Architectural Details Direct - 903-356-2158

Even more than the basic structure, the Posts (both Porch and Newel), Balustrade (Rails & Balusters), Decorative Post Top Items, and Porch Eave Decorations will determine the style, balance, and visual effectiveness of your porch. It's important these four categories of decorative trim work together, as you want your finished porch to make a complete "statement."

A Moderate Approach
Decorative items can cover quite a range, from simple and sparse to intricate and plentiful. A moderate approach, somewhere between the two ends of this scale, is typically the most appropriate. Consider for a moment the overall style of the home this porch will belong to.

If a three story Queen Anne Victorian, with high roof lines, soaring gables, and perhaps even a circular tower is involved, your decorative items will appear inadequate unless they are both intricate in detail and quite abundant! Conversely, a very modest home, with simple lines and shallow roof, may seem overdone if its porch appears to have been transplanted from one of the High Victorians described above.

However, most homes fall between these two extremes. If your home is in this middle area, your decorating is actually easier, because you can properly decorate your porch within a broad range, from fairly minimal to rather involved. Which degree (and style) of decoration you choose under such circumstances depends upon the direction in which you may wish to change your home's overall style.

Don't Be Too Conservative
Nevertheless, it has been our observation over the years that, when choosing decorative items for one's home, the tendency is to be too conservative! More often than not, one's concern for overdoing it limits the truly effective use of decorative trim items. Obviously, it is possible to overdo it, but all too often we see people reordering more decoration because they were not quite satisfied with the initial results. Remember, all items will seem much smaller when viewed from the distance of the street. And, if properly selected and installed, the various decorative items will blend together into one whole.

We will later cover specific ways you can test for these matters before you order, but the point we are trying to stress here is that often just a little more (or larger) trim could make a big difference in the overall impact. Don't be afraid to trust your own decorating judgement. After all, it is your home!

Budget Considerations
As you will discover, we are very eager to maintain the cost effectiveness of your Porch Decorations. We will never advise additional (or more expensive) items unless we sincerely believe they will add more to the value of your home than what they cost. We firmly believe the purchase of any decorative porch trim can and should be viewed as an investment. (Although admittedly, one of the few investments that can also be enjoyed for its non-monetary aspects.)

Of course, budget constraints are often a very real factor. We feel strongly, however, that it is better to do part of the project well, and come back later when the budget allows, rather than to spread the pocketbook too thin, and have the entire project displease you! For example, we would favor a structurally sound porch with no decoration at first, rather than a poorly constructed porch that may require a redo at a later date.

Ways to Stretch Your Dollars
There are many ways to make the initial budget go farther:

A. Build your porch to the depth you want, but limit its length. Add more length later.

B. Purchase the correctly sized Posts, and in adequate quantity, but wait until later to add the decorative items. It's very important, of course, to determine initially that your Posts will accommodate this later decoration. Please see the Porch Post section for more details.

C. Install Balustrade now if required for safety considerations, but wait until later to add the remaining decorations.

D. If you want Spandrels with Brackets beneath, but the budget is tight, install only the Brackets (using easily removable screws). If you allow room now for the Spandrels to be added, it will be a simple matter to later remove the Brackets, install the Spandrels, and then reinstall the Brackets below the Spandrels.

E. In our discussion of Porch Eave Decorations we strongly recommend the use of Post Face Brackets and Porch Eave Brackets (Repeating Cornice Brackets) to provide an important third dimension for your porch ... but these are easily added later IF you have planned for them in advance.

In other words, begin with a plan, know from the start that your design will properly accommodate the various elements you ultimately want, then install the decorative items in stages. In fact, this approach will give you something to look forward to and can answer the question of what to give each other for Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and surprises!

We are available by phone or email for free personalized consultation.

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