Why So Many Southern Homes Have Wrap-Around Porches

The opportunity to sip sweet tea while a cool breeze gently shifts the swing on your wrap-around porch is the stuff of homeownership fantasies. But an Instagram-worthy aesthetic isn't the sole reason why many homes in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and other states in the deep South come equipped with wrap-around porches. One North Carolina-based company, SDC House Plans, notes that it's seen increased interest in the feature, with more buyers gravitating toward designs that include this particular architectural detail. A part of that draw is the chance to enjoy some indoor-outdoor living. Stylish patio spaces are certainly still desirable, as are screened-in porches. But since a wrap-around porch quite literally wraps around the home, attaching to at least two sides of the house, it feels like a natural extension of the living room, kitchen, or other living spaces.

And, yes, the curb appeal a veranda offers is off the charts, but in the South, it's more than just a pretty feature. Because the roof of the porch extends several feet off the exterior of the home, it provides a climate-friendly outdoor space to enjoy and ensures that walls and windows aren't receiving direct sunlight. As it turns out, there is such a thing as too much natural light. It can make your space hotter — a real problem in Southern states that tend to have higher temps, longer summers, and more humid climates — and even cause damage to your furniture or fabrics. In addition to blocking out the sun's harshest rays, the overhang can also shield the exterior of a home from absorbing too much rain, which can seep underneath the siding, leading to mold and wood rot.

Before you consider living out your dreams from "The Notebook," make sure you can truly build a case for a wrap-around porch. Creating a space to take in sunrise views or enjoy a scenic nightcap can be quite the extensive commitment. The cost of building a wrap-around porch, for starters, can range anywhere from $4,000 all the way up to $60,000, depending on size, materials, and the complexities of the project. And while real estate experts agree that a porch can increase your home's value, whether or not you get a return on this particular investment is largely reliant on the real estate market in your area.

Before digging into the build, you'll also want to think about the shape of your home and if the porch would need to accommodate any uneven or jutting walls. You'll also want to consider if your lot has ample space for the added square footage and if there's any sloping terrain that might affect the design and construction. Finally, you'll want to look into the local code and apply for the appropriate permit from your building department.