A portico is a covered entrance that sticks out from the front door of a house or a building. It typically has tall pillars or columns that hold up the roof.

A beautiful portico adds an air of sophistication and makes entering the house feel more grand and exciting. That’s why we’re fully supportive of everyone who plans on adding one to their homes! 

If you’re interested in building a portico for your home, continue reading, as we’ll discuss of the cost of a portico in detail. We’ll also explore the pros and cons of having one!

How much does it cost to build a portico?

A 4-square-meter portico can cost you anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000. The cost will vary greatly depending on the materials you’ll use and the style of the portico.

What factors affect the cost of a portico?

Roof Material

The roofing material you’ll use for your portico can significantly affect the overall cost of your portico. Choosing expensive roofing materials can result in a higher construction cost.

However, choosing a cheap but low-quality material may result in higher repair and maintenance costs.

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of the commonly used roofing materials to help you get a better estimate of the total cost of your project.

Shingles

Shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials for residential homes because of their cost-effectiveness, style variety, and lightweight nature. They’re also relatively easy to install.

Shingles come in a wide variety of types, including asphalt, metal, slate, solar, concrete, and synthetic. Asphalt is the most popular, as it’s the cheapest option.

However, we highly advise considering the overall design, the local climate, and the roof’s slope before deciding what type to use, instead of just looking at the price. 

If you decide on using shingles, you’re looking to pay around $35 to $60 per square meter to get them installed.

Aluminum

Aluminum is usually used in both residential and commercial buildings because of its durability, versatility, and long lifespan. It’s also lightweight, so it won’t be hard for the portico’s column to support it.

You can either use aluminum sheets or tiles, depending on the portico’s design. Some roofers may also recommend standing seam for a much sleeker look.

Installing an aluminum roof for a portico can cost you around $40 to $165 per square meter. 

Steel

Steel is another roofing material that’s known for its strength and durability. It’s relatively low maintenance and affordable, making it popular among homeowners.

Steel is available in various styles and colors, offering design flexibility for the portico. It can be shaped into different forms, including standing seam, corrugated panels, or steel tiles, so it can complement different design styles.

A steel roof costs around $45 to $150 per square meter, around the same price as aluminum.

Wooden 

Timeless and beautiful, wooden roofs can give the portico a natural touch. They can also be easily customized and shaped to fit your own aesthetic.

The only downside about this is they’re vulnerable to wear and tear, making them quite difficult to maintain. They’re also not as durable as asphalt, steel, and aluminum.

The cost of a wooden roof can vary greatly depending on the type of wood you’ll use, but you can expect to pay around $40 to $330 per square meter.

Glass

Glass is mostly used in porches, but some architects have recently started to use it for porticos.

One benefit of using glass is it allows natural light to enter the portico, creating a bright and airy space. It also gives the portico a more modern and contemporary look.

This material, though, is a lot more expensive compared to other roofing materials. You’re looking at paying around $220 to $830 per square meter if you plan on using glass.

Column Style

Column styles with intricate carvings or designs can be more challenging to construct. They may also require a particular set of workers, so they typically cost more.

Some column styles may also need more resources to build, especially those with decorative elements, so expect to pay more for the cost of materials.

Here are some of the common column styles that you can use and how much they cost:

Farmhouse Column

Farmhouse columns typically feature a simple and rustic design, reflecting farmhouses’ traditional and unpretentious nature. It’s usually just a rectangular column with no intricate carvings or designs.

These columns are typically made of wood or stone. They may be left with their natural wood finish or painted in any neutral color that will match the building’s interior.

Due to their simple nature, they’re usually the cheapest column option for porticos. Materials and installation for a single column can cost around $175 to $900.

Colonial Column

Colonial columns became widely popular in the 17th century but are still widely used today. They’re usually square or slightly rectangular in shape, with straight lines and minimal tapering.

Some colonial columns have fluting or vertical channels running along the length of the column, which adds an element of elegance to the column’s overall look.

These types of columns work well with brick and concrete buildings that have a Federal, Georgian, and Greek-inspired design. With careful planning, they can also be used for homes that have a more simple architectural style.

