Verandas and porches

Bungalows typically had one or more porches, including a deep front porch.

Bungalow porches were usually deeper than the verandas on villas, and were more like an outside room.

Porches were often centrally located at the front of the house, but when the house had an asymmetrical layout a porch may be located at the side. 

Bungalows with entrances at the side often had an entry porch, and many had back porches that the laundry and toilet opened off.

Porch roofs were incorporated under the house’s main roof. 

Some porches were completely enclosed with no access to the garden. An enclosed porch or loggia was generally used as a sun porch or sometimes as a sleeping porch.

Balustrades

Early bungalow porches generally had square-section timber balustrades (a move away from the turned villa-style balustrades). But, over time, the balustrades on bungalow porches became solid and enclosed – more like low, parapet-like walls.

Cladding

Bell-cast cladding was typical on the exterior face of these enclosed balustrades. The cladding generally differed from the rest of the house. Shingles were often used, as were bevel-back weatherboards. Other common cladding included roughcast or brick.

Inside the porch, the enclosed balustrade was typically clad in TG&V boarding. The porch flooring was also typically TG&V.

Piers/posts

A typical detail of the bungalow porch was large, half-height masonry or concrete piers that stood at the ends of the balustrade wall. Sometimes these had a brick or roughcast finish, which added to the heavy-weight appearance and contrasted with the both the house and the balustrade claddings (Figure 2). 

On top of the piers, there were squat square or round posts which supported the porch roof. The posts were frequently arranged in pairs or groups of four. These might in turn support roof beams that cantilevered well beyond the posts (Figures 3-6).

Not all bungalows featured the heavy pillars. Instead, some had a lightweight porch structure with 4” (100 mm) square timber posts and weatherboard cladding that was mitred at the corners to create a continuous effect. Gaps and irregularities in the mitred joint were filled with putty before being painted. 

Sills

Enclosed balustrade walls were generally topped by substantial sill cappings to match the weight of the wall. Where heavy piers were used, the sill – made of timber or concrete – could be up to 1’ (300 mm) wide.

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Common modifications

Though bungalow facades have generally altered very little over the years, one common alteration has been to close in the porch to create an additional living space. 

This has generally only required the installation of glazing and frames. It is not unusual to find enclosed porches with the exterior weatherboards and the original floor still in evidence.