Exterior Home AdditionsPorch, Lanai, Veranda, Balcony, and Terrace

A porch is a construction external to the walls of the main building proper, but may be enclosed by latticework, broad windows, screen, or other light frame walls extending from the main structure.

Porch

oFront PorchoBack PorchoWrap-around PorchoScreened Porch

Types of Porch

The most traditional kind of porch, the front porch is popular with homeowners who want to keep up with the neighborhood or create a welcoming entry for guests.

Types of Porch

Front Porch

A back porch can be a great way to connect your kitchen to the garden outside, a place to enjoy water or nature views, or a protected spot to watch the kids play in the yard.

Types of Porch

Back Porch

A wrap-around porch can extend the living space of a casual family room, or it can give guests a spot to enjoy the garden when connected to a more formal living or dining room.

Types of Porch

Wrap-around Porch

Screens allow you to use your porch more often and make it better suited for more activities.

Types of Porch

Screened Porch

Factors influencing porch size

oPorch useroDoor sizeoFurnitureoDecorations

Factors influencing porch size

oAvailable spaceoSize of the houseoHeight of the house

A lanai is a type of roofed, open-sided veranda, patio or porch originating in Hawaii. The term lanai is normally applied to the structure if it's attached to a building on or near the beach or on a small island.

Lanai

A veranda or verandah is a roofed, open-air gallery or porch. It can often be found on the back of council bungalows.

Veranda

oCurved VerandaoFlat VerandaoPergola VerandaoGable oGazebo Veranda

Types of Veranda

The curved veranda provides a contemporary addition to your home. It boasts smooth, clean and curved lines to form a convex canopy over the outdoor living space.

Types of Veranda

Curved Veranda

The flat veranda design is the most simple to construct, as well as the most versatile. A flat veranda can be constructed to fit and complement just about any outdoor space.

Types of Veranda

Flat Veranda

The pergola veranda creates an open air, outdoor setting that will let in light while still adding shade and aesthetic appeal to a home. The roof of the pergola veranda is slotted.

Types of Veranda

Pergola Veranda

The gable design exhibits a sloping roof line that provides a nice aesthetic change to the existing roof line of a home. The roof of a gable is solid and is often constructed out of clear roof sheeting to provide a sun-room effect.

Types of Veranda

Gable

The gazebo design adds tremendous charisma to any outdoor space. Most often, the gazebo veranda is built as a stand-alone structure. Its characteristic design element is a vaulted roof.

Types of Veranda

Gazebo Veranda

Common Veranda Sizes

Common sizes include 14 x 20, 16 x 20, 12 x 20, 16 x 18 and 18 x 20 feet. The shapes also vary, from the rectangular to the curved domes. Often, the dimensions used are not based on any average or standard size.

Factors influencing veranda size

oShapeoFurnitureoAccessories

A balcony is a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade, usually above the ground floor.

Balcony

oTrue Balcony oFalse Balcony oFaux Balcony oMezzanine Balcony

Types of Balcony

True balcony usually extends from the second story of the building or higher.

Types of Balcony

True Balcony

False balconies are installed on existing homes as an additional architectural feature because they do not add any sort of value onto your home.

Types of Balcony

False Balcony

Faux balconies are usually known as balcony with railings but without any space. Faux balconies are installed on existing properties as they don’t provide any real use to a building.

Types of Balcony

Faux Balcony

Mezzanine balconies are more like a typical balcony, which features a large deck with rails that project outward from the wall. It provides access to the exterior part of the building.

Types of Balcony

Mezzanine Balcony

Average Balcony Size

An average dimension of a balcony is in the four feet range.

Factors influencing balcony size

oSpace availableoCan accommodate a person or twooAccess dooroAccessories

A balcony is a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade, usually above the ground floor.

Terrace

Terraces are used primarily for leisure activity such as sitting, strolling, or resting. The term often applies to a raised area in front of a monumental building or structure, which is usually reached by a grand staircase and surrounded by a balustrade.

Ground Terrace

Terraces need not always protrude from a building; a flat roof area (which may or may not be surrounded by a balustrade) used for social activity is also known as a terrace.

Roof Terrace

Terrace size considerations

The dimensions of terraces vary. Some are designed like a regular porch and measure 12 x 20 ft. or 14 x 20 ft. There are no standard dimensions for terraces. Homeowners and builders have different designs, and this affects the entire layout.