Porches of Pity: Enclosed Porches on Old Homes

While working today I stumbled upon this scene on Orchard Ave. in Ogden.

Something doesn't look right about this home.  What could it be?  Well for starters this is a potentially cute side-by-side victorian era duplex.  However, in order to gain a paltry 40 SQFT in finished floor space, the front porches were enclosed (notice the bright white vinyl compared to the grey original cedar dutch lapboard siding).  What benefit there is to enclosing such a small space? I have no idea. 

It also should be noted that open porches were considered an additional living space in older homes.  Due to the lack of air conditioning up until the 1940's, porches were heavily used by their owners as a place to escape the summer heat trapped in their houses.  

This reminded me of another home with an egregious front porch set up in town:

This particular home had a grand front porch that was large in scale.  The home was probably built around 1900.  Well, sometime in the 1920's they bricked in the porch and added windows.  Then later they added a lean-to front porch on to that.  Now it looks like a bunker with a patio. Sigh...

What needs to happen in order to maintain architectural sanity, is for these front porches to be restored back to there open and breezy beginnings.  They were designed to work in harmony with the seasons; and, when they are used for that purpose, they can be a great asset to the home and homeowner.  Ours treats us very well.  

So, if you have an enclosed front porch on your home and are wondering how to bring it back to its original grandeur, CONTACT ME, and I will show you what to do.