Porch vs Patio vs Deck vs Stoop vs Balcony. Discuss

[MWELL001]

Hey all, just wanted to get some fellow appraisers input on the subject. Specifically I was hoping to clear up the definitions of these seemingly interchangeable terms.

I didn't have any luck finding older threads via search, sorry if it's a re-post.

 

[Scott R Marshall]

I don't know if there's a hard and fast rule but I'll tell you where I'm at.

Porch is the front

Patio is the back or sides

Stoop is too small to do anything with other than trip over. I don't even use that term in my reports.

Deck is anything made of wood or that synthetic wood

Balcony is not on the ground level

 

[Restrain]

Sounds good to me.

 

[Vermonter]

I don't know if there's a hard and fast rule but I'll tell you where I'm at.

Porch is the front

Patio is the back or sides

Stoop is too small to do anything with other than trip over. I don't even use that term in my reports.

Deck is anything made of wood or that synthetic wood

Balcony is not on the ground level

Around here it's a little different-

Porch is covered or enclosed....could be front, back or sides.

Patio is on grade.

Stoop is as you describe.

Deck is anything off the main level not covered and not placed on grade.

Balcony is as you describe.

 

[residentialguy]

Porch is attached to the house, can be front or back...but it has a roof. It can be open, screened, 3 season, (has windows) or 4 season (insulated & heated). If it acts as a corridor to another structure (garage), it is a breeze-way. Finished porches are also called other names, such as Sun rooms, Florida rooms, etc. A long open porch in the front of a house (usually with railings) is also called a Verandah


Deck is a raised planked add-on that has railings, typically adjoined to the house. Decks do not have a roof, but may have a arbor. (open spaced plank cover)


Patio is paved area that is ground level..usually concrete or pavers. It can be made of planked wood, too.


Stoop is the raised step area that leads into the door of a house. Sometimes this area is covered by what some may call an open porch (usually has pillars), but is more accurately called a portico.


Balcony usually is a second floor or higher area attached to the house and only has access from the house.


Confusion comes when you get hybrids.

 

[Mr Rex]

So what do you call a deck with a roof? Why does a porch have to have a roof?

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

if it is understood that a porch is covered, why does HUD require the use of "covered or uncovered" in the description?

 

[residentialguy]

So what do you call a deck with a roof?

An open porch.

Why does a porch have to have a roof?

To distinguish it from a deck

if it is understood that a porch is covered, why does HUD require the use of "covered or uncovered" in the description?

What do you expect when the govt gets involved.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

A deck is wood or composite here. Porches do not have to be covered. Yankees have it all wrong.

 

[residentialguy]

A deck is wood or composite here. Porches do not have to be covered. Yankees have it all wrong.

What is the difference between a non covered wood porch and a deck? What's next, an non covered house?