Problem Solving Is Just One Part Of Our Porch Transformation Process At The Porch Company

Tucked away in the inviting Sylvan Park area of Nashville, Tennessee, The Porch Company recently undertook a project that showcased our expertise in custom porch design and problem-solving capabilities.

Our client, a homeowner with a passion for outdoor living, sought to replace an aging porch structure with a new, functional space that harmonized with the historic charm of their home while overcoming challenges posed by an existing storm drain easement.

Understanding The Porch Design Challenge

The storm drain easement in the backyard posed a unique challenge, limiting the size and scope of the new porch. However, our experienced porch design and engineering team saw this as an opportunity to think creatively and develop a solution.

Rather than seeing the storm drain easement as a limitation, we embraced it as a design feature. Our team designed a two-room porch for the Sylvan Park home with different roof lines, one vaulted and one with a flat roof, strategically maximizing the available space while maintaining the desired aesthetics. This approach not only addressed the size restrictions but also added architectural interest to the porch.

An Intimate Porch Al Fresco Dining Area

One of the rooms in the porch is dedicated to creating an intimate al fresco dining area, perfect for enjoying meals with family and friends. The seating arrangement, carefully designed to accommodate eight guests comfortably, invites lively conversations and memorable gatherings.

The Second Porch Room Provides Luxurious Seating For Family And Guests

The gable roof portion of the porch became the gathering space, offering seating options for both the family and their guests. This versatile area served as a hub for relaxation, entertainment, and quality time spent outdoors. Our team provided some needed privacy by installing a 1x6 cypress wall that adds a warm and cozy feel to the outdoor living space.

An Exterior-Centered Entrance Door, Complete With A Doggie Access

To ensure seamless access to both rooms of the porch, we installed an exterior-centered entrance door. This thoughtful addition not only facilitates easy movement between the spaces but also includes a doggie access panel, catering to the furry family members and their convenience.

Attention To Detail And Finishing Touches

To enhance the comfort and functionality of the new porch, we incorporated ceiling height heating elements, ensuring year-round enjoyment even during cooler seasons. An oversized fan provides a gentle breeze on warm days, while carefully placed accent lighting adds ambiance and highlights the architectural features of the porch.

Cypress wood is known for its natural durability and resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor applications like screened porches, where exposure to the elements is inevitable. Also, cypress wood has natural oils that help it withstand moisture and weathering, making it ideal for environments with varying humidity levels and weather conditions.

Solid 1X cypress boards are relatively stable and less prone to warping or twisting, especially when properly installed and maintained by our expert team. This stability ensures that the new porch maintains its structural integrity over time. Furthermore, cypress wood has a beautiful, distinct grain pattern and a warm, honey-toned color that adds character and charm to the interior of a screened porch. Its natural beauty enhances the overall aesthetic of the space.

The flooring of the new porch, made of heat-modified Ash, not only offers durability but also contributes to a warm and inviting atmosphere.

For long term stability and dimensional stability, heat modification enhances the durability of Ash wood, making it more resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage. This increased durability is especially beneficial in outdoor environments where the porch floor is exposed to moisture, sunlight, and varying weather conditions.

Also, heat-modified Ash is less prone to shrinking, swelling, or warping compared to untreated wood. This dimensional stability ensures that the porch floor maintains its shape and integrity over time, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or repairs.

Client Collaboration And Personalization Courtesy Of The Porch Company

Kudos to the Sylvan Park homeowner for their collaboration and personal touches that further enhances the porch's appeal. Their decision to paint the back wall of the house inside the porch created a cohesive and inviting environment, making the porch feel like a natural extension of their home, rather than an addition.

The Porch Company's meticulous attention to detail, innovative design solutions, and commitment to client satisfaction were showcased in the transformation of this exquisite two-room porch in Sylvan Park. From overcoming challenges posed by a storm drain easement to creating functional and inviting spaces, our team's expertise shone through, resulting in a porch that not only meets but exceeds the client's expectations.

Your Sylvan Park Solution For Porch Perfection

The Porch Company is a design/build construction company focusing on creating screen porches, open-air porches and outdoor structures that fit your lifestyle.

Be it a screened in porch, an open air porch, a front porch or other outdoor structures, connect with us for a complimentary design consultation.

Call us at 629-209-1672, email us at hello@porchcompany.com or simply click right here to connect to us.

The Porch Company Brings Imaginative Style And Flair To This Custom Porch In 12 South Nashville

Living in the 12 South area of Nashville offers residents a truly unique experience, blending the best of urban living with a deep appreciation for outdoor spaces. The community's dedication to creating inviting and communal backyards reflects not only the Southern tradition of hospitality but also a shared love for the vibrant culture that defines this dynamic neighborhood. In 12 South, the outdoors isn't just an extension of one's home; it's a canvas for creating lasting memories and fostering connections that make this neighborhood truly special.

The architectural diversity in 12 South contributes to the neighborhood's unique character. From historic homes with wrap-around porches to modern constructions with stylish multi-functional back porches, residents have embraced the opportunity to personalize their outdoor living spaces.

A Perfect Example Custom Designed And Built With Care Is This 12 South Rear Porch By The Porch Company

When our crew first arrived at this 12 South home, the rear of the house had a small, screened porch. It was very basic and just too narrow to be truly useful for this family.

Before.

So, first step, take down the existing porch. Step two, remove an existing gas fireplace inside the house which took up space in the old porch structure. In the design process, we created a new fireplace at the very back of the new porch and added a new window in place of the original fireplace.

After.

In order to maintain an uninterrupted sightline from inside the second story of the home into the backyard area, we made sure that the roofline of the new porch was low enough, so it did not block exterior views.

Other new architectural features include a vaulted, pitched roof which is noticeable once inside this new 12 South porch.

At the far left, as one exits the porch to the patio area, the landing was bumped out, to accommodate the BBQ grill.  This design gives the grill room enough to open the screen door and is not visually in your face when you’re inside the porch.

Frequently, homeowners request amenities for the family pooch.  Here our porch team also added a doggie door in the lower section of one of the screen doors.  Very convenient.

Architectural Details Make This 12 South Porch Unique

Looking at the porch from poolside, the two different rooflines can be seen.  The section that attaches the porch to the house is virtually flat while the larger portion of the porch is covered by a hip roof.  The flat breezeway section gives the designer the leeway to create almost any shape for the larger section.  

Once inside the porch, the upward view shows two rustic, stained beams supporting the roof, in addition to a large oscillating fan at the very roof center and heaters along the header boards.

The flat roof breezeway section now becomes the dining area. The heater situated overhead gives diners a little extra warmth on a spring or fall day.

The two different rooflines give the porch two distinct spaces.  The hip roof section becomes a comfortable living room arrangement with a teak bench, and nice sized porch swing plus the two captain chairs. In the foreground, as soon as you step from the house onto the porch, is the dining table and chairs, ready for a spring brunch or summer lunch.

This porch features products that are from The Porch Store such as picket fence style railings and the screened doors.  The solid paneled screen door is one of many styles offered.

Focusing on the railing inserts, we used a 30-inch height so that folks inside the porch could easily see out into the yard or into the pool area. This height is stipulated by codes if the porch is 30 inches or less to grade.  The picket design also helps keep the air moving on a porch.  

For the porch floor, tongue and groove pressure treated pine flooring with a light finish was installed, achieving the look the homeowner wanted.  Pine flooring is one of many choices a homeowner has when planning their outdoor room. 

Being sure not to be without the glow and crackle of a custom fireplace, our new installation includes one at the far end of the porch. To keep the fireplace, mantel and raised hearth within codes restrictions, a concrete mantel from MagraHearth with a wood finish was chosen.

Catering To Homes Within 12 South Neighborhood And Way Beyond

It is interesting to note that The Porch Store was a company that evolved naturally over time, under the umbrella of The Porch Company.

