The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-07
PORCH IS NOW
REAL PART Of
NEW HOME
This important Item Should
Get Attention From
House Builder

Inc history OF the porch has
changed with modern develop
ments in community life. IN me-
dieval years the fOrtress-likA char
acter Of the f6udal lords castle.
and the mistrust Of outsiders.
made porches impossible. The
rich Romans ancient portico in
nowlse suggested the structure Of
today. Our early New England
houses were too cold for the ex-
tensive use Of porches, and those
~ the South, erected by wealthy
slave owners, bore an air of<aris-
tocracy that frowned upon real
enjoyment in the semi -,public
porch.
Today. however. with better build.
ing methods. 1t has established itself
as O. worthwhile feature Of the
american home.
Porch on Side.
In America 1t has been custonary
to have the living porch at the
'front.' OF the house. The moderyl
lInglishman, IL he has porch, puts
u at the rear, for he cares more
Tor his garden than the street. A
chapge OF attitude is slowly trans.
forming us here, and the tendency
IL now to secure more privacy by
putting the porch at the side.
Due to the fact that thes porch
projects prominently beyond the
rest OF the house, 1t is desirable
that special consideration should be
Bestowed upon it. Unless it be
relevant to the design Of the build.
ing Of which it is a part, the whole
architectural effect of the house will
be married. If the porch be- not
interrelated with the rest Of tie
house, mistakes In design viii al.
most undoubtedly be committed,
The location Of the porch sho.ild.
OF course, be with reference to the
direction OF the sun. A breakfast
porch demands an east outlook.
The summer cottage type Of house
wants q cool porch, and, otner
things being equal, a northern as.
pect would suggest itself. The
sleeping porch will be best pro.
tected II it faces south; SO. too.
sun porches. plant and flower
rooms. Porches that face out up.
on broad expanse Of private prop.
ertv or features Of scenic interest
should avoid the usual series Of
little posts and pillars to obstruct
the view. Vines or trellises NAV
shelter the porch facing out upon
q public road, from the eyes of
the passersby.
Let the porch floor be at least
ten feet wide, IL possible, especi.
ally II 1t be an important porch.
Just as within the house, the fur.
n1ture should be arranged logically
about an important piece or cen
ter Of interest.
Sleeping Porch.
Porches may be made attractive
Dy means OF flower boxes, trellises
and lattice work, the success of
these depending very largely upon
the PRIDE of the owner.
The sleeping porch should be
open on three sides, but screened
in summer with rustproof screens
and provided with double windows
Tor winter. II 1t is located on the
second floor Of the house 1t win
nave greater privacy and less DOS.
slDle annoyance from insects and
odors. It's floor should be treated
to avoid leakage of rain below.
cement, stone, wood, tile and brick
nave all been successfully EMPLOYED
Tor sleeping porch flooring. Limo.
ieum and canvas are good floor
coverings, as they are practically
waterproof and easily kept clean,
The floor should slant to one edge
10 drain, and If directly exposed to
the rain, extra wooden Stats above
the 1loor will expedite drying.
People who like sleeping porches
nave found 1t convenient to build
one over a first-story veranda. This
IS called a double-deck arrange.
ment ana is convenient and mex.
pensive TO construct. Such an ar.
rangement extending at the side Of
the mousse In the form Of a wing
may De covered by the main roof Of
the mouse and increases its appar.