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Outdoor Living Options: Patio, Porch, Veranda or Lanai

Written by Posted On Sunday, 28 October 2018 16:07

Living in a sunny country like Australia comes with some perks that most other countries don’t offer.

Australians are known for enjoying, embracing and living in unison with the great outdoors.

When it comes to home ownership, Australians are more likely to favour homes that give them the ability to enjoy their immediate surroundings without actually leaving the comfort of their castle.

Homes with shaded open spaces are in high demand across the country. It’s hard to go wrong with a house that features a patio, veranda, balcony or anything in between.

Speaking of which, today we’ll be discussing the differences and similarities between a few of the most popular outdoor living areas. They include:

  • Patio
  • Porch
  • Veranda
  • Pergola
  • Pavilion
  • Lanai
  • Balcony
  • Deck

1. Patio

This term has Spanish origins that are loosely translated to “playground” or “inner courtyard” in English.

Patios refer to a paved outdoor area connected to a main building or house. They are primarily used for recreational activities such as dining and hosting visitors.

Patios are usually decorated with outdoor furniture or plants. They frequently include bricks, tiles or concrete stones.

2. Porch

Porches are extensions to the exterior of houses. They are fairly popular with Australian homeowners. Porches usually have wooden floors and a covering such as a roof.

They may be located in any part of a house, and some include multiple porches.

3. Veranda

These are roofed platforms attached to a house. Verandas are usually level with the ground floor of a building. They are known to extend across both the sides and front of a structure.

Verandas are sometimes spelled as “Verandah”, either spelling is correct, and they both refer
to the same thing.

4. Pergola

Pergolas and patios are a match made in construction heaven. Pergolas feature open roofs and are made of timber or any other type of wood.

They are often installed over patios, and they complement patios by giving them an added advantage. They also give you and your family protection from the elements.

5. Pavilion:

Pavilions are large structures installed in or around homes and in public spaces. More often than not, they are usually rectangular or square.

Pavilions are ideal for larger homes. They are perfect for cultural events and picnics, are very
similar to gazebos, but are larger and shaped differently.

6. Lanai

Lanais are multi-usage roofed structures (patios). They are often furnished and can serve as living rooms.

Lanais have Hawaiian origin and date back to as early as 1865-1870. They are quickly gaining a mass following in Oceania and Australia. All clues point to the fact that lanais are here to stay.

7. Balcony

These are arguably the most popular building attachments. Balconies are platforms attached to the outside of a building. They are connected to and accessible from the building.

Balconies are traditionally projected above the ground floor of buildings and are usually smaller than most other outdoor spaces on this list.

8. Deck:

Decks are flat, roofless platforms adjoining a building. These structures are typically made of lumber and elevated from the ground.

Decks are dual usage spaces; they’re perfect for hosting guests and having quiet family moments.

Decks can be covered by a pergola or even a canopy. It’s not rare to come across decks enclosed with railings.

Image Pixabay CC0 License

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