Metal porch: advantages and disadvantages, construction technology, methods of protection

Purpose and advantages of a metal porch

The main purpose of the porch is to organize a platform in front of the front door to the house. It is the porch that creates convenient conditions for entering the interior. Namely, it protects the entrance from precipitation and sunlight. If the front door is located at a certain height above the ground, then you cannot do without a porch with a staircase.

Now about the advantages of a metal porch:

High structural strength. Such a structure will last for decades if it is properly and promptly cared for. It will not be corroded by insects, the structure will not burn or collapse on its own.
It is located in the golden mean in terms of cost between wood and concrete. That is, more expensive than a wooden product, but cheaper than a concrete one.
High aesthetic qualities. Of course, a simple design cannot be called a masterpiece. But if you turn to specialists, you can actually get a wonderful structure that uses forged elements.
This is a universal design. That is, iron will look great in a wooden, concrete, or brick house.
Metal can also be combined with other materials. For example, install wooden railings for the porch. You can use plastic, glass and other materials. Metal has a “trusting relationship” with everyone.

Combination of metal porch and concrete Source sadovnik33.ru

Cold and artistic forging

There are two main forging technologies: hot and cold.

Technology and rules for making a metal porch

You need to start by determining the shape and size. The first is determined by the taste preferences of the owner of the house. When it comes to dimensions, there are certain standards that must be taken into account during the design process. This mainly concerns the stairs. But there are also dimensional standards for the area in front of the door.

The thing is that, according to fire regulations, the front door must open to the street. That is, during the evacuation of people. Therefore, when opening the door, there should be enough space so that a person can freely remain on the platform without retreating back. This means that the size of the area will depend on the size of the door leaf. There are minimum recommended dimensions for the platform: length 2 m, width 1.5 m. But to be more precise, it is better to use this ratio - the width of the door leaf multiplied by 1.5.

Sketch of a porch with exact dimensions Source jimcdn.com

Now the dimensions of the stairs to the metal porch.

The angle of inclination relative to the ground is 23-45 degrees. No one forbids making it steeper, but in this case the safety of moving along it decreases. Especially in the winter season, when the structure is covered with ice and snow.
Step sizes: length – 30-36 cm; height – 12-18 cm. Experts believe that for the most ergonomic staircase, the sum of the two parameters should be equal to 45 cm.
Width of the flight of stairs: 80-110 cm. But for the porch this is just the minimum size.
Metal staircase structures almost always have railings. So their height should vary in the range of 90-100 cm. The distance between them: 10-15 cm.
There is one more size that must be taken into account. This is the distance from the porch area to the bottom end of the front door. The platform should be located 2-3 cm lower.

A porch for a private house made of metal can be assembled from different metal profiles. Today, profile pipes 40x60 or 60x60 mm are increasingly used. To make steps, you will need a 25 or 30 mm corner, as well as sheet iron, if we are talking about a purely metal structure. The sheet will cover the landings of the steps, as well as the area in front of the front door.

Porch made of profile pipe Source tildacdn.com

As mentioned above, a metal porch is a universal structure, so steel sheets can be replaced with boards or concrete.

Making stairs

Stringers and bowstrings are made for wooden stairs.
The strings are fastened together with transverse beams, to which stringers (internal load-bearing beams) are also attached.
Then the ribs for the steps are cut out and the steps themselves are attached.

If the number of steps exceeds three, then additionally install railings for safety. The finished staircase is installed on the foundation.

To make a metal staircase, the simplest option would be to assemble it from channels and corners, followed by filling it with wood or covering it with porcelain stoneware.

Usually they make a concrete base and lay brick on top of it, which allows, if an uneven area is discovered, to dismantle it without harm to everything else.

Brief step-by-step instructions for making a metal porch

First of all, you need to make a sketch indicating the exact dimensions. Taking them into account, the elements are cut using a grinder.

Depending on the size of the porch, its design may include four support posts. Wells are dug under them, where crushed stone is poured into the bottom. Each rack is installed and concreted. As soon as the concrete solution has dried, they proceed to tying the posts and forming the porch area. Here it is important to connect all the supports together so that the stability of the structure is high.

Concrete porch posts Source yandex.net

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the installation of metal structures of any complexity.

Now the stairs. It can be assembled separately from the platform and then welded to it. Assembly can be carried out directly on site. For example, the second option.

We determined the installation location.
Knowing the width of the march, install two stringers. These are inclined supporting elements on which the steps will be laid. It is at this stage that the angle of inclination of the flight of stairs is set.
Important point. The lower edges of the stringers must be secured. The easiest way is to drive two pins into the ground for each stringer. Then weld them to each other. There are other more complex methods.
Now the steps are formed. There are a huge number of options here. Let's look at the simplest one.