The Porch Company has been designing and building porches in Nashville, Tennessee, for over 30 years. The Porch Company’s experience, reputation and beautiful photos had homeowners from all over the United States calling and asking, “How can I get that railing in this photo?,” or, “Can I buy the screen door on this page of your website?” … so much so that we thought – maybe you can!

The Porch Company started producing these products and shipping them out to customers all over the country. And more than 10 years later, we created our own specialty LLC; The Porch Store.

Ever since, The Porch Store has been growing and evolving. We hope to give everyone access to quality products that enhance the look of their outdoor living space, regardless of the city or state they live in.

The Porch Company Is Easy To Connect To

Call us at 629-209-0849. Or just click this link to reach our team.

How To Take Your Front Porch And Rear Deck To The Next Level With The Porch Company In Belle Meade Highlands

Belle Meade Highlands, situated inside the Metro Nashville area, is a blend of old and new homes. The area offers unique and charming options when it comes to outdoor living.

The landscapes and structures within this neighborhood are meticulously designed, reflecting a harmonious blend of nature and sophistication. The outdoor living spaces in Belle Meade Highlands are not merely extensions of homes; rather, they are retreats that seamlessly integrate with the natural beauty of their surroundings.

Such is evident in this front porch and rear deck transformation. The operative word of the day here is LOW MAINTENANCE.

Low Maintenance Outdoor Leisure Enjoyment On A Front Porch Custom Built With Non-wood Building Materials

Many homeowners in Belle Meade Highlands invest in outdoor amenities to enhance their living spaces. Expansive front porches and rear decks that are well-appointed and highly functional have become the focal points for social gatherings and family events.

This client wanted us to reinvent their front porch making it totally maintenance-free, so TimberTech Advanced PVC by AZEK building materials were specified for their dependability.

Why TimberTech Advanced PVC by AZEK Is Always At The Top Of Our Low Maintenance Materials List

TimberTech Advanced PVC by AZEK, a brand known for its high-performance, low-maintenance decking and porch products, offers several benefits that make it an attractive choice for these outdoor spaces.

1. Resistance to Moisture and Mold: AZEK products are engineered to resist moisture, making them less prone to issues such as rot, warping, and mold growth. This is particularly advantageous for front porches and backyard rear decks, as these areas are constantly exposed to the elements. The resistance to moisture ensures that the material remains durable and attractive over time. There are no wood fibers in the boards.

2. No Painting or Staining Required: AZEK products are made with excellent UV resistance. This means that the color is built into the material, reducing the need for painting or staining. Homeowners can enjoy the aesthetic appeal of their front porches and rear decks without the hassle of regular painting or staining maintenance.

3. Easy Cleaning: AZEK products are easy to clean with just soap and water. This simplifies the maintenance process, allowing homeowners to keep their front porches and backyard decks looking pristine without the need for specialized cleaning agents or labor-intensive maintenance routines.

4. Long Lifespan: AZEK materials are engineered for longevity. The durable construction and resistance to various environmental factors contribute to a longer lifespan compared to some traditional decking materials. This durability reduces the frequency of replacements, making it a cost-effective and low-maintenance choice in the long run.

5. Insect Resistance: Unlike natural wood, AZEK is not susceptible to insect damage. This feature is particularly advantageous for outdoor structures like decks and porches, where insects can pose a threat to the structural integrity of traditional wood materials. With AZEK, homeowners can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their outdoor spaces are less vulnerable to insect-related issues.

6. Sustainability: AZEK boards are made from 60% recycled material, including post-construction scraps like vinyl siding and trim.  And at the end of its’ useful life, it is fully recyclable. A green PVC decking product like no other on the market.

A True Joint Effort In Perfecting A Low Maintenance Transformation For Both The Front Porch And The Backyard Rear Deck In Belle Meade Highlands

The great thing about this transformation outdoor living and utility upgrade is that the homeowners – who were avid gardeners – knew exactly what they wanted us to achieve.

These front porch people are extremely fastidious, tidy and neat so understandably they wanted everything as maintenance-free as possible, so our team went to great lengths to make sure that is precisely what we did for them.

Accessorized with vibrant red pillows on the white rocking chairs, it all complements the bright red door, resulting in a sweet porch.

We used our PVC picket panels from The Porch Store, and we put an AZEK cap rail on top of each section, creating a flat surface for a cool drink.

We used Hermitage Sleeves from The Porch Store for wrapping the stair posts.

Critter control is a concern for many homeowners.  Skirting was installed at the base to keep wandering little creatures out. Holding true to the low maintenance schema, more AZEK building material was deployed for that detail.

A Rear Deck That Is The Ultimate Blend Of Outdoor Living Comfort, Functionality And More

This residence also had a back rear deck with the framework already established, but the decking had seen better days and needed to be replaced.

The homeowners had a nifty way to accommodate hiding their trash cans. Trap doors were built on the deck that lifts up to expose the trash cans below.  While the original design was clever, it was made of wood. Aged, splintered wood needed to be redone.  AZEK again was specified in this portion of the project.  No painting or touch up needed in the years to come.

From the street side view, there are the two white gates that open keeping the trash can hidden until they are rolled out for collection. Brilliant, we think. It’s a great way to comply with HOA rules and regulations in good taste and high style.

Bring Your Ideas and Outdoor Living Thoughts to The Porch Company - We Love a Challenge!

 We invite you to energize your creativity by viewing custom examples of our porches and outdoor living spaces.

 When you’re ready to meet with us in person, please call us at 615-662-2886 or click here to connect with us.

This Screened Porch Is Just What The Doctor Ordered For This Classic Home In The Nations

Quaint. Cozy. Welcoming. And perfectly sized for the family, this new custom screened porch design in The Nations is as elegant as it is smartly designed.

With soft neutral interior tones of soft blue, mocha and tan, the interior of the hip roof of the screened porch matches the hip roof of the house itself, giving the impression that the screened porch was always there – and not brand new.

As you step out of the house, onto the screened porch, you’ll notice the new structure is supported in part by the existing column, which now appears in white.

The pastel-like mocha interior siding is native to the home, whereas the deeper colored tan above it is new.

New Interior TV Wall Adds Exterior Sound Protection With A Touch Of Class

To help the family enjoy sporting events, movies, and their favorite streaming channels, a private TV wall at the far left was built and painted in a contrasting color.

In addition to giving their TV a new home, the bonus is that the TV wall now camouflages and hides the exterior HVAC unit behind it in the backyard – a solution to prevent an unsightly structure that could have interfered with the interior experience of the new design. The new wall also lessens the noise while the unit is in operation.

AZEK Entrance Deck And Black Iron Fortress Railing Welcomes Family And Friends In High Style

From the backyard landscape, the family can easily access the new screened porch via a 5-step staircase and entrance landing, using AZEK low maintenance decking.

To guide those who enter – and to protect the perimeter of the new space – black iron Fortress railing was chosen.

Why Fortress?

A black iron Fortress railing is a heavily favored stylish and effective addition to protect a new screened porch. These iron railings are known for their durability, strength, and low maintenance requirements.

It is interesting to note that iron is a durable material that can withstand various weather conditions, making it extremely suitable and practical for outdoor use. It is resistant to rust and corrosion, especially if it is properly coated or painted.

The black spindles of the railings seem to actually ‘disappear’ in the viewer’s line of sight.  Fortress railings also allow great air flow, while still meeting requirements of the codes department. The strength of iron adds an extra layer of protection, which is especially important if the porch is elevated or if there are children or pets.

Aesthetically, black iron railings add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design of your screened porch. They can complement various architectural styles and enhance the visual appeal of your outdoor space.

Atop It All, Pine Rafters and Spruce Sheathing

Painted white to enhance the soft tones of the decorated space, we installed and then painted familiar materials of pine and spruce. The stained horizontal rafter serves as the best location for the oversized comfort fan.

The streamlined design of the fan is a beautiful accent to the new interior design in its minimal yet pronounced design expanse.

