Outdoor living spaces are highly sought-after features of any home.
Learn the differences between a porch and a patioplus how each can impact sellability.
What Is a Porch?
Credit: Tria Giovan
A porch is a defined element of the overall home design and architecture.
More often than not, youll also find a porch raised off the ground.
Porchesare typically defined by local ordinances and must be permitted.
Credit: David A Land
Porches are typically raised off the ground and can often include decorative millwork.
Some porches are covered to provide shade while others are screened in to keep bugs at bay.
For years, porches have been a place to gather and observe the area in which you live.
Credit: Matthew Benson
They also invite chit chat with neighbors.
The front porch has long been a place to convene and gather.
Its that in-between space between home and community, Lenhart says.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
What Is a Patio?
While porches wrap around homes, patios are separate from the structure.
They too must be permitted if theyre a permanent feature.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Patiosvary in size and use.
More often than not, were seeing a shift towards creating multiple, distinct patio areas in backyards.
Kenin named redwood, cedar, and other pressure-treated wood, which is insect resistant.
Wood porches can be properly maintained with periodic power washing and occasional painting and staining, she says.
Composite wood porches only require a periodic power washing.
Patios, on the other hand, are typicallymade of concrete or paversof some sort.
Patios and terraces are typically constructed from stone slabs or bricks.
Whether you end up with a porch or a patio, dont skip on maintenance.
In fact, down south, porching is a verb.
Dont have a patio or porch?
Adding one is certainly worth the investment, both for your own enjoyment and for resale down the line.
Porches are a feature that potential buyers will appreciate and pay a premium for.
In places such as Los Angeles, they might not be as valuable.
