An Edwardian family home in Haywards Heath, fitted with a new aluminium porch using the Alitherm 400 window and door system by Smart Systems. The existing porch structure was retained, with the old glazing stripped out and replaced with new aluminium windows and a door throughout, all powder coated in a classic white finish to match the timber windows on the main house.
This is a good example of how aluminium can sit comfortably alongside existing timber glazing on a period property. The flat casement profile of the Alitherm 400 was chosen deliberately here. Flush casement aluminium windows are available, but the flat casement design keeps the frame proportions and sightlines closer to the original timber windows on the rest of the house, giving a more consistent appearance across the front elevation.
Porch Design and Layout
The aluminium porch is a three-sided design with windows on two elevations and windows with a centrally located entrance door on the left hand elevation when viewed from outside. Smaller fanlights above large fixed panes form the main glazing below, letting plenty of light into the porch and giving a clear view of the front garden and driveway.
All the toplights have decorative Georgian style bars that add character and tie in with the period detailing on the rest of the house. These smaller panes break up the glazing and give the porch a traditional feel without looking heavy or over-detailed.
The Benefits of a Porch
A porch does more for a home than most people expect. For this property in Haywards Heath, the main benefits are practical ones that make a difference every day.
The porch creates an extra barrier between the outside and the hallway. Cold air, wind and rain hit the porch first, not the front door. This keeps the hallway noticeably warmer, especially during the colder months, and can reduce heating costs by stopping draughts from reaching the main living areas.
There is also the added benefit of security. With a lockable porch door between the street and the front door, the home has two points of entry rather than one. Parcels can be left inside the porch rather than on the doorstep. Coats, shoes, umbrellas and bags have a natural place to sit without cluttering the hallway.
From the street, a well-designed porch improves the look of the front of the house. It creates a focal point at the entrance and adds visual weight to the elevation, giving the property more presence and better kerb appeal.
Aluminium and Timber Working Together
One of the details worth noting on this project is how the new aluminium porch glazing works alongside the existing timber windows on the main house. The property has traditional timber casement windows with Georgian bars, and the new aluminium porch was designed to complement these rather than contrast with them.
The flat casement profile of the Alitherm 400 has similar proportions to the timber frames, and the white powder coated finish matches the painted timber. The Georgian bar toplights on the porch echo the glazing bar pattern on the house windows. Viewed from the street, the porch looks like it belongs to the property rather than something that has been added as an afterthought.
Quality wood and powder coated aluminium don’t require regular maintenance, thanks to technology and quality used on the paints of both materials. And both materials are highly resistant to weathering, making them a practical long term solution for exposed front elevations
This is something we consider on every porch project. The glazing system, frame style, colour and bar layout all need to work with what is already there. Getting this right makes the difference between a porch that lifts the front of the house and one that looks out of place.
Aluminium Porches by Newlite
We design and fit aluminium porches across Sussex, Kent and Surrey, using products from the UK’s leading aluminium manufacturers. Every porch is different and we cater to all designs, in aluminium, uPVC or timber.
Some homeowners want a contemporary look with minimal framing, while others need a design that blends with a period property like this one in Haywards Heath. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we look forward to helping you transform and improve your home.
