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Entrances and porches are quite often the focus
of historic buildings, particularly on primary
elevations. Together with their functional and
decorative features such as doors, steps, balustrades,
pilasters, and entablatures, they can be extremely
important in defining the overall character of
a building. In many cases, porches were energy-saving
devices, shading southern and western elevations.
Usually entrances and porches were integral components
of a historic building's design; for example,
porches on Greek Revival houses, with Doric or
Ionic columns and pediments, echoed the architectural
elements and features of the larger building.
Central one-bay porches or arcaded porches are
evident in Italianate style buildings of the 1860s.
Doors of Renaissance Revival style buildings frequently
supported entablatures or pediments. Porches were
particularly prominent features of Eastlake and
Stick Style houses in which porch posts, railings,
and balusters were characterized by a massive
and robust quality, with members turned on a lathe.
Porches of bungalows of the early 20th century
were characterized by tapered porch posts, exposed
post and beams, and low pitched roofs with wide
overhangs. Art Deco commercial buildings were
entered through stylized glass and stainless steel
doors.
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