Also of note is the electrical outlet strategically installed below the ceiling to accommodate the string of festive bistro lights that add just the right touch of illumination whimsy after sunset.

The Porch Company Invites You To Request And Schedule A Complimentary Screened Porch And Deck Consultation

To connect with us for a complimentary screened porch consultation for a new structure or to upgrade and expand one you currently have, call our team at your convenience at 615-662-2886 – or click right here to connect with us.

Detached Screened Porch in Nashville TN: Revitalizing an 1899 Victorian Home

The Porch Company: Where History Meets Modern Elegance

In the heart of Nashville, TN, stands a Victorian home, a silent witness to the passage of time since 1899. The Porch Company's recent detached screened porch project is a remarkable addition to this historic property, showcasing a unique blend of the home's rich past with modern living comforts.

Respecting Nashville Heritage in Every Design

Attention to detail is paramount in projects involving historic homes. The Porch Company's approach was to rebuild the deck using pressure-treated decking. This choice ensured long-lasting quality without compromising the home's original aesthetic. The new structure, a Victorian detached screened porch, features a meticulously designed gable roof. This addition not only complements but also enhances the historic character of the home. The porch's roof was designed to match the pitch of the existing house, and its red metal roofing was chosen to echo the main building's roof, creating a seamless and harmonious addition.

Designing A Detached Screened Porch with A Local Builder Expertise

Customization is key to preserving the unique essence of historic homes. The Nashville project featured custom-made spindles and PVC pickets crafted in-house at The Porch Company. These elements were designed to echo the home's original style, with the pickets assembled in panels, offering both aesthetic appeal and installation efficiency. The addition of double sapele doors to the porch not only serves a functional purpose but also adds a sense of authenticity, enhancing the overall appeal of the space.

Bringing Your Vision to Life with Attention to Detail

This project's standout feature is the custom railings, entirely made of PVC and specifically crafted for this porch. This element highlights The Porch Company's dedication to tailored design. At The Porch Store, the team offers custom-designed railings, enabling clients to bring their unique patterns and design dreams to life.

Interior Design: A Symphony of Style and Comfort

The interior of the screened porch is a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship. The flooring, made of tongue and groove cypress, sets a welcoming tone for the space. The large gabled roof with an exposed rafters ceiling adds spaciousness, while the stained ceiling, floors, and doors provide a stark, beautiful contrast to the white walls, a popular style choice, even in contemporary porches.  

At night, the porch transforms into a serene haven, thanks to strategically placed track lights mounted to the rafters. These lights create a soft illumination that enhances the beauty of the ceiling, ensuring the porch is as inviting at night as it is during the day.

The Warmth of a True Masonry Fireplace

Central to this screened porch's allure is the true masonry fireplace. Its brick veneer was chosen to match the home's original brick, creating a sense of continuity and respect for the home's history. This fireplace is not just a source of warmth but also a focal point for gatherings, making the porch an ideal spot for relaxation throughout the year.

Expanding the Horizons of Historic Home Renovation

This project exemplifies The Porch Company's expertise in enhancing historic homes while maintaining their original charm. The team's meticulous approach to design, from the choice of materials to the custom elements, reflects a deep understanding of how modern amenities can complement historical architecture.

Embracing the Future, Honoring the Past

The Porch Company's detached screened porch in Nashville, TN stands as a shining example of how modern design techniques can be applied to historic homes without losing their essence. By carefully choosing materials, colors, and designs that resonate with the home's original character, the team ensured that the new addition feels like a natural extension of the home rather than an afterthought.

Transforming Visions into Reality

At The Porch Company, the goal is not just to build porches but to create spaces that enhance the living experience while respecting the history and character of each home. The team works closely with homeowners to understand their vision and bring it to life, ensuring that each project is as unique as the home it complements.

Begin Your Historic Home Transformation

For homeowners of historic properties, the challenge of modernizing while preserving the past can be daunting. The Porch Company offers a solution: a partnership where your vision and the home's heritage are treated with equal reverence. This detached screened porch in Nashville, TN, is more than just a construction project; it's a celebration of history, design, and the art of living well.

Ready to start your journey with The Porch Company? Contact us today by visiting our contact page or calling us at (615) 662-2886 Let's transform your vision into a beautiful reality.

Exceptional Outdoor Living Combination Space In Green Hills

Multiple dimensions and sightlines define this custom screened porch and dual deck combination outdoor living space located in Green Hills, TN.

The lower level of the new deck at far left is fashioned out of AZEK composite decking and features a large tabletop firepit surrounded by comfortable seating for 6 adults.

Look to the right and step up to the second level that features more seating for outdoor relaxation and conversation.  A Big Green Egg combination grill and smoker stands ready for dinner duty.

Steps away, you enter a new screened porch that reflects the beauty of nature with its woodsy and warm hues of sage green and natural wood.

As for what’s entailed in this beautiful structure we used:

√ New siding

√ New Sapele double doors

√ A new set of windows

√ And our team installed a new back wall at the far inside left of the screened porch to accommodate an oversized smart TV.

Due to the low sloped roof of the new structure, and its ridge beam, no rafter ties were used.

Custom Designed Screened Porch That Exudes Intimacy And Warmth

Once inside the new screened porch, a glance up showcases the rich and handsome hues of a real wood ceiling to complement the newly installed TV back wall.

As for the floor of this interior space, we installed an 1/8th inch thick hardscape veneer that resembles fine tile. This underfoot solution now provides durability and ease of maintenance for the homeowners.

With outdoor heaters installed on beams on the interior, ample comfort can be enjoyed when cooler days and evenings prevail. Also at night, handsome vertical post lights illuminate the space with a subtle glow, casting brightness in both directions.

Bonus Of Seasonal Storage Underneath It All

From the backyard landscape, the family can easily access protected storage via the two hinged carriage barn doors under the newly built TV wall.

Perfect for seasonal décor, outdoor furniture, pillows, cushions, and other leisure necessities, it is strategically out of sight, for folks to enjoy the double deck outdoors and the newly fashioned interior screened porch.

Added Value To Leisure Outdoor Enjoyment Throughout Nashville And Green Hills

The Porch Company takes great pride in being the premiere custom design and build construction company focusing on creating screen porches, open-air porches and outdoor structures that fit our clients’ unique needs and lifestyles.

From dedicated and seasoned Project Managers, to Carpenters, Designers, and everything in between, we pride ourselves on the quality of our people – and the stunning screened porch structures we create.

To delve deeper into our proprietary process, click here.

To contact us for a complimentary screened porch consultation for a new structure or an upgrade to one you already enjoy, call our team at your convenience at 615-662-2886 – or click right here to connect with us.

Elegant Solutions In West End

West End is a main artery of Nashville that stretches from downtown all the way to older, established neighborhood areas. It's dotted with highlights like Centennial Park, the city’s premier urban park, as well as Vanderbilt University’s main campus. All these elements and more make this West End neighborhood a highly desirable locale in Nashville.

This is where The Porch Company was able to design and build an elegant, screened porch addition.  It did, however, come with its fair share of obstacles. Our team was able to brainstorm the right solution, integrating the home’s two unique rooflines, and deciding placement of the new porch.  Ensuring no loss of light into the home was a priority.  

Connecting A West End Home With A New Porch With Two Unique Roof Lines

To address the existing roofs on both sides of the new structure, we designed and implemented a double-entry breezeway connecting the pre-existing house with the new outdoor living room porch.

As the two roof lines were a challenge, we created a breezeway connecting the house to the porch. The house has a concrete shingle roof, which the family did not want us to alter in any way, so we detached the porch structure so as not to compromise the original roof.

For architectural integrity, notice the original home on the right and how we mirrored the hip roof profile in the new detached porch.

The breezeway needed to be wide enough to accommodate a new set of stairs with step lights between the two structures. The sapele doors are four feet wide, and since we custom make our doors, this large custom size did not pose a problem for us.

