Know The Difference Between Porch Vs Patio

The meanings of the terms porch vs patio depend on the area where you live. There is a simply known distinction in some regions of the country—porches are raised structures connected to the house, with walls, floor, and roof built with wood.

On the other hand, the patio is always seen as the ground level structure with the brick floor material.

However, in other regions, particularly those with slab-on-grade foundations, the detail is less obvious. So, here are the details of porches vs patios that can suit your style. Also, they both can be found either in backyards or front yards and can be left closed with an arbor or a roof structure or open to the sky.

What Is a Porch?

Generally, the backyard porch is defined in most regions as the outdoor structure with the roof, which is normally open at the sides. The porch is connected to the main house and serves as the resting place for homeowners to enjoy and entertain the fresh air. It is sometimes referred to as a loggia or veranda.

The word “porch” originates from the Old French word porche, from the Latin word for passage. The structure has roots back in ancient Rome and Greece, where buildings like the Acropolis in Athens included the roofed, open-air.

In the Italian middle ages, porches took the frame of loggias—open-aired, roofed balconies used to give shelter from the hot sun.

The American front porch appeared in the early 1700s, and hundred years later, it became the fixture of American design. Moreover, some of the first porches in the U.S were built by the enslaved Africans and immigrants. Other porches most likely were built by the Europeans, who adapted architecture and homes for the milder climate. 

Early Spanish and French Colonial houses featured porches or verandas, which featured covered roofs and were usually wrapped around the house.

Other styles of architecture also featured porches, including Greek Revival, Italianate, Stick Style, Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival, Second Empire, Shingle, Queen Anne, Craftsman (Bungalow or Crafts and Arts), and Prairie.

In colder climates or those troubled by insects, it is not uncommon to wall-in the sides of the porch with movable screens to protect from the insects. Or even add window panels to increase the use of the porch into the colder months.

What Is a Patio?

Unlike the backyard porch, which is always connected to the resident, the patio can be either a detached landscape feature or a joined structure. It is mostly always a brick surface, using concrete pavers, natural stone, or poured concrete as the below surface. It is usually left open to the sky, the patio is a more adaptable outdoor structure than the porch, and it is usually much bigger. 

Moreover, one of the most significant concerns when building the patio is to create a simple path between the outdoor kitchen and indoor kitchen or dining area. When planning, think about who will use a patio and what activities will take place. The patios are thought of especially as places to entertain, cook, and dine.

The word patio comes from the Latin word patere, which means to “lie open.” Started in Spanish-American architecture or Spanish, it is usually an outdoor space which is open to the sky, but it can have a protecting structure overhead. During the 15th century in Spain, the square central patios surrounded by the galleries and porticos became famous. When the post-World War II years in the United States, the patios were backyard slabs of poured concrete in different shapes. Also, recently patios are usually paved with natural stone, bricks, or concrete pavers.

When to Choose a Porch Over a Patio

The porch is generally covered in transitional space shielding the front entryway of the house. It usually works as a useful function, like an area to make to leave or enter the house or to store the outdoor accessories.

The Porches are mostly used for small social gatherings or quiet relaxation. Moreover, in some regions, the porch is viewed as an energy-saving feature. The airlock or buffer zone between the severe outdoor weather and house entrance.

On the other hand, the patio is generally a big paved backyard space designed expressly for outdoor entertaining, cooking, and dining —not the functional space.

The patio is the best option if you want to enjoy the sunlight, as it is commonly left open to the sky.

Final Words

It is best to know the comparison between the porch vs patio because then you get to know which is best for you. Whether it is spring, autumn, winter, or summer, it is also great to enjoy the outdoor, even if it is only from the porch, patio, or veranda.

Every design has its own meanings, though they are certainly similar to some extent, and you can often use them interchangeably.

Moreover, if you want your porch or patio to look more beautiful, then check out some of the best outdoor deck lighting ideas. If you find this information useful, drop a comment below this section.