If you were abandoning that good idea of adding a porch to your home due to the cost, wait up. Many patios can be used for a front porch or a back porch, partly because they are much more affordable than having one made from brick or timber, which is more like an extension to the home with a similar price tag.
Using a pergola as a porch is a great idea that can really change the look and feel of the home. It can give you a sheltered place to relax and even make the house cooler, especially if you add shade cloth or shade blades, which can be opened or shut according to the weather. Shade blades can be added to the walls as well as the ceiling for the ultimate in pergola convenience.