To do this you will need a 25 or 30 mm corner. A rectangle is made from it according to the size of the steps. This product is welded on one side to the stringers. And under the other, racks are installed either from the same corner, or from reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 mm, or from a pipe with a diameter of 15-20 mm. The racks are attached by electric welding to the stringers. The photo below clearly shows how the steps are installed.

Steps on a metal staircase Source svarka-sibir.ru

The next operation is the installation and fastening of the platforms. It all depends on the chosen material. Metal products are fastened with electric welding, wooden ones with self-tapping screws, concrete is simply poured, installing a sheet of iron under the platform.

And the last thing is the installation of railings. We need to talk about the porch railings separately, because this element creates the design of the entire structure.

Material selection

Depending on the possibilities, not only ferrous but also non-ferrous metal is used to make the porch. To install the frame use:

steel pipes and angles;
copper is expensive, but retains its presentable appearance throughout the entire period of operation;
aluminum pipes do not require additional processing;
durable structures are obtained from profile pipes;
stainless steel pipes do not require painting;
wrought iron.

Round or rectangular pipes are usually used to make the frame. The canopy is made flat, sloping or in the form of a hemisphere. The roof is covered with metal or polycarbonate sheets.

Railings for a metal porch

First of all, you need to choose the material. Usually it is either metal or wood. Stone or concrete products are rarely used. Therefore, we will talk about porch railings made of metal and wood.

Metal railings

As for the material, there are several of them:

Aluminum. This type of railing is distinguished by its attractive appearance. The metal does not corrode. It is flexible, which makes it possible to bend it into any shape. But this is also a drawback - aluminum railings cannot withstand heavy loads.
Steel. The most popular metal for making railings, especially for porches. Durable, withstands atmospheric loads well, does not require special care. There are a large number of technologies with which you can create beautiful products from steel profiles. This group also includes stainless steel railings. An expensive option, but with an unlimited service life. There is no need to paint such railings. Their appearance creates the design itself.
Cast iron. It is used in casting, hence the huge range. You can come up with any shapes, patterns and sizes, make castings, modify them and get magnificent products.

Aluminum railings for a metal porch Source remontnik.ru

Porch components

Although under the word “porch” we often imagine only one element, in real life a set of components is sold and installed at once:

The staircase is the central link of the porch. All other elements play out around it. Simple, comfortable or textured, with carved details, the staircase is the indispensable queen of the exterior composition.
Railing . Along with the forged porch, railings are forged to match the style. These can be simple rectangular railings, openwork with a wooden handrail, or an original pattern. Railings usually include not only handrails, but also a beautiful metal sheet that protects children from falling.

Fencing . In addition to the porch, you can make fences. When railings and fences are made with the same stylistic elements of forging, it will add a special charm to the facade of the house.
Canopy. The porch can be equipped with a special canopy. This luxurious exterior detail visually makes the house richer, creates status for its residents and performs purely technical functions. Under a large canopy you can calmly wait out the rain and have time to get an umbrella when leaving. It protects the safety of the porch itself, covers it from rain and snow, increasing its service life.
Visor. If you can’t afford to install a canopy, but want to make a shelter, there is a simpler and more budget-friendly option - a canopy. This element is a simpler analogue of a canopy, however, with the right approach, it will look just as great and perform its protective functions.

Important. Be sure to equip your porch with special anti-slip strips for the cold season.

If you order a porch, you can usually choose whether you need a few of the items listed or a complete set. Usually the minimum set consists of stairs and railings. If desired, you can add other elements to it, provide them with a more complex visual structure, enhancing the composition.

Canopy and canopy

Shelter from rain and snow creates a special comfort for the facade of the house . Such a house seems more reliable and protected, which not only pleases functionally, but also gives the building a higher status.

There are two ways to cover the entrance: organize a canopy or canopy over the porch. These two elements perform the same tasks , but look slightly different. The canopy is more compact and straight, while the canopy is usually made in a wide semicircle and it effectively covers the porch on all sides and stands on poles.

Stairs, pillars

Complete with openwork forged stairs, pillars and railings are made of metal. Full-fledged metal sets look strong and reliable , they create a special ambience for the facade of the house and add weight to it.

Wrought iron porch. Author Yuri Kondrashov

Railings and fences

The metal ensemble can be equipped with parts from other materials . For example, it is important to make wide stone stairs complete with metal fences and railings . A metal set with shiny wooden handrails also looks good. There can be many combination options.

