Whether you have a front, back or side porch, you are missing one of life's great little pleasures if you aren't spending time on it soaking up life.
A porch is an extension of your house, an outdoor room almost that has a life all its own.
Take care of it, decorate it, make it yours.
You should give your porch some tender loving care once in a while to make sure it lasts as long as the house does.
If the damage gets too bad you'll have to rip it off and make a new one.
That's definitely a large project.
1.
Look out for rot.
It will tend to attack the deck and posts first, usually due to poor ventilation and not getting enough sunlight.
2.
Check the roof for worn out shingles and poor water drainage.
Check the gutters for leaks, holes or clogs.
3.
Watch out for bugs that eat wood, such as termites and some beetles and ants.
Get an exterminator if you find evidence of this.
4.
Watch out for fungus called dry rot.
If you get this you'll probably have to replace the porch, at least the damaged areas.
5.
Add good sturdy furniture to your porch and a porch swing.
If swings aren't your thing you can also get a hanging chair or hammock.
6.
Be sure it has good lighting, but not too bright if you have neighbors.
You don't want your outdoor light to overwhelm their part of the world either.
I love my porch, we rebuilt it when we bought the house because it was rotten and falling apart.
You could tear it apart with your bare hands.
Now it's sturdy, comfortable and a peaceful way to spend the evening.