Where To Position A New Porch When Dealing With Varied Roof Levels

 To maintain a very clean design, as the porch is high off the ground, we needed to match the elevated floor level of the existing home for flow and continuity.

As such, we needed to install a set of stairs between the two structures with step lights, the latter to facilitate safer, easier access and exit when darkness sets in. As you can imagine, good visibility is a prime concern when dealing with an exterior stairway this steep.

How To Establish A “Been There Forever Look”

Not wanting to have it appear as an added-on feature to the home, the color of the porch was matched in a soft green tone to complement the exterior trim color of the home.

As for the porch interior highlights, we used the popular choice of tongue and groove cypress flooring. The ceiling above it all was stained to match the floor for a fluid design aesthetic.

For the adjacent deck, we used premium low maintenance TimberTech by AZEK decking on the deck, as well as on the stairs.

To mimic the exterior style of the home, we used exposed rafters on the porch, with no gutter board.

As the homeowner was an avid gardener, and to allow her uninterrupted views of the textures, forms, and colors within her rear landscape,  square aluminum picket railings were chosen to retain an unobstructed view.

How To Thwart Home Interior Darkness When Adding A Porch

Our clients love the natural light that comes through the two porch openings as it helps maintain the light flowing into the home interior.

 To further encourage the transmission of more natural light, we used transoms over the custom doors to mimic those in the existing home.

For more light when needed, our rafter ties feature track lighting on top to illuminate the ceiling, throwing more light down onto the porch.

As you can see, further embellishments include a ceiling fan and Solaira infrared heaters, as well.

Solving Outdoor Living Challenges And Complex Problems Is Where We Shine

We help create spaces that invite you to relax and enjoy time with family and friends, regardless of any structural challenges that may exist.

To explore the vast world of uncompromised porch possibilities, call us at 615-662-2886. Alternatively, you can also click this link to connect with our team.

Limited Landscape Area Proves No Obstacle For This Straight And Skinny Slice Of Outdoor Living Luxury In Nashville’s 12 South District

Reflecting back on this recent backyard transformation, we are reminded of the axiom “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” So in addition to our expert design and porch construction team, we partnered with Palmingo Pools and Integrity Landscape & Design to bring this refreshing recipe to life.

Although the plot of land this 12 South home sits on is long and thin, we loved the challenge on how to maximize every square inch of it, giving the family exactly what they were looking for despite confining property plot lines.

Take One Part Inground Swimming Pool Add A Paver Patio Blend With A Custom Porch Creation By The Porch Company And Drink It All In

Savor the flavor of this exquisite resort-like backyard that now is the hit of 12 South.

It’s all inviting and beautiful. Right?

It looks like a dream come true. Right?

But when it came to installing the swimming pool, it could have been a nightmare.

Palmingo Pools had to high-lift a crane with the pool over this 3-story house in order to get it into the lot and situated in the place it now calls home.

As for the stunning grey tones of the paver patio, stone walls and that stunning louvered arbor, that was all Integrity Landscape & Design.

Our contribution is the slender 9-foot wide custom screened porch, resplendent in shades of rich grey tones to augment the exterior palette.

This combination of a lower level porch and elevated deck amazingly accommodates a ventless gas fireplace with a Porch Co mantle, a large Smart TV and comfortable performance fabric, weather-resistant cushioned seating.

Come Al Fresco Dining Time, Step Up To The New Outdoor Dining Room

 The newly refurbished elevated concrete deck now features a dining table with two swivel captain chairs and a loveseat.

When crossing the tongue and grove Thermally modified ash floor in the porch, notice how limited space proved to be no obstacle to giving our client exactly what she was looking for – quaint, cozy, warm and large enough to enjoy the outdoor leisure pleasures of life.

To complement the porch flooring, we stained the elevated concrete deck area for visual continuity and design cohesiveness.

This long, narrow outdoor living space also manages to feature a heater recessed in the ceiling, a sliding door, and a deck above it all with a rubber roof reinforced with synthetic decking.

Really – what more could one ask for?

The Only True Limits Lie Within One’s Mind – Not Ours

Where there is a will, there’s a way – and this custom installation loudly proves that point.

We invite you to meet with us to explore all that is truly possible with custom porch possibilities.

Call us at 615-662-2886. You can also click this link right here to connect with our team.

The Porch Company Team Wishes You And Yours A Blessed And Peaceful Christmas Season!

Wishing you the most blessed and peaceful Christmas season ever.

Nancy Moore, Founder / President / Designer

The Porch Company

Oak Hill TN Combination Backyard Deck, Screened Porch, Grill Area And Widow’s Walk Are The Talk Of The Town

For more than 50 years, this Oak Hill TN residence had a concrete slab raised patio at the rear of the home. As it was high time for a major change, they called The Porch Company to transform and reinvent the area.

Out With The Old, And In With The New

 After removing the existing concrete slab patio, our team went to work to create one of the most spectacular backyard transformations in recent memory. From the rear landscape, this new vision in white adds dimension, depth, and visual drama to this family home. Expanding the rear of the home into the yard, they now enjoy both the exterior and interior views of this stunning combination outdoor oasis.

Accented by interesting landscaping and architecturally interesting seasonal steel planter boxes, you walk six steps up on the left from the backyard and enter a generously appointed grill area.

We used the Hermitage sleeve on the exterior staircase posts and Fortress SP56 black iron railing to surround that adjacent area.

Continuing this reveal of high style, for the new lower deck, we used Tongue and Groove AZEK PVC material.  This same innovative low maintenance material was used to craft the grill cabinet, finishing it with a granite countertop creating contemporary convenience with a classically finished accent.

A New Screened Porch Featuring Some Our Most Beautiful Proprietary Architectural Accents

Entering the new luxurious screened porch and outdoor dining room, you can’t help but notice our beautiful Sapele double doors. Also in the screened porch interior, we installed Thermory ash flooring with tongue and groove roof decking on the sloped beam ceiling.

Around the perimeter of the screened porch ceiling, we installed Solaira heaters to add a comfortable touch of warmth, when needed.

Speaking of warm touches, at the far left, a raised hearth ventless gas fireplace was installed and adorned with one of our Porch Store’s hand-hewn wooden mantles. Of special note, our mantels are designed to conceal any wiring within the mantel for flawless design continuity without sacrificing any necessary functionality. Creative thinking and planning – just another of our hallmarks.

Sometimes Less Is More

To provide a pure, unobstructed view of the installation from the rear landscape, we used PorchCo custom PVC fence to disguise the HVAC unit at the left rear of the lower level.

Keeping It High And Dry By Design

Another example of proactive design and build porch and deck methodology is that we intentionally sloped the foundation so that rainwater will intentionally drain away from the structure to keep it nice and dry, even in the most wet conditions.

The Icing On The Proverbial Cake – A Second Floor Balcony Porch

To enjoy the fresh Oak Hill breezes from the second floor of the home, we designed a Widow’s Walk porch and deck, protected by our custom PVC fence and PorchCo picket panels.

A Widow’s Walk is a special architectural feature, that provides an elevated vantage point for enjoying views of the rear landscape, which is deep and beautifully textured with greenery. This decorative element complements the large scale of the home and completes this unique outdoor living combination space.

As for the origin of the term, a "widow's walk" has historical ties to the wives of sailors or sea captains. It is said that these women would use the elevated platform to watch for the return of their husbands from sea voyages. Hence, the name "widow's walk" is derived from the idea that these women often spent anxious hours waiting for their loved ones to return, and sometimes, tragically, they became widows when their husbands were lost at sea.

We Look Forward To Hearing From You For Your Next Porch And Deck Renovation In Oak Hill TN

We are easy to talk to and even easier to connect with.

Call us at 615-662-2886.

Or click this link for a complimentary porch design consultation.

How To Create Your Nashville Outdoor Living Space When High off The Ground, to Deliver A Huge WOW Factor

Beautiful from any perspective, this second story porch features our Porch Company Southern Cross PVC panels to accent and define the elevated porch.

