What’s the difference between Patio, Porch and Deck?

We may have seen the sunset from this part of the house or may have held a party for your 10 year old, but still you are confuse if it is a patio, porch or deck. Or maybe you are dreaming of building a outdoor zen for your family and friends and is still confuse which is which and which would suit you. Either of the 2, the best thing to do is to have a little research on what are Patio, Porch and Deck?

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Patio

Patio is from a Spanish word patio or courtyard,forecourt or yard. Generally it is an outdoor space used for dining and recreation. It originated from Spanish American architecture, an outdoor space that may or may not have a roof overhead. Patios in Spain on the 15^th century, square central patios that are surrounded by galleries and became popular. During post – world war patio’s design were backyard slabs of poured concrete in different shapes with or without embellished with blues tones, natural stones, bricks and other materials.

The difference of Patio from Decks and Porch

Unlike Decks they can be made from a variety of materials such as concrete, stones, tile, brick, pebbles, rock or pea gravel. So that white spring granite slab can be used in your patios. Patios do not also need to have safety railings since it is built at or around ground level unlike decks. Patios can be attached to a structure or detached by it and with a roof or pergola overhead or left open. Patio has also much more versatile structure than the porch

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Deck

Decks are are usually made of treated lumber or composite.It is a wooden platform built above the ground connected to the main house or building. Originally it was derived from the deck of the ship. Decks can be attached to a house or freestanding. It is built to take advantage of the view, its main access would be from the house through the doors or from the ground via staircase . An outdoor kitchen can also be used, with beautiful white spring granite counter tops. Some decks like patios can surround a pool or spa and can also accommodate fire pits.

The difference of Deck from Patio and Porch

 Decks are primarily made of woods or composite material unlike patio and porch that can be made of variety of materials. Popular woods for decking include redwood, cedar, and pressure-treated pine. Deck unlike porch and patio are enclosed in a railing for safety. Though deck can accommodate a fire pit, it needs to have fireproof material separating it from its floor wood such materials are concrete, ceramic, natural stones like white spring granite.

Porch

Porches, can be traced back during Ancient Greece and Rome.  Specifically like the Acropolis in Athens. The American porch first materialized by the early 1700s and 100 years later became part of American Architecture. The very first porches were built by immigrants and slaves from Africa. Though during the post World War II housing prosperity brought to an end to the popularity of front porches due to privacy issue and parties and gathering were pushed on the backyard, thus patios and deck became part of the American architecture.

The difference of Porch from Patio and Deck

Porch though more popular to be in front of the house or most commonly called the “wrap around” porch from front to side.However there are also back porches, but covered patio’s are more often seen in houses. Unlike patio and deck, porches cannot be detached from the house structure. It is also a transitional space from the outside to the inside of the structure. Generally porches unlike patio and deck cannot accommodate outdoor kitchen or can be surrounded by a pool or spa. Front porches cannot offer the same privacy from your neighbor unlike the patio or deck which are situated at the back of the house.

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August 2, 2017