Porch Longevity: When Should You Consider Renovation? How Long Does a Porch Last?
Your Porch Won’t Last Forever. Learn When It’s Time to Consider a Renovation
Even the most well-constructed porch likely won’t last forever, especially without any renovation. Like the rest of your house, if you want your porch to stay beautiful and healthy, you’ll need to make updates. But timing is everything. How long is your porch designed to last? And what can signal a need for renovation? In today’s blog, we’ll break down all you need to know about when to renovate your porch.
How Long Do Porches Last?
The lifespan of your porch depends on the material that makes up the porch, as well as the climate. Porches are essentially decks for the front of your home, so if you want to find the lifespan of your porch, consider the lifespan of decks. A wood deck in a humid climate is not likely to last as long as a composite deck. Some homes have cement porches, which will likely last longer, though not without cracking and a bit of crumbling.
Memphis is known to have hot and humid summers, as well as wet winters. In Memphis, you can expect an untreated wood porch to last anywhere between 10 and 20 years and a treated or composite porch to last about 35 years. A concrete porch can last more than 25 years.
The quality of the porch’s construction is also important to the lifespan of the porch. A quality porch installed with care will last longer than a cheap porch. But as you can see, even well-made porches will need to be updated eventually. So how can you know when your porch needs renovation?
3 Signs It’s Time to Renovate Your Porch
Failing to notice that your porch needs to be replaced can cause your home value to drop and may even lead to injuries if the porch material begins to become worn down and unsteady. It’s good to see the signs that your porch needs renovation early, before your worn-down porch causes any damage to you or your home. Again, think about the signs that decks need to be replaced. Here are a few things you can look out for:
- Significant damage to the porch decking. If your porch decking has sustained significant damage, like rot or several cracking, splintering boards, it’s likely time for a new porch. A few missing boards could be fixed with a porch repair, but anything more significant than that will require renovation. Missing screws could also be a major problem.
- Bowing or discolored boards. You can sometimes spot rot in your porch by seeing discolored, soft spots on your porch decking. In some cases of worn-down porches, the decking will begin to bow inward. If it feels unstable to step on this decking, that’s because it is, and renovating your porch may be a matter of urgency.
- Loose or falling railings. Sometimes railings become loose due to damage from a storm and can be repaired. In other cases, a loose railing can be a result of a porch that’s become too run down. Either way, loose railings are an issue that should be fixed as soon as possible. If neglected, loose railings can be a safety hazard.
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