Bill Wade, Post-Gazette The decorative arches make for a cozy porch at 1401 Grandin Ave. in Dormont, where two giant pines and other greenery provide privacy.

By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dormont, a close-in South Hills suburb that boomed in the first quarter of the 20th century, is known for housing stock that has many of the same architectural niceties -- fireplaces, hardwood floors and stained-glass windows -- as neighboring Mt. Lebanon.

	Bill Wade, Post-Gazette The living room at 1401 Grandin Ave. in Dormont. Click photo for larger image. Open house An open house will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. today at 1401 Grandin Ave. For more information, contact Bill Smith of Coldwell Banker at 412-344-0500, ext. 211 or visit www.pittsburghmoves.com, MLS No. 624797.

But the prices are generally much lower and the residents less inclined to close in those front and side porches that were once so popular.

Porches, a quintessential element of summer and two centuries of American architecture, is what unites three properties currently for sale. All were built in the 1920s or early '30s, a boom time for the borough after the opening of the Liberty Tunnels in 1923.

The most expensive, a five-bedroom Colonial with four decorative fireplaces on Greenmount Avenue, is on the market for $167,000 through Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. The second, a four-bedroom Tudor on Grandin Avenue, is being offered by Coldwell Banker Real Estate for $154,900. The third is a three-bedroom Victorian with a partly finished basement and detached garage. Price: $127,000.

One of the best features of the white-brick home on Greenmount is its elaborate entry. The leaded-glass front door is framed by leaded sidelights and crowned with a matching transom. Three large windows in the living room overlook the covered porch, which has curved white banisters that contrast with the green floor and steps.

More than 20 feet long, the space's roof and black awning give it added privacy. You could sit on the swing and be almost invisible on this old-fashioned porch, like one your grandmother might have had.

The house has original hardwood floors with elaborate inlays around the borders, and a paneled staircase with a stained-glass window depicting a pastoral landscape on the landing.

The foyer has a working gas fireplace with a wood mantel and built-in bookcases. It leads to the dining room, which has a decorative fireplace with black-and-white ceramic tiles and a bay window that offers a view of the level back yard.

The older kitchen has a new ceramic tile floor and painted white cabinets, and opens onto a small back porch. The hall holds a full bath with a shower.

There are four bedrooms on the carpeted second floor, all with transoms above the doors and large closets. Two bedrooms have decorative fireplaces and the main bath has its original clawfoot tub and mirrored medicine cabinet. The attic offers two more rooms with angled ceilings. Other features include a new furnace and a two-car detached garage, something of a rarity in densely packed Dormont.

	Bill Wade, Post-Gazette Curved white banisters contrast with the green floor on this old-fashioned porch at 1519 Greenmount Ave., Dormont. Click photo for larger image. Open house An open house will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. today at 1519 Greenmount Ave., Dormont. For more information, call Arlene Steiner of Howard Hanna, 412-561-7400, ext. 259 or www.howardhanna.com, MLS No. 630283.

At $167,000, the house is toward the higher end for the neighborhood, where the median house price is $94,000 but the maximum was $183,500, according to RealSTATs. But you're getting a lot of house for the money, maintains Realtor Arlene Steiner, especially when you consider how close it is to Downtown Pittsburgh.

The houses are more generously spaced two streets over on Grandin, where the 2 1/2-story brick Tudor sits on a corner lot. Recently updated, with new ceramic tile in both baths and higher-end cabinets and appliances in the kitchen, the house is well equipped for modern living but still retains all the charm and character associated with older homes.

The large gas fireplace in the living room still has its original tile surround and wood mantel to go with original built-in bookcases and oak floors. Faux-finished woodwork on the first and second floors adds more visual interest, along with the arches between many of the rooms.

The colorful kitchen has mauve walls and light turquoise laminate counter tops. A breakfast nook off the back door offers seating for two and a view of the side yard. The formal dining room has the same lustrous oak floors as the living room and is brightened by three windows.

The dining room leads to the 19- by 10-foot side porch, which is distinguished by four decorative arches and kept hidden from the street by two giant pines and other greenery. Metal railings, a lighted ceiling fan and a rug make it cozy and gamboo shades allow even more privacy.

The second floor has three bedrooms, one of which features a separate dressing area. The master bedroom is located under the eaves on the third floor and includes its own bath with an original soaking tub, along with a separate seating area near the staircase. The main bath has vivid, merlot-colored tile floors and turquoise walls that pick up the colors of a large stained-glass window.

There is no garage but there is a concrete parking pad with room for three cars just beyond the rear courtyard. If you'd rather not drive, the house is located just across the street from Dormont's light-rail station.

"All you have to do it roll out of bed," says listing agent Bill Smith of Coldwell Banker.

	Bill Wade, Post-Gazette The front porch at 2714 Miles Ave. is large enough for several rockers, a glider and a swing. Click photo for larger image. More information For more information on 2714 Miles Ave., call Rachel Kopper of Howard Hanna at 412-561-7400, ext. 281 or www.howardhanna.com, MLS No. 626052.

The 2 1/2-story home on Miles Avenue has also retained much of its original flavor. Perched on a steep hill, the more than 80-year-old house boasts several stained-glass windows, hardwood floors, high baseboards and three built-in glass-front china closets in the dining room. A window seat offers a view of the fenced-in back yard and in the living room, a large stone fireplace runs all the way to the ceiling.

A small foyer includes a built-in bench beneath the staircase and is brightened by a rectangular stained-glass window. The large kitchen has cream-colored beadboard cabinets and new ceramic floors. The basement has a finished game room with a wall of built-ins and a full bath.

There are three bedrooms on the second floor and a large main bath with white subway tile walls and an original soaking tub. There's an additional room with slanted ceilings under the eaves that would make a great playroom or, if you're looking for a little privacy and don't mind the stairs, a master suite.

And when you're feeling a little more sociable? There's that wonderful front porch, which is about 25 feet long, large enough for a glider, some rockers and at the far end, a swing. Wide open and painted the same bright red as the trim, it has a traditional spindled rail and three brick pillars. Passers-by can't miss you on this porch.