The first two houses I owned didn’t have porches. They were Victorian red-brick terraced houses with small front gardens and the absence of a porch meant that occasionally, we had to stand in the pouring rain while struggling with a key and shopping as we tried to open the front door as quickly as possible. That was the main disadvantage of not having a porch – there being no shelter from the elements when the weather is horrible.
Porches have many more advantages of course, depending on their size and shape. They offer more storage, a place to put those items frequently required for outdoor use such as boots and coats, they protect the front hall from harsh weather and prevent draughts, and they can make the front of your home look more attractive.
