People tend to brush off the clear difference between a patio and a balcony, treating them as the same thing. Most homeowners even use the terms interchangeably because they believe that it refers to the same outdoor construction. In reality, though, they are completely different.
Is a Patio and Balcony the Same Thing?
People tend to use these terms to refer to the same thing: veranda, porch, deck, balcony, or patio. All of them may refer to the house’s extended parts or the house’s outdoor structures, but each of them has its different structures.
Sure, all of them also share some similarities and common features, but it doesn’t mean that they are the same. You should know that each of them comes with its characteristics and designs, and you need to understand each of them to avoid mistakes.
A patio refers to an open space that is placed within the ground level. A balcony, on the other hand, refers to an elevated platform that is commonly constructed or made above the ground level, at least one floor above the ground. A balcony can overlook the patio because it is typically connected to a certain room of the house.
What Is Considered a Patio?
So, what is a patio? As it was stated before, a patio is an open and outdoor space that is commonly placed within the back area of the house. It can be attached to the main house or it can come as a detached structure, but a patio should be quite close to the main structure of the house and it should be constructed around your landscape.
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Patios are commonly (and traditionally) open, meaning that you can see the sky, but many homeowners these days have installed an overhead shade. It protects from the natural elements as well as privacy. Plus, this kind of outdoor space is usually paved with concrete pavers, cobblestones, and natural stone.
Bigger houses usually have bigger patios that accommodate kitchens and even barbecue areas. After all, the purpose of the patio is to provide a relaxing spot. Homeowners can use this area to relax or even entertain guests. It’s pretty common to have small parties or gathering events on the patios, where you can use functional furniture, fountains, outdoor lighting, and also plants for the decorations.
What Is Considered a Balcony?
A balcony is an outdoor platform that is usually attached to the upper floors of a building, and it’s quite small. A balcony is commonly connected or attached to a certain room, enabling the person to enjoy fresh air without having to leave their room or house. A balcony is commonly an enclosed space with concrete parapets or grills (and also railings).
A house or a building can have several balconies on every floor. It’s also common for apartments to offer balconies as they can be quite crucial. When your apartment has a balcony, you can enjoy the outdoor space. If the space is enough, you can even have several planters for your small garden.
The Materials Used
Some people also differentiate the use of materials to build either a balcony or a patio. You can have more options (of materials) when building a patio. As it was stated before, you can have stones, tiles, or bricks. For balconies, however, the options are pretty limited. Commonly, balconies are made from wood or concrete.
Bottom Line
If you want to avoid mistakes during the construction, it’s crucial to talk it through with your developer. Which one do you want, a balcony or a patio? A patio is always located on the ground level while a balcony is usually on a higher level AND it must be attached to a room.
After you understand the difference between a patio and a balcony, you can move forward with the construction.
