A deck is a wood-framed platform that normally connects directly to your home. A patio is usually a cement slab in the backyard right in front of the house. A porch is most commonly a covered terrace with wall screens. The main difference between a porch and a terrace is that porches usually have an awning and offer additional protection before entering the house.
A porch is an addition to your entrance, while a terrace is usually built in the backyard and serves as a recreational area. 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.
A terrace is a flat, raised platform that is located next to a house. The covers are usually made of wood and rise above the ground. They can include spaces for barbecuing, eating and sitting. Many older platforms are made of wooden boards, although more and more builders are turning to more durable options for composite decking boards and PVC decking boards.
Depending on the design of the house, a porch can be level with the ground like a patio or raised from the ground like a terrace. Unlike patios, terraces don't require a space with level ground; roof frames can be built on all types of uneven surfaces. Pressure-treated wood can be used to build the entire platform, but composite decking is the second most popular material, which is made from a mix of woods and plastics. They are perfect for hills, slopes and rocky terrain where other types of roofs would be too uncomfortable or difficult to build.
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. The covers can be used for outdoor recreational purposes, such as grilling, sunbathing, entertaining and relaxing. Wooden covers require the most maintenance, as they must be washed annually and dyed at least every two years. As you can see, both porches and terraces offer a variety of benefits and can be used to entertain guests and provide relaxation in beautiful, windy weather.
It's a versatile roofing material and requires minimal maintenance, but it can allow mold to grow if not properly cared for. 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. Porches with a suitable overhang may use flooring or other materials that are not suitable for roofs. Contemporary or modern terraces have become more popular lately, especially with built-in benches, fire pits and hot tubs to turn them into an entertainment venue or meeting place.
