It’s always fun to utilize the outdoor space to accommodate seating, cooking and dining. The popular choices for such activities could be patios and porches built by using the expertise of patio contractors.

A patio is built into the ground and is not usually attached to your home.

Whereas, a porch is attached to your home and usually has a floor, walls and a roof.

But the definitions are dependent, somewhat, on your region. Patios and porches can be both outdoors, either in the backyard or front part of the house. You can have a roof on it or leave it roofless as your choice. There are limitless ideas for both but let us see the obvious differences among these two things.

Porch

In most regions, a porch is considered as an outdoor structure with no walls but a roof. It is attached to the house and serves as a place to enjoy open air, entertain guests or even a resting place for the inhabitants. It also protects the main entrance of the house.

Usually in regions where the climate is cold or afflicted by insects, a porch usually has walls or removable screens to protect from insects.

Patio

A patio can either be attached to the house or be a detached terrain. It is paved, almost always, with poured concrete, stone or pavers. A patio in the backyard is usually larger than a porch, roofless and with no walls. Patios are usually built to cook, entertain and dine.

Location And Purpose

Porches are part of your home architectural design. Their purpose is mainly entertainment and relaxation. They are usually located at the front of the house and can run all the way to the back of the house. You can wall or screen your porch for general protection as well as protection from insects. This extra space can be fit in with outdoor furniture.

A patio is built away from your home and on a levelled ground. If desired, you can cover your patio. Patios are usually built in the backyard and are large enough to accommodate seating, cooking and dining. You can completely cover your patio with glass or with large panelled windows to use it throughout the year.

Flooring Type

Flooring for porches is usually tile, stone or brick laid over concrete. Wood flooring can also be used. All these materials give your porch a more finished look for a close resemblance to your home interior.

As the patio is built on the ground and has to endure all types of weather harshness, the material used for its flooring must be concrete, stone or brick, or maybe some other masonry type.

Installation

Porches are usually part of the main house architecture. Their best installation is while building a new home or remodeling your home. The complicated design of a porch including additional increment of fan or lighting requires professional installation, therefore, the building cost of a porch is higher.

Patios are easier to build. They can also be DIY projects with no need of professional help but still require a lot of work done. Before building a patio, the ground must be leveled, compacted and reinforcing material should be used for strength and durability. Cost of building patios is less than of porches.

Porches are accessible mostly by stairs so there is a slip or trip hazard for kids. Unlike porches, patios don’t pose risk of falling from height. So care must be taken and kids must not be left unattended.

When wet, the floor of both can become slippery. You must take care if the floor is wet.

Patios are made with more sturdy materials, therefore, the maintenance is relatively easy and low cost. On the other hand, maintenance of porches might need professional help.

By selecting the right material for your porches as well as your patios, you can increase the durability of both.

A beautiful porch increases the house’s curb appeal and this can decide on how quickly the house sells. Adding a patio to the house makes it more marketable.

Pros of Porch

• Can be made matching the exterior of the home
• Expand living space
• Increases curb appeal
• Entrance protection, fresh air experience
• Can be screened for insect protection

Cons of Porch

• Requires regular maintenance
• Expensive installation
• May be damaged by termites
• Slip and trip stair hazard
• Doesn’t raise resale value of the house

Pros of Patio

• Can be covered
• Less installation cost
• Easy maintenance
• Increases curb appeal

Cons of Patio

• Extreme temperature may affect
• When wet, can be slippery
• Must be built on levelled ground
• No protection from insects

Go to the backyard patio builders Long Island that give affordable quotes. However, never choose a patio contractor that is offering dirt cheap rates because then they would use low quality materials.