Colonial columns can cost you around $175 to $900, depending on the style and material.

Victorian Column

Victorian columns have a highly decorative appearance that sets them apart from other column styles. They are usually decorated with highly detailed carvings of flowers, scrolls, leaves, and arrows.

They have a luxurious appeal that works well with houses that have classic and decorative architecture.

They can be made from different materials, including wood, stone, cast iron, or a combination of these elements. 

Due to their detailed and intricate designs, they can be more expensive than colonial and farmhouse columns. They can cost around $175 to $1,000, depending on the design and material.

Craftsman Column

Craftsman columns became popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. 

Their emphasis on simplicity and craftsmanship captured the hearts of property owners who weren’t fond of the extravagant and intricate architectural designs during the Victorian era.

They are usually square or triangular, which can make the portico look simple yet elegant. Their appeal is the high level of craftsmanship you’ll find on their straight lines and clean edges, which only highly skilled workers can do.

Despite their simple appearance, they’re a bit more expensive compared to other columns, as they’re mostly made with solid wood and are only done by skilled and experienced craftsmen. They can cost around $275 to $1,000 per column.

Size

Size is another factor that will have a significant effect on the cost of building a portico, as it directly affects the number of materials you’ll need.

The larger the portico is, the more materials it will need. This means more columns, roofing materials, flooring, and decorative elements (if you want any).

Additionally, a larger portico will require more time to construct, so you’ll spend more in labor cost. 

There are also instances when it’s harder to get the necessary permits and approvals for large porticos. This can add to the cost and may make the construction process longer.

Labor

The cost of labor can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of the project. Most of the time, labor cost actually takes up most of the budget for the portico.

Skilled workers, like carpenters and roofers, usually have higher hourly rates than general laborers, so expect the labor to be quite high. 

Additionally, the more experienced and reputable the contractors are, the higher the cost will be. That said, hiring highly skilled contractors can help you save possible future repair costs, as they tend to build high-quality porticos.

If you want to save on labor costs, choose a simpler design. You can also build one yourself if you have enough experience and knowledge in construction.

Location

The location of the property can also greatly affect the overall cost of a portico.

Some materials may be more expensive in certain areas due to a lack of supply, while some may be cheaper. Builders may have to transport the materials from a different state if they really can’t find the materials in your state.

Moreover, some states have a higher cost of living and minimum wage, so the contractor’s rate will also be higher. In general, people who live in urban areas tend to pay more for labor costs.

Permits

Some states and cities require you to get permits first before building any additional structures to your home, including porticos. These permits typically cost money, so expect that they’ll increase your overall cost.

Additionally, if you’re part of a homeowner’s association, they may have certain rules that are unique to your village, so it’s always best to check with them first before adding anything to your home.

How is a portico different from a porch?

A portico is attached to the front door of a house or building, while a porch can be attached to any side of the house and can even wrap around the sides. Porticos are also always covered, while porches can be covered or not.

Additionally, porticos are smaller and are focused on providing shade for the door. Conversely, porches are larger and provide more space for activities like sitting or eating outside.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of having a portico?

One of the primary benefits of having a portico is weather protection. This protection helps preserve your front door longer.

During rainy or snowy days, it provides temporary shelter while entering or leaving the building. On hot and sunny days, it offers shade and relief from the sun’s heat.

Porticos also help improve a building or a house’s curb appeal by adding an element of elegance and sophistication to it. In fact, porticos were associated with importance, power, and wealth in the past.

This enhanced curb appeal also increases the value of the property. Not only because they are aesthetically pleasing, but they also save potential buyers from the cost and effort of adding one later.

That said, they can also backfire and diminish the curb appeal if the design of the portico doesn’t complement the overall style of the house or building. Hence, it’s always important to be careful when choosing your design.

Porticos also require regular maintenance, as they can suffer from wear and tear because of changes in the weather. You may have to repaint the columns, repair some parts, and provide regular cleaning.

Additionally, adding a portico will reduce the available outdoor space near the entrance. This can be a concern for properties with limited space, as it can reduce the number of things residents can do in their front yard. 

FAQs About Portico