Below, along the staircase, you’ll find a Fortress iron railing to guide you to the elevated ascent.

We Think Of Everything And Sweat The Details In Creating Exceptional Screened Porches

An inventive combination of delicate feminine curved design touches, capped by a rustic stained wood beam rafter ceiling interior, are augmented with box columns and tongue and groove cypress flooring.

Notice the arched openings used on the screened porch openings to add architectural interest and drama.

Knowing that even the smallest details make a big difference, we painted the underside of the porch system and staircase because of the visibility of this area.

Believe It Or Not, This Exceptionally Designed Screened Door Is Not Made From Wood; It’s Handcrafted From PVC

Why PVC?

PVC and wood are two different materials commonly used in construction, and each has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to building screened porches and outside doors. For an application such as this, our team considered PVC a better building material for several reasons.

Design Flexibility: PVC can be molded into various shapes and profiles, allowing for more design flexibility than wood. This is particularly useful when you want to create custom, intricate details in your porch or door frames.

Stability: PVC maintains its shape and dimensions, even in changing weather conditions. Wood can expand and contract with temperature and humidity fluctuations, potentially leading to warping or doors that don't fit properly.

Durability: PVC is highly resistant to weathering, moisture, rot, and insect infestations, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications. In contrast, wood is susceptible to rot, decay, and termite damage over time, which can result in maintenance and replacement costs.

Low Maintenance: PVC requires very little maintenance. It does not need to be painted or stained, and it will not warp, crack, or split. Wood, on the other hand, requires regular maintenance in the form of painting or sealing to protect it from the elements and keep it looking good.

Longevity: PVC has a longer lifespan than wood when exposed to the elements. PVC can last for decades without significant degradation, whereas wood may require regular replacement or costly repairs over time.

Insect Resistance: PVC is not attractive to insects like termites or carpenter ants, which can be a significant concern with wood. Using PVC can reduce the risk of insect damage to your screened porch or outside doors.

Eco-Friendly Material: Our PVC building products are recyclable and are made from recycled materials, which is a more sustainable choice compared to using wood from old-growth forests.

A Hip Roof Design Yields A Richly Wonderful Upward Feeling of Height and Spaciousness

The spruce wood ceiling overhead was chosen for its dramatic visual effect and texture, as well as for its resistance to weather effects.

Cypress wood flooring is naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage due to its high content of cypressene, a natural preservative oil. This makes it a great choice for exterior applications, where it is exposed to the elements.

Furthermore, Cypress wood can last for many years, even in harsh outdoor conditions, without the need for extensive maintenance or treatments. This durability makes it a cost-effective option over the long term.

Your Porch Should Be Just As Beautiful As The Interior Of Your Home – Let Us Show You How To Achieve It

We help create spaces that invite you to relax and enjoy time with family and friends.

To explore a terrific world of screened porch possibilities, call us at 615-662-2886. Alternatively, you can also click this link right here to connect with our team.

Creative Thinking And Design Mastery Are Just The Beginning Of This Forest Hills TN Screened Porch And Deck Combination Space

When we first arrived at this majestic Forest Hills family home, we noticed the rear of the home already had a very large second-story deck, which the family wished to keep. So we retained the footprint of that existing deck structure, strengthened it and changed the decking, adding a screened porch in the process.

The resulting transformed outdoor living space now consists of a screened porch and deck combination space with dry space for storage under the screened porch.

Keeping What Works And Improving What Doesn’t

By keeping the original second-story deck and redecking its surface, we kept what had worked for this family, but we added a new screened porch.  We also replaced the deck railing with black metal Fortress rail and used a composite cap on the railing even though the deck is Thermory Pine.

Our screened porch design plan yielded a hip roof on the new porch supported by The Porch Company box columns. For protection and architectural interest, we embellished it with a wood picket railing

Beautiful Longevity By Using Thermory Pine Decking On The Deck And Porch

Our team chose the new durability standard for softwood decking,

Thermory Pine Decking. It redefines expectations for softwood decking. Unequaled in durability and stability, this thermally modified Scots pine decking features distinct knots, a beautiful golden brown color, and no visible sapwood.

As the house indentation has an existing ceiling – and the new porch has a roof of its own, to introduce natural sunlight we needed a creative solution.

So, we installed sun tunnels in the ceiling to allow more light into the porch and thus, into the home. Notice the soft glow of natural sunlight on the interior brick wall. A win/win.

Best of all, sun tunnels are a sustainable lighting solution as they reduce the need for artificial lighting during the daytime, which can lead to energy savings. Also, they provide a natural and pleasing quality of light, enhancing the visual comfort and ambiance of the interior space.

A Floating Stone Fireplace Provides Unique Architectural Interest While Keeping The Chilly Evenings More Comfortable

Notice the floating stone fireplace, which we cantilevered as the faux stone is lighter than traditional stone. Positioned in front of the conversation seating area, and to the right of the screened porch dining room, this gas-burning heat source adds a cozy touch to keep family and friends comfortable – while giving them something beautiful to look at.

Speaking of comfort, we also installed a 72-inch ceiling fan, Solaira heaters and ambient coach lighting on the horizontal columns.

As we used the existing posts for the exterior staircase, we dressed them up a bit with our Hermitage sleeves on the staircase of the deck, which worked great for adding the needed height.

Using Real Wood For Exterior Porch Spaces With Peak Modified Wood

The aim of Peak Modified Wood is to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber. The heat modification treatment of the real wood dries out the inherit sugars in the wood to keep bugs out and resist rot.

This modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, and reduced water absorption, with less expansion and contraction. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.

Questions? Just Call Us!

We’d love to connect with you to answer any questions you may have or to assist you in scheduling a complimentary design consultation for your own new project or home improvement.

Call us at (615) 662-2886, or connect with us instantly by clicking this link right here.

This Porch Company Screened Porch In East Nashville Is Elegance Personified!

This newest East Nashville screened porch design checks all the boxes for beauty, charm, creativity, and functional layout.

This classic white screened porch features the architectural highlight of a crisscross transom design at the top of the gable roof. It is interesting to note that the newly built gable porch roof is higher than the roof of the house itself. Notice the niche on the outer right deck area. That recess accommodates a creative solution so that falling rainwater does not interfere with the screened wall panel. Instead, the water is diverted and routed into the black-accent-painted gutter and drainpipe – a practical solution to thwart moisture issues down the road.

A Splinter-Free Wood Handrail Features An AZEK Low Maintenance PVC Rail Cover Top

Knowing that this beautiful porch design will accommodate much in and out traffic over the years to come, and to ensure that hands touching the railing top would not be exposed to wood splinters over time, the top of the rail is durable, low maintenance AZEK decking material.  As you can see, the staircase is positioned for a choice – front yard or back yard?

A Multi-Functional Interior, Richly Appointed, Accented By Dark Wood Tones Balanced By White

The handsome wood rafter beams on the inside of this screen porch are stained using a dark color, which accompanies the dark cypress flooring.

Surrounded by white walls, area rugs and comfortable white upholstered seating furniture, it’s an environment that the homeowner now enjoys daily – and is one that neighbors and visiting guests won’t soon forget.  The sunlight that filters through the mesh screens casts a warm and dappled glow across the space. 

That Much Sought-After Touch Of Black To Complete The Design In The Chandelier, Ceiling Fans And Coach Lights

The breathtaking antique chandelier, the homeowner’s first purchase for her project, in black with luminescent accents of gold, takes center stage in the ceiling rafter design. Long-lasting LED chandelier bulbs provide adequate dimmable lighting for evening alfresco dining and casual nighttime leisure and conversation. Augmenting the lighting design are energy-efficient coach lights around the interior periphery of the custom screened porch.

A Touch Of Pink With A Purpose – By Design

The interior accent color scheme of painting the entry door back into the home is pink – inspired by the client’s brother who is an artist. The original floral lily close-up features rich red, pink, and green tones, to complement the backyard vista.

