Difference between

Architectural Outdoor
terms & their Building
Materials
BMC III Assignment

Done By: Ruth Amdemichael

ID No_: RU 4122/ 11
Summited to: Mr. Berhanu
Table of Contents
Contents
Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.
Porch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Terrace ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Balcony --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Patio --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
Veranda --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7
Courtyard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
Deck --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
Canopy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Pergola ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Portico -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Reference -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

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Abstract

It’s great to enjoy the outdoors and have some air, even if it’s only from your balcony,
porch, veranda, patio or deck and others. And speaking of that, what’s the difference between all
these spaces. They are certainly similar to a certain extent and we often use them
interchangeably. Still, this doesn’t make them similar. There are, in fact, clear differences
between all of the areas described by these terms. This outdoor spaces use variety of material to
be built such materials like wood, concrete and so on.

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Porch
A porch is a term used in architecture to describe a room or gallery located in front of an
entrance of a building. A porch is placed in front of the facade of a building it commands, and
forms a low front. Alternatively, a porch can be defined as a projecting building that houses the
entrance door of a building. A porch can also be a vestibule. Porches can be both: open structures
without windows; or enclosed interior extensions which protect the house from unpleasant
weather conditions.

Building Material for Porch

 Wood or Lumber
 Moisture barrier
 Concrete
 Clay brick
 Gravel
 Joist hangers
 Aluminum

old style(Indian )

current style

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Terrace
A terrace is an external, raised, open, flat area in either a landscape (such as a park or garden)
near a building or as a roof terrace on a flat roof. Terraces are used primarily for leisure activity
such as sitting, strolling, or resting. Terraces may also be platforms, supported by columns but
without the space below filled in, but terraces are always open to the sky and may or may not be
paved. Terraces tend to be used only in larger and more expensive gardens. Terraces need not
always protrude from a building; a flat roof area used for social activity is also known as a
terrace.

Building materials for Terrace

 Wood
 Aluminum
 Glass
 Plexiglas
 Poly carbon
 Brick
 Rocks
 Concrete blocks

Roof Terrace Ground Terrace

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Balcony
Balconies are an outdoor extension of a building’s upper floor; with an averagely one meter-
enclosure (railings, balusters, screens, etc). Balconies as we know them today date from
medieval and renaissance architecture when they used to be based on stone corbels, or oversized
wooden brackets. The technique changed in the 19th century when solid concrete and cast iron
took over the structure, and they reinforced it. The enclosed balcony creates a bridge between
indoors and outdoors, protecting occupants from stormy weather.

Building Materials for Balcony

 Concrete
 Wood
 Cast iron
 Moisture barrier system

Indoor Balcony Outdoor Balcony

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Patio
A patio is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a residence and is
typically paved. Still, there is no determination of whether patios should be open or closed: they
come in any size, shape, or enclosure (semi-closed, covered, uncovered, etc).

Building materials for Patio

 Brick
 Stone
 Gravel
 Concrete
 Cobbles
 Block paving,
 Tiles
 Glass

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Veranda
Verandas (known also as verandahs) stand for all sorts of roofed platforms around the house. In
fact, they play the role of a ground floor balcony, surrounding the house and giving access both
to the entrance and the back door of the house. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing
and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure.

Building Materials for Veranda

 Wood
 Roof planks
 Support
 Crowbars
 Wall Plugs
 Mortar
 Joist Anchors
 Roofing felt

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Courtyard
Courtyards are private open spaces surrounded by walls or buildings—have been in use in
residential architecture for almost as long as people have lived in constructed dwellings. It is a
circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex that is open to the sky.

Building Materials for Courtyard

 Stone paving
 Adobe walls
 Staircase
 Brick
 Concrete block

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Deck
A deck is a flat surface capable of supporting weight, similar to a floor, but typically constructed
outdoors, often elevated from the ground, and usually connected to a building. The term is a
generalization of decks as found on ships.

Building Materials for Deck

 Pressure treated wood
 Composite material
 Aluminum
 Polystyrene

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Canopy
A canopy is an overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is
attached, able to provide shade or shelter from weather conditions such as sun, hail, snow and
rain. A canopy can also be a tent, generally without a floor.

Building Materials for Canopy

 Decorative wooden frame
 Wood
 Concrete
 Aluminum
 Plexiglas

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Pergola
A pergola is an outdoor garden feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting area of
vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often upon
which woody vines are trained. Pergolas are more permanent architectural features.

Building materials for Pergola

 Wood
 Vinyl
 Fiberglass
 Aluminum
 Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
 Stone pillars

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Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof
structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used
in ancient Greece and has influenced many cultures, including most Western cultures.

Building materials for Portico

 Concrete
 Wood
 Slab
 PVC

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Conclusion
All the above terms are similar as they are different. The main similairites is that all are outdoor
terms and the space is for recrational purpose. Some of the spaces like portico porches terrace are
part of the buildings while canopy pergola portico(specifically for porches ) serves the landscape
as a shade or roof for certain weather conditions. Balcony and deck are both elevated space while
a balcony should be at least above ground level. Porches and verandah serves as an entrance for
the homes but the difference lies on the fact that porches are only on the front side while
verandah can be around the whole house. In the end their main difference will be that their
position and how they function.

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Reference
en.m.wikipedia.com

designingbuilding.co.uk

thespurce.com

quora.com

homedit.com

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