Both porches and patios are common housing structures that serve similar purposes but differ in construction. Find out which outdoor space your home will work best in by learning the differences between them.
What Is a Porch?
There is something called a porch that is an outdoor structure built near an entrance way such as the front door or the back door of a house. Wood floors often complement interior design elements, such as home designs and architectural styles. There are no solid walls or roofs on porches, although there may be removable screens or windows that allow them to be used all year. Open-air living rooms are sometimes referred to as porches with large spaces that can accommodate outdoor furnishings and equipment, such as ceiling fans and outdoor kitchens.
Front porches enclose front doors, while back porches enclose back doors. Front porches attach to the front of a house, while back porches attach to the back of a house. Porches with different design elements include screened porches, which are covered outdoor living spaces with screen panels that let in fresh air while protecting them from the elements. These porches can be used throughout the year due to their design elements. Hawaii’s lanais are large covered porches that are open on one side but enclosed on all sides. A portico is a structure surrounding an entryway with a roof and columns supporting it.
What Is a Patio?
Typically, patios are paved surfaces composed of stones, like pea gravel, concrete pavers, or concrete slabs, that are located outside a house on the ground level. To protect outdoor furnishings, patios must be able to withstand various kinds of weather because they are located outdoors.
There is a similarity between patios and courtyards, which are open spaces adjacent to buildings. Patios usually lack coverings, whereas courtyards are usually enclosed by walls.
Porch vs. Patio: Differences Between the Spaces
There are a few distinguishing characteristics between a porch and a patio:
- Attachment: In landscape design, a patio is typically an attached element at ground level in the back of the house, whereas a porch is an uncovered component at ground level in front.
- Shared elements: Home designs and structures do not include patios. A house’s floors, paint color, and other interior elements do not need to match the porch.
- Covering: Patios are flat surfaces without coverings, whereas porches are attached to houses’ exterior walls and covered by roofs.
4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between a Porch and a Patio
To help you decide whether a patio or porch is right for you, here are some things to consider:
- Climate: Climate is an important factor to consider when deciding whether to build a porch or a patio. Winter is a time when patios aren’t used much because they are open outdoor areas. In addition to being open, porches can also be screened or have windows so they can be used throughout the year.
- Cost: When choosing between a porch or patio, budget is also an important factor. The cost of even a simple wooden porch is inflated by the labor and materials needed to install it, and special features such as wood flooring will add to the cost. Many homeowners install patios themselves as a DIY project since they are cheap and easy to install. You can also increase the value of your home by adding a patio or porch.
- Entertaining: Your choice of porch or patio may also depend on how you entertain guests. Open porches at the front of a house tend to be inaccessible due to their location and the lack of privacy they provide. Small social gatherings are more appropriate for porches than large parties in terms of functionality. The backyard of a house typically has a patio, which provides more privacy for large gatherings.
- Space: You need to consider how much space you have in your front or back yards when deciding whether to build a porch or patio. Patios in small backyards can interfere with other landscape design features and make homeowners feel cramped. Similar to a back porch in a small front yard, a porch in a small front yard can make you feel like your neighbors are watching you.
5 Types of Outdoor Living Spaces
It is not just porches or patios that are available for outdoor living. Here are some popular options:
- Covered patio: A covered patio provides shade or protection from the elements as an attached or free-standing structure. Patios with covered roofs can be classified as pergolas, arbors, and pavilions. An arbor is a covered vertical structure placed on walkways, paths, or entrances to enhance gardens as an accent, while a pergola is a freestanding structure with columns and lattice work. An outdoor pavilion is a column-supported patio that stands alone.
- Deck: Decks are wooden structures without a roof or other covering. Decks are easy to install and require little maintenance, unlike porches and patios. Decks built over two feet in height must have railings, according to many building codes.
- Gazebo: Gazebos are free-standing, open-sided outdoor structures, enclosed by screens, that have a roof. Typically, they are octagonal or oval in shape and sit on a concrete or wooden base. In the case of weddings and other special outdoor events, gazebos are very popular.
- Sunroom: Often enclosed with many windows, a sunroom provides greater access to the sun. In addition to being attached to the back of a house, sunrooms provide greater protection from the elements than a porch because they are completely enclosed.
- Verandah: Generally, a veranda is an open porch at ground level attached to a building and extending beyond it. Houses usually have verandahs on one side, with railings. Pergolas and verandas are sometimes referred to as the same thing.
How to Decorate Your Porch or Patio
Your porch or patio can be decorated in almost any way you like, which makes it a great place for entertaining. You can customize your space entirely to suit you by playing around with how you arrange it. In most front porches, rocking chairs are a traditional staple to relax in while sipping a drink. If you want to enjoy the scenery and time outdoors on your back patio, you must have a set of comfortable outdoor furniture.
Porches and patios should be decorated based on whether you’ll be hosting parties or relaxing. Entertainment should also be considered, in addition to string lights on the ceiling. The porch can be turned into a TV viewing area if it is attached to the house, so you should put some blocking in the wall while the porch is being built.”
How to Maintain Your Porch or Patio
In order to keep your porch or patio looking good, Smith recommends pressure washing it once or twice a year, just like you would pressure wash your house. In addition to removing caked-on dirt and grime, it also removes debris or storm debris that’s built up over the years.
During the Spring months, when pollen is at its peak, Smith offers expert advice for cleaning screened-in patios: wipe down furniture and screens with a rag and cleaner before pressure washing. Pollen will get on your patio furniture or deck no matter whether you have a screened-in porch, Smith says. “The problem with being covered is that rain does not wash off pollen, so you’ll have a buildup.”