Behind it will soon rest a smart TV which will be camouflaged by the original artwork when the TV is not in use. The result is tasteful, smart, and very practical.

We Would Love To Have Designs On Your Outdoor Living Future

For a chance to meet with our professional design team for creative, unique and highly practical solutions, connect with us by phone at 615-662-2886 – or simply click right here. It’s that easy to connect with us.

Delightful To Look At And Even Better To Relax In, This White Brentwood Porch Says, “Welcome Home” In Elegant, Livable Style

This porch design is a great example of a multi-functional outdoor room.

There is a generous room for relaxing, watching TV, keeping warm by the fire, and enjoying a terrific meal – all surrounded with the creature comforts of a custom designed screened porch.

Cloaked In White With Natural Accents Of Stone, Wicker And Brass; This Screened Porch Is An Outdoor Living Dream Come True

Imagine stepping into a screened porch that rivals the most beautiful home interior you’ve ever seen. That’s this latest Porch Company creation now being enjoyed in Brentwood, Tennessee.

One step down from the home’s interior finds you enveloped in casual elegance, with the sloped beamed ceiling under the hip roof, nestled inside the three screened exterior walls made extra special with Chippendale design railing panels.

In its previous life, where this screened porch now sits, there was an uncovered wooden deck. Today, this home improvement renovation captures what’s best in leisure living.

From the backyard exterior, entry into the new space is made very easy via our double screen doors with Chippendale inserts. For evening illumination, vertical brass coach lights flank both sides of the entryway. These same light fixtures are carried over to the inside of the space too, strategically positioned on the interior columns.

Manufactured faux stone was used in building the fireplace that is powered by gas. A Porch Store mantel, stained in a dark chestnut color, complements the design scheme.

A ground level access panel under the new porch provides a great weather-tight, dry area for seasonal décor and yard items.

An Added Element Of Fun, A Concave, Deep Seated Porch Swing

Tucked inside the new space, visitors and guests can’t help but notice the suspended hanging chair above the furry bearskin rug. Sitting in it, swaying to and fro, is an open invitation to relax for all who are welcomed into the space. The nautical blue-stripped pillow accent adds just the right touch of seasonal whimsy.

Adjacent to it, across from the white brick home exterior wall, is casual seating for four at a round table, which serves as the location for game night or summer meals. Both activities are made more comfortable with the placement of the overhead fan, moving the air and keeping diners and gamers cool!

Cozy And Comfortable Living Room Seating Six

As you head toward the fireplace, you are welcome to sit a spell in your choice of a three-seater couch – fashioned in wicker and white fabric – as well as a two-seater loveseat and captain’s reading chair.

The layout of furniture is often at the top of the list to think about when we design a porch. It is not just about creating a screened room. It is about creating an outdoor living room, that flows with the footprint of the home, dovetailing into the homeowners’ wish list for this new exterior space.

Contrasting Brown Thermory Ash Flooring Sets The Stage For This Oasis Of White

To contrast the architectural essence of this all-white screened porch, underfoot you’ll find this beautiful Thermory Ash porch floor. Coming from the mill with a touchable smoothness, these boards offer splinter-free leisure life, a bonus for our barefooted friends.

For a porch that’s not only strikingly beautiful, but also stable and rot-resistant, a Thermory Ash porch flooring is the clear choice. Built-in expansion beads prevent warping, giving you a polished, stunning porch floor for years to come.

A Cottage Chic Décor Style Makes This Brentwood Screened Porch An Exceptional Visual Experience

If this outdoor space was on the menu of your favorite ice cream parlor, it would be labeled “Vanilla Dream.” The delicious combination of soft white and crème hues offset with the natural richness of wood and wicker more than whets the appetite – literally and figuratively.

From contemporary to mid-century modern to country cottage, any aesthetic experience you wish to relax in and enjoy will most certainly be at home in a custom screened porch design by The Porch Company.

Step Down Into Outdoor Living Luxury With Us

Discover the many ways you can create your own mood and sense of style with expert custom architectural design and construction from The Porch Company.

For a complimentary screened porch design consultation, let’s meet.

To schedule that, call us at 615-662-2886, option #2; or complete the contact form found right here.

Interior design by Elizabeth Burch, www.elizabethburchinteriors.com

Gentle “Bahama” Breezes Envelop This Thoughtfully Designed And Accented Backyard Screened Porch

If you’re a fan of outdoor dining with a touch of the tropics surrounding you and your guests, feast your eyes on this romantic dining nook banquette by The Porch Company.

Underneath this gabled roof porch, privacy and fresh Tennessee breezes abound within this charming dining area with comfortable seating for 8 people or more.

Custom built and fashioned from hard maple, this porch banquette seating bench features another surprise – innovatively designed storage drawers. Intended to easily hold dinner plates, glassware, utensils, napkins, and any other mealtime accoutrement, the conveniently located black farmhouse pull handles on both bench ends are as refined as they are practical.

A New Entry For A New Outdoor Living Experience

Our team installed a new set of doors at the home entry point to the porch, consisting of fewer panes, yielding a more modern, more contemporary look. Speaking of “looks”, this porch includes cedar Bahama shutters painted sage green on the exterior around the dining area. Bahama shutters function well for privacy and protection from the elements.  

On the floor, tongue and groove cypress wood welcomes foot traffic, be it for an impromptu visit or a planned day of fun and relaxation.

Up top, the vaulted ceiling interior provides a lovely contrast within the newly designed outdoor room.

Overhead Textures And Colors That Are A Delight To Behold

The use of dark stain on the interior ceiling with off-white painted rafter ties is proving to be a very popular design option for our Tennessee porches of late. The contrasting color hues of this sloped roof interior lend volume and airiness to the space.

You will notice that the new double doors and sidelights are flanked by the home’s natural brick, painted in that same off-white color. This technique adds an effect of expansiveness to the length of the porch, enhancing the surface textures and making the interior design palette more cohesive and relaxing.

To the right of that brick wall, you’ll find our popular Porchco Sapele screened door at the porch entrance, accessible from the backyard leading to the adjacent deck.

Details That Matter – In A Big Way

As you look toward the focal point of the porch interior, the wood-burning stone fireplace has been customized with wood storage underneath. The side-by-side storage space compartment below the firebox gives the family a generous supply of seasoned wood for nighttime ambiance and warmth. The aesthetic surprise here is that the mantel is concrete – made to look like wood.

A Touch Of Gold For Interior Porch Accents

The warmth and glint of gold add a rich touch as seen in the framed interior art on both sides of the double-doored wall, as well as in the luminescent light globe fixtures at the base of the vaulted porch ceiling.

Placed strategically among the globe lights, we installed Solaira heaters to provide comfortable warmth when needed.

Designs That Are Delightful To Look At From A Custom Porch Team That Is All About Collaboration From The Start

Our custom porch design process begins with an idea. Rest assured that from your big dream to the finished product, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

The best way to start is with a complimentary porch design consultation. To schedule that visit, call us at 615-662-2886, option #2, email us at Hello@PorchCompany.com, or  click here to connect with us.

Comfort And Class Easily Combine To Define The Elegance And Utility Of This Screened Porch By The Porch Company

Remember the year that Sally Fields exclaimed, “I can’t deny the fact that you like me…you really like me,” at the 57th Academy Awards telecast acknowledging her performance in the film Places In The Heart.

 Well, our team at The Porch Company thinks that this Green Hills family shares that same sentiment, as evidenced by the fact that there is a framed section of our yard sign, a testimony of appreciation on display for all to see, hanging on the interior brick wall within their new screened porch.

A Porch So Carefully Planned That Even The HOA Likes Us

Making homeowners happy is one of our primary goals here at The Porch Company. From our much-valued clients who come to us for unique custom screened porch design and construction, to our team members who make it happen, our goal is to make all your porch dreams come true.

