What is a Portico, and will it suit my home?

A Portico is a canopy (or porch) that enhances the entrance of a property. 

With a distinctive grand design that consists of structural columns and a soffit, which creates a stunning architectural feature. The Portico really showcases the classic architecture that has been used for centuries.

History of Columns

A column consists of a pedestal (or soffit) at the top, a round or square shaft and a base. Columns have been used across many cultures and since the early days of civilisation. In ancient Egypt columns were carved from stone with hieroglyphics and formed the entrance to temples. Greek, Persian and Roman civilisations made much use of columns for their temples and important buildings.

Columns can be made from a variety of materials, whole tree trunks, solid rock, blocks of stone or more recently GRP (fibreglass). Early columns used single pieces of rock and were extraordinarily strong and heavy often surviving long after the roof caved in.

In the past Porticos were only fitted onto the largest, most exclusive homes but nowadays a lot more homes can have one, as people enjoy combining the old with the new.

Modern Porticos

Porticos that you will see on houses in modern times tend to be made of GRP, or fibreglass as it is more commonly known. Fibreglass is a highly adaptable and strong material yet is lightweight and easy to handle. This makes GRP Porticos a cheaper and simpler item to install rather than say a stone or formed concrete one.

Because GRP Porticos are light, they can be retrofitted to any property without the need for heavy lifting gear. Once in place GRP Columns can be filled with Sand or Concrete to give them a more solid and robust feel. Modern columns can come in range of lengths, a choice of either square or round shaft and different colours.

There are two main styles of Portico available, and these are the Grand Georgian Portico and the Victorian Apex Portico. Both these styles are based on historical designs and add gravitas to any home.

Grand Georgian Portico

The most popular style of Portico, the Grand Georgian consists of 2 columns (normally) holding up the front of the soffit with the rear of the soffit attached to the wall of the house.

The low height of the Grand Georgian soffit means it can be attached to most properties and the range of widths available mean it can cover all sizes of entrance door.

Find out more about our Grand Georgian Portico.

Victorian Apex Portico

Should I buy a Portico, and will it suit my home?

A Portico adds distinction and grandeur to all types of properties. No longer do you need to own a stately home to justify having one installed, however for some properties a portico may seem too flash or dandy. Only you can decide whether putting columns on the outside of your home will look right, but with the wide range of colours, sizes, and styles now available a Portico is not only suitable for a lot more properties but affordable as well.

Where can I Buy Porticos and Columns?

The Canopy Shop sells a wide range of Porticos and Columns which can be delivered direct to your door. You can find them at The Canopy Shop, where you can select either complete Portico kits or just buy columns on their own. If you need any help choosing the right portico for your home, you can call Lisa or Danielle on 01536 446393 who will be happy to assist you.