Outdoor Structures: A Glossary

It’s all about communication.

In the day-to-day context of most people’s lives the definition of a porch and deck are relatively inconsequential, as a company that specializes in porch construction––the difference is a major one. After nearly 30 years in the business, we’ve learned that when someone says they want a patio made of wood they mean they want a deck, or when they say they want a screened in deck they actually want a porch! 

Regardless of what Webster says, the client knows what they want. So to avoid any confusion, we’ve developed the Porch Co Dictionary of Porch Terms we’d like to share with you. We’re open to your definition as long as we’re getting you exactly what you want.

Definitions:

Porch – Roofed structure with walls that breathe.

Screened porch with entrance deck leading to paver walkway.

Roof – A waterproof overhead structure (as opposed to arbor which leaks when it rains).

“Walls That Breathe” – Either an open air porch (basically no walls, only columns) or screened in porch (which air passes through). This specifically means that there are no windows. Our “walls that breathe'' term very specifically means not a sunroom or room with glass walls/windows.

Screened Deck – We don’t like this term because our porches are much more than just a deck and some screens, but if you must use it, it implies a deck onto which a screened porch has been added.

Screened Porch – This is a porch with screened walls. We much prefer this term to “screened deck” because our porches are more like lovely functioning rooms of your house.Front Porch – A porch on the front of your house. Typically an unscreened structure covering the front door and often more dressy than a back porch.

Back Porch – A porch on the rear of your house.

Open Air Porch – A porch with no fixed screen walls. However, it may have screen curtains (see below).

Open air porch with screened porch to the side and stone patio in front.

Sunroom - A glassed in room, just call this an addition with lots of windows. This is not a porch.

Sunroom - lots of windows!

Deck – Wooden structure (could be wood framing with composite decking) without a roof.

Azek deck with PorchCo PVC gate

Patio – Masonry structure without a roof.

Random cut stone patio leading to screened porch

Pavers – This term is really confusing because even in the industry it means different things. When we say pavers we are really talking about the method of installation of a particular type of masonry product. That installation method consists of a compacted gravel base, sand, and then the pavers. These pavers can be made of concrete, clay or various types of stone. For example, you can have concrete pavers, brick pavers, bluestone pavers, travertine pavers, etc., but they are all installed using the same method. What makes them pavers (in our definition) is that they are formed, cut, or shaped, to work with this method of installation. Wow, apologies if that was more than you wanted to know!

Concrete paver patio surrounding screened porch.

Screen Curtains – Curtains made using screening material. A Porch Company favorite! 

Arbor/Pergola – Much like a porch, but with a slatted roof (that does not keep the water out). No roofing material is used. It is typically wood (or pvc material) with gaps between the boards. Its purpose is to provide shade and does so depending on how close together the boards are put. If the boards are put too close together Brentwood Codes calls it a pavilion. So again, terms are important.

Arched pergola.

Pavilion – A porch not attached to a house.

Detached pavilion

Detached Porch - A pavilion. 

Gazebo – A porch not attached to a house. However, typically 8 sides. So, an 8-sided pavilion.

We know this can be a lot, but knowing these definitions and differentiations will make our time together more efficient and effective. The most important thing to us is that you get exactly what you want and can enjoy your outdoor structure for many, many years to come. If you’re ready to get started we welcome your inquiry, right here on our website.

As an alternative, for design and construction questions, give us a call during business hours at (615) 662-2886.