With this custom screened porch installation, of primary importance to achieve happiness all around started by following the regulations as outlined by the neighborhood’s Homeowners Association.

The lower third of the porch’s screened walls needed to follow the exterior HOA’s aesthetic code of using a lattice wall system for community design continuity.

Designing To Complement The Home’s Architecture, This Porch Needed A Sloped Roof

As we discussed in an earlier blog post, the pitch of a porch roof must be such that it facilitates the downward flow of rain fall – also true for the slope of the porch floor itself. The home’s second story windows were a starting point in the design process.  The only roofline that would work was a low pitch, shed style roof. 

Using the existing brick wall sides, as well as the centered brick wall support between the two garage bays, three columns provided the structural foundation strength needed for the porch construction. The larger columns sizes are 10-inches with two 6-inch posts balancing out the sectional design of the upper portion of the screen porch.

In this instance, due to the elevation being above the family’s two-car garage, there are no stairs to the outside rear yard from the new porch for safety reasons.

An Interior Porch View Outward As Lovely As The Gardens At Cheekwood

Once inside the screened porch, the views out onto the rear vista of the yard are as beautiful as one can possibly imagine. Layers of green foliage and pastures set the stage for a gentle skyscape outward.

Views upward toward the Heavens are achieved via the use of custom skylights emanating from the rear of the porch roof base. Between the oversize screened porch panels and the natural light pouring in from the skylights, the only need for artificial light is well after dusk, achieved from the black lantern lighting fixtures on the interior vertical columns and the brick foundation interior wall.

Modern, casual comfort seating for 6 centered in the new porch handily accommodates the inside/outside conversation for family and occasional guests.

Top And Bottom, Real Wood Sets The Stage For Aesthetic Beauty

The flooring is tongue and groove cypress, chosen for its inherent beauty and outdoor weather tolerance. Above it all, the beamed ceiling follows suit with the tongue and groove installed in the opposite direction of the floor accentuating the length of the roomy porch interior.

As for functional finishing touches, in addition to the decorative accents of the post lights, we also installed Solaira heaters on the ceiling beams on either side of the overhead fans.

Leaving no proverbial stone unturned, and in the spirit of meticulous detail, even the underside of the porch was painted because it was so very visible from the ground driveway level. Details and completeness all around. That’s standard operating procedure at The Porch Company.

Will Our Logo Grace The Exterior Walls Of Your Screened Porch?

Not necessary, but only time will tell. Instead of telling the family’s visitors who is responsible for this stunning screened porch, all they need to do is simply point to the framed branding statement on the brick wall.

If you’re ready to improve your perspective of functional and beautiful outdoor living rooms via a screened porch that will become the envy of your neighborhood, call us.

During business hours we can be reached at 615-662-2886, option #2. During the later hours feel free to connect with us via email at Hello@PorchCompany.com, or online. It would be our pleasure to meet with you at your convenience.

A Vintage Belle Meade Home Gets A New Lease On Its Leisure Life With This Stunning New Screened Porch

Using the existing stone fireplace and adjacent stone walls as our design inspiration, our Porch Company team created this gorgeous outdoor living room and 6-seater dining area to the delight of this Belle Meade family.

The interior features an exposed wrapped beam ceiling which is a little different than our typical norm of 2 feet on center, as these are 4 feet on center, yielding a more pronounced definition to the ceiling above.

From Top To Bottom, Rich, Wood Accents Bring A Pastoral Touch Of Elegance To This Backyard Oasis

From the overhead construction to the underfoot construction, you’ll notice the natural-looking continuity of wood tones with the Thermory Ash flooring, a favorite for many of our original custom interior porch designs.

As our clients specified their wish to have an open, airy feeling inside the porch, full screened panels naturally illuminate the space. Then, for a moment of interior solitude while enjoying alfresco dining, the dinner table was set up in a previously unused corner, at the left rear of the porch interior with seating, comfortably accommodating up to 6 people.

By Varying Interior Ceiling Heights, Country and Romanticism Mix In This Unique Porch Design

Continuing the aesthetic flow of the vaulted beamed rafter ceiling under the gable roof structure, we enhanced the new dining space with a gently sloped ceiling to create an intimate, enclave-like experience at mealtime.

 The difference in interior porch ceiling heights better delineates the feeling of individually functional areas of the porch.

For evening coziness when necessary, the oversized ceiling fan and suspended overhead heaters provide comfort, while the vertical post lights cast a warm glow, only to be matched by that coming from the screen porch living room fireplace.

Exceptional Design And Construction For Outdoor Living Porches In Nashville And Franklin, Tennessee

The Porch Company is a custom design and build construction company focusing on creating screen porches, open-air porches and outdoor structures that fit your lifestyle.

We invite you to visit our latest outdoor living creations in our portfolio and read about our start.

To easily connect with us, please call us at your convenience at 615-662-2882; or click here to contact us online for a complimentary design consultation.

Why Choosing a Porch Contractor Can Make All the Difference

When it comes to building a porch, you will need a licensed general contractor for the job. However, we recommend hiring a general contractor who specializes in porches, aka a porch contractor.  He/she has specialized knowledge and experience, which makes them better equipped to handle the unique challenges that come with building a porch. Specifically, a porch contractor understands the intricacies of porch design and construction, including the structural requirements, materials, and finishes that ensure that your porch is built to last. They have the expertise and experience needed to ensure your porch is built to the highest standards and with your unique needs in mind. 

Here are five reasons why hiring a porch contractor is a smart move: 

1.Porch contractors understand how to deal with water. Whereas a general contractor spends their time and energy making sure no water enters the structure they build, a porch contractor understands what to do with the water that will inevitably get into the structure. 

A general contractor typically works with specialty materials (such as Zip board, flashing tape around the windows, super-efficient caulks, etc.) to ensure the water cannot get in.  As a result, they do not worry about how the interior is going to handle getting wet. For a porch builder, however, understanding how the porch will interact with water is a primary concern.  Despite any design, water is going to get inside the porch with enough wind, so making sure that water does not cause long-term maintenance issues is critical.  Some of the ways in which porch contractors specifically will address this issue is by:

• Using hip rooflines with large overhangs.

• When using tongue & groove wood flooring, sloping the porch floor, and making sure the floorboards are running in the direction of the slope to allow the water to flow out of the porch.  

• Planning for a place for the water to escape.  By not blocking the flow of water, the wood can dry out, and rot will not set in. 

2. Porch contractors understand how to deal with prevailing winds. Whereas general contractors are focused on walls that insulate, porch builders are focused on walls that breathe so considering how the winds affect your experience is part of the job.

Most homeowners, and most contractors, don’t spend a lot of time worrying about which way the wind blows against your house. But everyone that has been downwind of grill smoke or blowing rain knows that the direction the wind is blowing affects your porch life experience. If you have a gable roof open to the prevailing wind you will certainly notice it, but these are things a porch designer will take into consideration when designing your porch!

3. Porch contractors understand how to deal with the sun. Whereas general contractors are focused on window placement, a porch contractor must consider many more factors.

Everyone loves the way the sun streams through our windows, adding light and warmth to our homes.  Adding a porch can potentially block existing views and light. However, considering the orientation of the porch or adding skylights or sun tunnels, you can bring a lot of that sun back!  When considering the sun, a porch contractor will: 

• Consider if you’re getting too much sun into west-facing windows (and can then position the porch to provide the shade you need).  

• Account for the angle of the sun when placing the TV.  

• Consult on whether you need shades, curtains or shutters for the later afternoon sun that hits straight at eye level. 

  A designer that is familiar with porches is trained to think of all these things where a general contractor might not be. A room with open walls interacts with the light much differently than a walled-in room.

4. Porch contractors understand the unique materials needed and what will work well under different conditions. Their experience and expertise can extend the life and quality of your construction considerably. 

