Embedded Files
Midcentury Modern Talk & Tosi Book Release - May 13, 2026
Talk #7
Talk #7
7th Commandment: Understanding the Parts and Pieces of a Perfect Porch
7th Commandment: Understanding the Parts and Pieces of a Perfect Porch
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Naper Boulevard Library Program Room
2035 S Naper Blvd
Naperville, IL 60565
How can a porch be both a perfect place to relax and the focus of the front of a home that elevates its design and serves to welcome visitors? Elements of what makes a perfect porch were presented in Tom Ryan's 7th talk on Timeless design. The talk show examples from Naperville's Historic District of the parts and pieces that make of a perfect porch.
Walk the Talk #7
Walk the Talk #7
As a follow up to the Talk, on April 25th, Tom took participants on short walking tour to see the houses and details that make this neighborhood so special to our community.
7 Covered Porch Basics for New Homes and Additions
7 Covered Porch Basics for New Homes and Additions
In the Midwest, we crave sunlight, so keep covered porches on the small side for parties of 2-6 people.
Plan on a depth of 8 feet…enough for sitting, circulation and to allow more sunlight to enter the house.
Set porch end walls 12” away from house corners or align them if house and porch roofs are continuous.
The roof of a covered porch should be a low slope hip unless it is a continuation of the house roof.
Porch and house ceiling heights to match, visible beam around porch perimeter, columns (with entasis) with ‘neck’ aligning with outside beam face, edge of porch base NOT aligning with outside beam face if using tapered columns and pilasters against walls as the perimeter beam returns to house wall.
Set porch floor under 30” from grade so guardrails are not required by code but can be built 30” tall to accommodate ‘leaning’ or ‘perching’. Guardrail tops should be sloped from the center to avoid rotting.
The base should have a stone perimeter and floor or stone piers with wood decking, joists and skirting.
Sources of Inspiration
Sources of Inspiration
Book: Chapter 8 of “Get Your House Right” by Marianne Cusato and Ben Pentreath. Available Locally at Anderson’s Bookshop.
Online: Video by Brent Hull: Historic Porch Design
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