Wrought iron porch: canopy, stair railings and fences. Photo by MetalExpert

Stair steps can be created from materials such as stone, concrete, wood. Sometimes wooden pillars are made for wooden stairs. In such cases, the porches are reinforced with metal railings and, sometimes, fences. Stone stairs can also be equipped with stone railings and pillars, but nowadays metal handrails are more often made, as it is easier, faster and cheaper.

Reference. Photos of wrought-iron porches (here it is described how to send a photo) allow you to get acquainted with an even wider range of solutions for exterior design.

Metal porch design

Anyone who has chosen a porch for a house made of metal should understand that the variety of this design is so huge that you will have to sweat to choose something unusual. We need to start with functionality. That is, it could be a small spot in front of the front door. This can be a serious, large structure where you can organize a recreation area.

In shape it can be a rectangle, a semicircle, or a multifaceted design. In this regard, there are practically no restrictions. Today, more and more often, owners of private houses use closed structures using glass. That is, a terrace or veranda is made from the porch. You can also create a patio by installing a canopy or a whole roof.

Making a porch-terrace from metal and wood Source amarant.ru

For a small house, a small porch in the form of a platform is suitable. Essentially, this is a metal structure attached to the front door. The photo below shows one of the options.

Small metal porch Source yandex.net

Lucky are those who own a big house. This is where your imagination can run wild, since there are many offers on the market.

Materials used and their features

Porch steps are made from the following materials:

wood;
brick;
concrete;
metal.

The choice of material largely depends on the architectural design of the building. For a wooden house, a porch and steps made of wood are most suitable, and for a stone or brick structure, concrete and brick are suitable.

If wood is chosen as the material, it is worth considering that it is short-lived. Due to continuous contact with the ground, the tree begins to rot. To slow down this process as much as possible, you can install a wooden structure on concrete pads. A couple of layers of roofing material are laid between concrete and wood. The type of wood also deserves attention.

Advice:

The material can also be treated with an antiseptic or burned.

Metal protection

For metal to last a long time, it must be protected, mainly from moisture. The market today offers a large number of different paint and varnish products, but I would like to mention anti-corrosion paint. And although all types of paint cope with their duties, anti-corrosion paint surpassed all in terms of service life.

Firstly, this type of paint contains special additives and resins. Secondly, the technology of its application is no different from conventional ones. That is, they use spray guns, brushes and rollers. Before application, metal surfaces are cleaned of dirt, rust and other materials.

Note that manufacturers offer another variety - anti-rust paint. This is a unique material. Before applying it, it is not necessary to clean metal structures and products from corrosive areas. You only need to remove dirt and dust. The paint adheres well, covering the rust and preventing it from spreading further.

Anti-corrosion paint for rust Source gidpokraske.ru

General rules and installation tips

General diagram of stair railings

When making and installing porch railings yourself, you should consider the following general points:

The stair railing is directly aimed at ensuring the safety of descending or ascending steps. Therefore, when going down the steps, a person must lean confidently and hold on to the handrail with his hand. That is, the height of the railings must be selected to match the height of the people living in the building;
The most optimal railing height for an adult is 90 – 110 cm. For children and teenagers – 40 – 70 cm;
The distance between adjacent internal posts and balusters must be at least 60 cm;
Between the posts and balusters it is planned to install additional elements in the horizontal and vertical directions, every 10 - 15 cm. The absence of these posts, especially for steps located at a steep angle, can lead to injuries.

Briefly about the main thing

A metal porch is a design for easy entry into the house. It has high strength and long-term operation.

You can combine metal with other materials: wood, concrete, glass and plastic.

Today, more and more often, private developers are installing a porch made from a profile pipe, decorated with designer inserts in the form of railings and balusters. This metal profile is easy to manufacture, which reduces the cost of the structure.

To increase service life and give the porch a designer look, the metal elements are painted.

For railings, you can use forged products, welded, prefabricated or cast.

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How to do it yourself: sketch, manufacturing, painting, installation

The process of creating products is very difficult. First you need to think about how the porch should look and draw sketches with exact dimensions.

Wrought iron porch. Photo Makarovskaya forge

After this, using a set of forging equipment and blacksmith tools, various elements are made, which are subsequently assembled into one complete product. Trading and manufacturing companies are engaged in the production and sale of forged elements. Therefore, the contractor has the opportunity to purchase ready-made parts. The resulting porch can be painted in a suitable color and only after that should you proceed to installation.

We recommend visiting our section about making forged products with your own hands; there is a section about railings, stairs and canopies.

Only a professional or a person who has experience in this field or special education received in blacksmith training institutions can cope with such a task. It is also possible to obtain relevant knowledge on your own through forging master classes. Everyone else needs to either spend a long time understanding the details of production, or contact the specialists directly.