A portico is easy to mistake for a small porch. After all, they both provide shelter over an entryway, with posts or columns supporting a roof-like structure. But a portico is not a porch as it differs in use, size, and architectural details. In fact, porticos have a rich history and specific features that they don’t share with porches. Learn more about porticos in this guide.
What is a Portico?
A portico is a roofed structure on the exterior of a home covering its front entryway. They’re designed to create architectural character while offering shelter from the elements—rain, intense sun, and snow—when entering or leaving a home. They’re generally smaller, without the space to accommodate an outdoor seating area, and they feature large columns holding up the roof structure.
Design Insight: Architect Peter Pennoyer suggests thinking of a portico as more than just an extension of the house. “Think of it as a little temple nestled up to the house,” he says. Pennoyer recommends separating the portico slightly from the facade—sometimes with a 1-foot-deep flat roof—to give it a unique roofline and more elaborate style, creating what he describes as a more arresting juxtaposition between the portico and the house that makes the entry feel more formal.
The portico’s history as an architectural element reaches back to ancient Greece and Rome, where temples and other important buildings featured covered entryways with heavy, fluted columns and ornate details. These porticos offered shelter from the elements while also creating a grand, formal detail to add drama to the structure.
Porticos are still relatively common today—particularly in the university setting where they can be found on common buildings and fraternity and sorority houses. On residential homes, they’re not as popular as the traditional porch, but they can be found on almost any home style. This includes colonials, Cape Cods, Craftsman-style homes, and even ranch homes.
At the This Old House TV project in Manchester, Massachusetts, general contractor Tom Silva replaced the fluted columns on the home’s front portico with custom replicas made from weather-resistant heart redwood. “It was as close to the originals as we could get,” he says. “But all wood, even redwood, is prone to rot eventually, so care has to be taken to repel moisture.” To protect the new hollow wood columns, the team ventilated them with air passages in the base and capital and coated the interiors with waterproofing material—a reminder that even a beautiful portico demands thoughtful maintenance.
Portico vs. Porch: What’s the Difference?
We’ve already mentioned that porticos and porches are quite similar. They are both attached to the exterior of the home and shield an entryway from the elements. But Porticos have some specific characteristics that porches don’t.
For instance, porches can be installed anywhere on a home. This includes the front, back, or side of the house, or even wrapping around the entire home. On the other hand, for a portico to be considered as such, it can only be on the front of the home, covering the main entryway.
Also, porches are typically constructed with simple posts and railings that don’t draw the eye directly. Porticos are rich with detail, including the columns, bases, steps, and other aspects of the design.
Porticos are usually small, so they do not allow enough room for furniture to sit and relax outside. On the other hand, porches are much larger and provide a sheltered space that can house a sitting area for enjoying some fresh air. A porch may be attached to a portico, but the portico itself feels and acts like a specific space designed around the entryway.
Pro Tip: TOH master carpenter Norm Abram notes that porches, with all their exposed wood, are notoriously high maintenance: “Porches are insurance policies for carpenters. With all that exposed wood, porches always need work.” A portico’s smaller footprint means less material exposed to the elements — one practical reason homeowners may prefer a portico over a full porch
Why You Might Want a Portico
There are several benefits to having a portico on the front of your home. Whether you bought your home with one or you’re considering having one installed, here are the main upsides of a portico.
Weather Protection
Without a doubt, the biggest benefit of a portico is providing a covered area to shield you from the elements. If it’s raining or snowing, you’ll be able to stay dry while unlocking your front door. Or, if the weather is blazing hot and the sun is beating down, your doorknob won’t feel like grabbing a branding iron out of the fire.
Architectural Detail
A portico can bring drama and elegance to the front of a home. Rather than simply having the front door be the main focal point, the portico itself creates detail and depth, adding curb appeal and style that elevates the home’s overall look and feel. And there is a style for just about any type of home.
A Small Footprint
Some homes simply don’t have the space to house a large porch, but they can often spare a few dozen square feet to accommodate a portico. Whether the lot itself is small, the house is situated close to the road, or an existing garden is preventing a larger structure, a portico may be the perfect solution.
Real-World Project: When Roy Shore of Marietta, Georgia, wanted to give his 1980 Colonial Revival a front-entry face-lift, he built a portico as a surprise for his wife while she was away for a long weekend. The centerpieces of his design were a pair of elegant tapered columns scored at a salvage yard and a prominent, low-pitched cedar roof. “I really wanted the cedar, so I used sweat equity to justify the cost,” says Roy. The project transformed a lackluster facade into a distinctive home filled with architectural detail — proof that a portico can deliver outsized impact on a modest footprint.
Overall Cost
Porches can be very expensive to install, while porticos are typically more reasonable. Although the level of detail required might not save much in terms of labor, porticos are smaller than porches and require fewer materials. This makes them a more affordable project overall and increases their appeal to homeowners who want to add more substance to their homes but don’t need an outdoor living space.
How Much Do Porticos Cost?
In general, expect to pay between $3,000 and $10,000 for a standard portico, with more elaborate porticos easily tipping the $10,000 mark. There are several aspects that come into play.
For one, the size of the portico is a factor. Smaller porticos will require fewer materials, while large porticos may not only require more materials, but also more substantial, robust materials that can span longer or taller distances (think: roof framing and columns).
Design also plays a role. Simple, traditional gabled porticos will be relatively inexpensive compared to intricate details on Greek Revival or Craftsman-style porticos.
Finally, consider the materials. Standard wood porticos will be more affordable to build than those made with composite materials. Though a portico constructed with composite materials will require less maintenance and upkeep in the long run.
Is a Portico the Right Choice for Your Home?
A portico might be the perfect project for your home, provided you’re looking for a very specific type of addition. If you’d like to add a bit of flair and excitement to the front of your home, coupled with some shelter, all at an affordable price, a portico could be the way to go. And since there are so many styles and options, there’s no doubt that you or a contractor will be able to design the ideal portico for the front of your home.
