Patios Vs. Verandahs

Verandah

• The architecture of some homes calls for a visually appealing verandah, or covered porch. The veranda can stretch across the front or back of the house. A verandah can wrap around the home's sides or encase the entire structure. It offers the benefit of a roof which provides protection from sun and rain. The roof of the verandah can also serve as the perfect base to suspend a swinging chair or flower baskets. The verandah becomes additional living space for the family to enjoy the outdoors, but still have the protection of a structure.

Patios

• The homeowner can create a patio anywhere on the property. The patio does not have to be affixed to the home's structure. A patio is usually constructed from a straightforward pad made of concrete, cobblestones or rock. The pad can can vary in shape and size to fit any landscape. A homeowner can choose to create a square, rectangular or oval patio. The patio serves as the perfect stage for showcasing a homeowner's interests. Add potted plants to the patio's area, circle it in trees, lay down carpets or place a table and chairs on the patio's surface for an outdoor dinner.

Verandah Considerations

• A verandah generally costs more to construct than a patio. Not all home structures can successfully support a verandah. Some just do not have the added space, roof style or architecture for a verandah. The upkeep of a verandah can be considerably more than a patio. The homeowner will be faced with re-roofing the structure when necessary, painting touch ups and sealing the wood to keep it weatherproof. A verandah may have mosquito netting sides or curtains to keep insects out of the structure that requires replacing every few years.

Patio Considerations

• A patio is wide open to inclement weather. It has no roof to provide protection from rain and sun. The patio also has no sides to shield the wind. The lack of sides or a structure also means that the people sitting on a patio are exposed to pests such as mosquitoes. Despite its drawbacks, the patio requires remarkably little upkeep. Simply sweeping or hosing a patio off helps keep it looking tidy. Concrete patios may require inexpensive sealing and staining every year. The construction of a patio also costs considerably less than a verandah.