North American Deck and Patio is Maryland's trusted decking and patio company that offers consistent results guaranteed by an honest warranty. Porches and terraces have a very similar construction. The main difference between the two is that a porch has a roof and is at least partially enclosed, while a terrace is fully open. Therefore, the installation process for building the terrace or porch itself is mostly the same.
The biggest difference comes from the porch enclosure; does the roof overhang already exist or will it be necessary to extend the roof over the new porch? If an old porch is replaced, the construction of the new porch or of a new terrace will be approximately the same. However, if a new porch or deck is added, the porch will require the addition of a new roof line 2, which would mean a more difficult and expensive installation. The porch will also need a roof and possibly poles to support the front overhang. Decks, however, don't need them.
Porches with a suitable overhang may use flooring or other materials that are not suitable for roofs. The covers can be used for outdoor recreational purposes, such as grilling, sunbathing, entertaining and relaxing. The installation of a terrace or porch can be presented as a renovation project or as part of an associated new construction or alteration project. A porch is normally defined as a covered addition to the house, usually added to the front, while a deck is an open outdoor addition, usually added to the back of the house.
Whether they are attached to your home or not, terraces are generally considered an addition to a home, not a fundamental part of the architecture or design of the house. When a platform is raised more than 3 feet above ground level, building codes require a roof railing system. According to Remodeling magazine's Cost vs Value report, both composite and wood roofs can increase the resale value of your home with an ROI of 65.2% and 71.5%, respectively. Wooden covers require the most maintenance, as they must be washed annually and dyed at least every two years.
Artificial materials, including fiber cement roofing and composite decking, can extend the life of both the roof and the porch. Because both porches and decks are generally made of pressure-treated wood, they are susceptible to both termites and other wood-piercing insects, such as carpenter ants and some species of bees. You'll usually need to obtain construction permits to create a new platform, and it's important to inspect and maintain the platform structure to ensure that it remains secure. Even if it rises slightly above the ground, a porch provides a definite sense of privacy: it's closer to an indoor living space than it is to a terrace or patio.
To lift a platform off the ground, builders often use inexpensive wood, such as treated pine, or a metal frame system such as Fortress Evolution Steel Deck Framing. Although terraces, patios and porches can come in all shapes and sizes, decks are usually raised and raised platforms, while patios are living spaces at ground level.
