If you reside in a warm-weather region, enhancing your outdoor living space is essential. Lanais, porches, patios, and verandas can significantly upgrade your outdoor area and prolong the time spent relaxing outdoors. Learn from professionals about the distinct features of these spaces to determine which one suits your needs best.
Meet the Expert: Kevin Harris, founder of Kevin Harris Architect, LLC in Baton Rouge, LA, and Colleen Simonds, founder of her interior design firm in Pittsburgh, PA, along with Sarah Storms, founder of Styled by Storms in Maplewood, N.J., offer their insights.
A free-standing patio is typically unattached to the house and does not have a roof, but it may have a light covering like a pergola, canopy, or shade sails.
A veranda is similar to a porch but is usually larger, wraps around the house, and can feature seating or furniture. According to designer Colleen Simonds, ‘A veranda can wrap around the entire home while patios and porches are typically smaller spaces found in the front, back, or side of a home.’ Adding a lanai to your home offers the ultimate in true indoor/outdoor living in a comfortable setting, allowing you to expand the ‘livable’ square footage and have additional space for entertaining, relaxing, or even working. Even if your home is relatively small, you can usually expand and build a lanai to make entertaining guests easier. As Simonds says, ‘It’s the ultimate family hang-out space,’ often featuring furniture typical of an indoor lounge space and a television. When considering whether to add a lanai, porch, patio, or veranda to your home, several factors can help you choose the right option:– Extension of your home: If you want an indoor/outdoor room for optimum living space, choose a lanai or a screened porch for mild climates.
– Location: If flexibility in yard placement is needed, a simple, free-standing patio may be preferred.
– Seasonal use: If you want to use your space in multiple seasons, a lanai or screened porch is suitable.
– Available space: If there is adequate room for a veranda, it works well, especially if you prefer a porch but have limited room, consider a porch on the back of your home.
– Your home’s style: Verandas complement Colonials, farmhouses, Victorians, and Craftsman bungalows, while covered patios or lanais suit midcentury modern or ranch-style homes, and screened porches fit most homes.
When considering the addition of a covered patio to your home, one of the primary concerns is the cost. HomeAdvisor provides a comprehensive guide to help homeowners understand the expenses involved in this home improvement project.
The cost of a covered patio can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the size, materials, and location of the patio. HomeAdvisor outlines these factors and provides a detailed cost breakdown to give homeowners a clear understanding of what to expect financially. Homeowners should also be aware of additional costs that may arise during the construction process. HomeAdvisor highlights these potential expenses to ensure that homeowners are prepared for any surprises that may come up. Understanding the cost of a covered patio is crucial for budget planning and making informed decisions about your home improvement project. HomeAdvisor’s guide offers valuable insights to help homeowners navigate the financial aspects of building a covered patio.