Asking wood, especially wood laid flat as on a floor, to take the full brunt of the sun and the rain is asking too much of both the wood and of the homeowner that must maintain it! The solution is synthetic decking such as the ones by TimberTech/Azek.  They require minimal maintenance and look just as good 10, 20 years later!  Synthetic railings, such as the decorative cellular PVC railing provided by our sister company, The Porch Store, are also popular for their ability to withstand the elements. A wood floor is still a good (and much less expensive) alternative but only when covered by a roof.  If the wood floor is properly installed (as mentioned above: sloped with an escape route for water), it will last as long as the porch with minimal maintenance. 

5. Porch contractors stay on top of outdoor trends and innovations.

There was a time when a porch was not much more than a deck with a roof. Since then, porches have been integrated into the design of the house with more complimentary roof lines, materials more in keeping with the house, and even painting them to look like a worthy component of the home. In our many years in porch construction, we have seen major changes to porches, like: 

• Space for a game table or yoga mat

• Fireplaces and heaters that extend the days on the porch

• Built-in kitchens that get more sophisticated each year

• Shutters, blinds, and curtains that make them more comfortable 

• Cabinets that hide TVs and safely store it when not in use

• Swing beds that can convert between couch or daybed

• And so much more.

  
  In conclusion, if you're planning to build a porch, it's worth considering hiring a porch contractor rather than a general contractor. The specialized expertise, personalized attention, and passion that porch contractors offer can make all the difference in ensuring that your porch is built to your satisfaction for many years and memories to come. Are you ready to let The Porch Company design and build the perfect porch for you? Then look no further. You can give us a ring for a free consultation at 615-662-2886, option #2 or email us at hello@porchcompany.com or click this link .

With A Custom Outdoor Living Project This Wonderful, Is There Really Any Reason To Go Back Inside?

When this Green Hills, Tennessee, outdoor project was completed, our expert team of designers and construction folks looked at each other and actually asked that question.

The photos tell the whole story.

A Foundation For Success, A Low Maintenance Deck, And A Generously Sized One

Before we arrived, the only structure in this backyard was an open, uncovered deck – and a simple one at that. So, the first order of transformational design business for The Porch Company construction team was to replace the deck with a new one that flows seamlessly into the surroundings. The reason for this footprint was to accommodate this classic style screened porch featuring a dining area and a living room area, with all the comforts of home that you would typically find indoors here in the Nashville area.

To allow the family to enjoy their new outdoor living space without the upkeep and maintenance of a wood deck replacement, we used AZEK PVC composite decking that mimics the look, texture, feel, and color value of real wood. At a glance, no one would ever be the wiser.

Keeping What Works And Building Around It

The family already had in place a pre-existing storage building under the original deck which they wanted to keep, so we designed our new build around it.

Accessibility was a primary design feature throughout this outdoor living space. To descend to the ground level when exiting the home improvement addition, a tiered staircase with easy flow was constructed, with the left leading to the driveway and another leading directly into the backyard lawn area.

 The stair design leaves the backyard and shed in place, but creates a new route to the house, deck and screen porch. Almost as welcoming as one’s front door!

Beautiful Form And Function Topped With A Classic Hip Roof Design

To shelter and protect the generous screened porch, a hip roof worked best to complement the architecture of the home. The hip roof design is often a first choice for keeping the outdoor elements off the porch. Think blowing rain, snow or sleet.

For the architectural details, the homeowner agreed that our love of PorchCo Chippendale railings, with the fluid geometric patterns of cross-hatching, was their top pick too. For continuity, we also used a Chippendale rail insert accent in the Sapele painted door to welcome you into the space as you head into the porch from the outdoor kitchen.

Working with The Porch Store’s  Hermitage sleeves and post caps, the aesthetic look is complete with PorchCo. PVC panels surrounding the deck.

An Outdoor Kitchen So Well-Designed, Dinner Guests Just May Be Tempted To Join In The Meal Prep

“Oh, my word! This outdoor kitchen looks and works more beautifully than the one inside my home!” a neighbor recently said who was invited to a cookout.

The multi-functional L-shaped deck with an outdoor kitchen features The Porch Store’s own PVC cabinets, topped with granite countertops. And with many drawers and doors, finding a place for everything the family chef would ever need is a done deal.

This outdoor kitchen now includes a hotplate/burner, warming drawer, griddle and, of course, the family’s Big Green Egg ceramic smoker and grill.

Step Inside A New World Of Outdoor Living Comfort And Style - Green Hills Style

To help filter the surrounding sunlight around the screened porch panels, the family added sheer, lightly colored fabric curtains for privacy while still allowing natural light to fill the porch.

Other special touches that add sensory comfort while inside the space include a stacked stone gas ventless fireplace, place at an angle in the far corner. Above its mantel rests a large TV so the family can enjoy movie nights, surrounded by Nashville breezes.

Speaking of breezes, on those spring and fall nights when it gets a bit chilly outside, Solaira heaters and ceiling fans help circulate warm air to keep the family cozy.

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The Simple Pleasures of Life On The Porch

A guest post by J. Paul Moore.

My first memory of a porch is of my father’s parents, my grandparents, in rural Giles County where they maintained a modest farm. Their home, like their lifestyle, was simple. At the end of a long day, you would find them on their small front porch relaxing from the difficult work of farming with a cold glass of tea before repeating their task the next day.

The author, Paul Moore, with his mother and grandmother on their front porch.

This porch, with just enough room for a porch swing and a rocking chair, was the same one I had slowly backed off of and into a large shrub as I was trying to avoid the wrath of my mother after an episode of particularly bad behavior. I don’t recall if I ever got my spanking, but I sure remember that day and that porch.  

Moore family farmhouse + front porch.

Porches have come a long way since those days. In many cases, they have moved to the back of people’s homes where they have more privacy.  Porches in middle Tennessee and the Southeast now greatly benefit from being screened in to keep out no-see-ums and other pesky insects. No longer your grandparents’ porch, these modern versions can be anything you dream up. They can have tongue-and-groove flooring, skylights, wood-burning or gas fireplaces, bed swings, kitchens, and bars for your favorite beverages. They can range from small intimate spaces to multi-level designs, but despite all these changes and upgrades, one porch truth remains: they offer respite in this fast-paced world that we live in. 

A porch can be so many things - a place to rest, retreat and relax.

Porches are an accessible escape, a private sanctuary, where you can unwind and be restored. They are a place to bring in fresh air and tune in to the sounds around you whether it be birdsong or your favorite song. They are spaces for gathering, where without the distractions of all our electronics, stories and conversations are born and memories are made. You can read a book, or perhaps, finally get around to writing that book you have always wanted to write. You can meditate or do your exercise routine. It can be a space for creativity or for relaxation. Your porch can be so many different things, but whatever you decide for your dream porch, it’s best as a reflection of your unique personality and needs.  

As I reflect on my grandparents’ porch I am reminded of what simple pleasures we found there. On my current porch, my favorite activity is a good nap, preferably on a beautiful summer day, on a swing bed, lulled by the sounds of a nearby stream, wind rustling the trees, and birdsong gently ushering me to sleep–an uncomplicated, restorative pleasure I’m sure my grandparents would have appreciated.

The bed swing is ready for any and all nappers.

Written by J. Paul Moore

Are you ready to let The Porch Company design and build your perfect porch? Then look no further. You can give us a ring for a free consultation at 615-662-2886, email us at hello@porchcompany.com or click this link here.

About the Author: Paul Moore is a man driven by a curiosity about the natural world. As intrigued by the many varieties of moss as he is by the way light illuminates and animates the landscape, Paul is drawn towards both beauty and knowledge with a passion for sharing what he’s discovered through his photography, speaking, and consulting.

Today you will often find him speaking at conferences about moss or native plants, advocating for the Earth, leading hiking tours for local parks, maintaining his stock photography business, and hosting tours through his expansive home garden. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, Nancy Moore, and spends his free time exploring the mountains of East TN with their family. Learn more at jpaulmoorephoto.com.