Portico

A portico is a covered entrance to a building consisting of a roof supported by columns, creating a sheltered transitional space at the main entry. The form originated in ancient Greek temple architecture, where rows of columns supported a triangular pediment to create a grand entrance facade. Roman architecture adopted and expanded the portico concept, and it has remained a fundamental element of Western classical architecture ever since. Famous examples include the Pantheon in Rome, the White House, and countless courthouses, libraries, and government buildings worldwide. In residential architecture, a portico serves both practical and aesthetic functions. Practically, it shelters the front door from rain and sun, providing a dry and shaded area for visitors to wait and for homeowners to fumble with keys. Aesthetically, a portico adds stature, formality, and curb appeal to a home's facade, creating a sense of arrival and importance. Residential porticos range from modest two-column designs with a simple gable roof to elaborate multi-column structures with full entablatures and decorative pediments. Adding a portico to a home without one is one of the most impactful exterior upgrades for improving architectural character and property value.