Patio

Patio

What is a patio?

Patio is an outdoor structure that is either attached or detached to the main house or building and usually constructed in the back of the house. It is mainly open to the sky but sometimes has an overhead roof for shade and privacy. It is constructed on the ground adjacent to the main structure or slightly away from it mostly around a swimming pool or landscape and are built with paved stones, concrete, bricks, cobbles or tiles.

Mostly patios are decorated with plants and outdoor furniture and since they are used for dining and recreation, they are built in places with easy access to the kitchen or backyard. Having an outdoor kitchen or barbeque setup in a patio is a great idea for those who frequently entertain guests.

Since patios are set on a ground level, they do not need to meet any regulations and codes. They require maintenance though, as bricks need to be replaced or tiles need to be polished or cleaned.

There are three types of patios that are recommended.

- Flat roof patios that help excess water flow in case of rain

- Modern patios with curved roof made out of modern materials such as aluminum

- Gable patios with peaked roof

Porch vs Patio

- Porch is mostly attached to the main structure and located in the front of the house hence taking up the shape of the main structure whereas versatility of a patio is that it can differ in size and shape and are freestanding. They are more multifaceted than porch in terms of functionality and décor.

- While constructing a porch, sometimes you need to follow safety and regulations whereas patios do not need to follow such rules and codes. Porches above 2 feet require railings.

- Where porch leads to an entrance of the house, patios are sometimes constructed adjacent to the structure ad not necessarily in front or back of the house.

- It is very common that porches are mostly in the front and patios in the backyard although there are no hard and fast rules regarding that concept.