As we move toward the warmer months, your thoughts may well be turning to your outdoor space and how best to make use of it. The garden is a great place to socialise with friends, play with children and enjoy the long summer evenings outdoors. But which is the right home improvement when it comes to outdoor living?

Two of the most common home improvements to serve this purpose are the patio and the porch. But what are the differences between a patio and a porch? Well here are some of the key differences between the two structures.

Protection from the elements

While a patio is an open paved area of your yard, a porch is usually covered with a solid roof. This means that even when the heavens have opened, you can still enjoy the warmth outside, without being affected by the unpredictable British weather.

Living space

While a porch is often thought of as an entryway into the home, it can also be developed to provide outdoor living space. This can be furnished with outdoor furniture and used to provide additional seating for guests.

Shade

As well as protecting from the rain, a porch can also provide some much-needed relief from the beating summer sun. This is particularly advantageous if you have children or pets, enabling them to enjoy being outdoors, without getting overheated. To achieve the same protection on a patio, you would need a parasol or temporary structure.

Power

Being sheltered from the rain also enables you to provide power to your porch. This means you can hook up appliances such as a refrigerator or stereo or connect lighting to make your outdoor space more comfortable and welcoming.

Although patios and porches are often used for the same things, notably outdoor entertainment, there are key benefits of choosing one structure over the other. Get started with enhancing your property with a porch or patio by booking an appointment with us.