A porch is a simple, practical upgrade that can improve your entrance, add shelter, and create a more secure, welcoming front door area. Built like a small extension, porches typically combine solid walls with glazed sections, plus a roof finish that suits your home.
A practical entrance upgrade
Porches are ideal if you want to reduce draughts, create a buffer space, and improve kerb appeal. They can also provide a more comfortable entrance area for shoes, coats and day-to-day use.
Key benefits
Added shelter from wind and rain
A more secure and welcoming entrance
Potential reduction in draughts at the front door
A simple way to refresh kerb appeal
Click to enlarge images
Porch styles and options
Most porches are small by design – the goal is a neat, practical entrance that suits the property.
Glazing, privacy and finishing touches
From obscured glass to decorative glazing, we can help you choose the right level of privacy — plus finishes that match your existing windows and doors.
Common choices include:
Obscure/privacy glass options
Decorative glazing where appropriate
Hardware and finishing details to suit the property
Doors for porches
Your porch door choice affects security, style and everyday practicality.
We’ll help you choose a door style that suits your home and gives you the right balance of privacy and light.
Brochures & Resources
Helpful resources
Welsh Government – Planning permission: permitted development rights for householders
Welsh Government – Householder permitted development technical guide (PDF)
Planning Portal – Interactive House
Please note this informative but is aimed at homes in England.
Building Regulations (Building Control)
Most home improvement work has Building Regulations considerations, but what’s required depends on the scope of work.
Replacement windows and external doors are “controlled fittings” and must meet Building Regulations (for example energy efficiency, safety glazing, ventilation and means of escape where relevant).
Distinction Windows is FENSA registered, which means we can self-certify qualifying replacement window and door installations and provide certification as proof of compliance.
Conservatories in Wales are normally exempt from Building Regulations approval when they meet certain conditions (for example: ground level, under 30m², thermally separated from the house by external-quality doors/walls/windows, no fixed heating or heating system extended into the conservatory, and glazing/electrics comply). Exemptions aren’t automatic — it depends on the design and specification.
Important: even where the conservatory is exempt, a new structural opening between the conservatory and the house will require Building Regulations approval.
Porches can also be exempt in Wales in many cases, but (among other factors) the existing front entrance door must remain in place, and the porch must not adversely affect level/ramped disabled access where this applies.
Orangeries and other extension-style glazed spaces, especially those with more solid roofs/walls, may require Building Regulations approval depending on the scope of works.
We’ll flag anything likely to need Building Control approval during survey. If there’s any doubt, we recommend confirming with your local authority Building Control for peace of mind.
Planning Permission
Planning rules vary depending on the size and position of what you’re building. Many domestic projects can fall under permitted development, but this depends on limits/conditions and whether your property still has permitted development rights.
In Wales, conservatories are treated the same as single-storey extensions for planning purposes, and permitted development is subject to specific limits and conditions (including restrictions around principal elevations, boundaries, designated land and listed buildings).
Porches in Wales are typically permitted development provided:
external ground area is no more than 3m²
height is no more than 3m
no part is within 2m of a boundary and the highway
(And these allowances apply to houses, not flats/maisonettes, and may be removed by the local authority.)
Considering a porch upgrade?
Get a free, no-obligation quote and we’ll advise on a porch that suits your entrance and budget.