometimes, a bespoke door surround is enough to add sophistication and class to the entrance of your home. Our door surrounds present the grandiosity of a portico and can be custom-tailored to perfectly match you and your property’s aesthetic.
Learn more about our cast stone door surrounds here.
Why Choose Acanthus?
We strive to bring unique and architecturally-inspired designs into the lives of our customers and you can count on us for one-of-a-kind bespoke options that match existing features or flawlessly follow architectural drawings.
Request a free consultation for more information on the design and materials used in your portico.
Conclusion
Porticos have been an architectural triumph for generations and provide a timeless, impactful and tasteful addition to a home. Not only do they add style and class to the appearance, but they also protect you from the elements, add significant value to a property and are surprisingly easy to install.
We hope you have enjoyed this article. If you require any further information on porticos or wish to discuss our range of custom stone-built porticos, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
