Are you thinking of constructing a new home for yourself? When people think about constructing their homes, they often think about how they could spend some time outdoors.
A great way to do that is to add a balcony or a veranda to your home. To determine which structure you want, you must understand the difference between a balcony and a veranda.
The two are very different, and most people know the difference between them. If you’re considering investing in a balcony or a veranda, you must decide which one you want to opt for.
In the article below, we’ll be looking at the difference between a balcony and a veranda.
What is the Difference Between a Balcony and a Veranda?
A veranda or a verandah is an open space where you can look at a garden. It is generally linked to the outside of a building.
As we have mentioned, a balcony is another outgrowth of a building’s upper floor. Balconies are generally protrusions, whereas verandas are quite different.
The significant difference is just how the flooring is. The verandah is associated with the ground floor of your home.
However, the balcony is generally placed on the first floor or the upper portions of the house.
Balconies are also more compact than verandas which is why they are much more common.
You need to have more real estate to have verandas in your home. Buildings and apartment complexes can also not have verandas.
Furthermore, verandas also generally provide access from the garden, with a front or back door that you can access. At the same time, balconies usually are accessed from one or two doors.
Balconies are also often used as a replacement for windows in a room, whereas this isn’t the case with verandas.
The function of a veranda is also quite different compared to a balcony. Verandas are places where you can receive guests and entertain them.
At the same time, balconies are too small for this. They don’t have as much real estate for you to consider people.
Balcony
Definition
A balcony is a structure that is essentially a projection. It projects off the side of a building.
It is often something that hangs mid-air, and it is outlined due to the railings that define it.
Balconies are generally structures that are elevated.
They are found on buildings as a way to look out into the real world. In residential apartment blocks, many people use balconies for different activities.
Balconies can also be covered fully or partially. They can protect you from the weather while you enjoy your time outside.
Many use balconies to witness the rain without getting wet and watching the sun peak over the horizon.
Attributes
Now that we know what a balcony is, we can define what features help it stand out. There are notable features of a balcony that you can pick up on.
Balconies are more common in the modern world than verandas because they are easier to construct in a limited space.
The need for balconies is steadily growing with the influx of growth in the residential complex.
The balcony will generally be a high projection, which means it will protrude from your building.
You don’t have to remodel or pay the price of remodeling when it comes to balconies.
A balcony is also not too expensive for people to add to the entire project. They also have the remarkable ability to give you fresh air and natural light.
Balconies can come in many different sizes and shapes. They don’t increase your living space by a lot, but balconies are primarily about what they represent, a space where you can be on your own.
They can be much smaller than a terrace. The limited size and location of a balcony area where you can enjoy coffee or tea with a friend or smoke on your own if that’s how you feel.
Types
Different types of Balconies
- Hung Balconies
- Stacked Balconies
- Juliet Balconies
- Maltese Balconies
- False Balconies
- Loggia Balconies
- Cantilevered Balconies
Veranda
Definition
A veranda or a verandah is an open space where you can look at a garden.
It is generally linked to the outside of a building. The veranda is typically a covered structure that is present at the bottom of the house as opposed to on any sort of elevation.
It’s very similar to a patio. However, it is generally attached to more than one side of the buildings. It is often partly closed, but you can quickly move in and out of it.
Attributes
A veranda is quite a different structure compared to a balcony. If you strip them down completely, you will still find that verandas are roofed and act as open-air galleries.
They aren’t structures that are expanded from a window. Instead, these provide access from a garden and generally circle the building.
They take up quite a lot of space compared to balconies, so it’s important to note that verandas aren’t that common.
If you want to expand the living space in your home, then a veranda is a great way to bring that about. They are also an excellent place for you to welcome your guests.
Verandas are also a great way for you to connect with nature. You can just stay on the veranda and spend your summer nights in nature.
Types
The different types of Verandas are as follows:
- Gable Roof
- Apex Roof Veranda
- Hipped Roof
- Flat Veranda
- Curved Veranda
Pros and Cons of a Balcony
To further help you decide between a balcony or a veranda. We have listed the pros and cons of a balcony below.
Pros:
- Suitable for the city.
- Convenient if you have any kids or pets.
- You can get a cantilevered balcony, so there’s minimal invasion.
- You can increase your living space with relative ease.
Cons:
- Takes an effort to expand them.
- Provides only a limited area of your living space.
Pros and Cons of a Veranda
Just like the balcony, there are also pros and cons to the veranda.
Pros:
- They increase the space in your home by quite a bit
- You can have direct access to your garden or your balcony
- You can greet your guests to the best of your ability
- It’s a great place for you to relax
Cons:
- The construction of verandas takes time, patience, and money.
- Verandas are only possible if you have your home on the ground floor.
- It requires you to have a lot of real estate to your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Patio and a Balcony the Same Thing?
No, a patio and a balcony aren’t the same things. Generally, a patio is something that’s structured on the ground floor whereas a balcony is an opening we find on a higher floor.
Balconies don’t have any ground access like patios do. Patios can also be attached to the main building or detached from it.
Whereas balconies are generally attached to the higher floors of a building. Balconies are also generally smaller than patios.
You will likely never see an entire setup for a barbecue on a balcony. Balconies are thus, generally better suited for high-rise apartments and patios for homes.
Is a Patio and a Veranda the Same Thing?
There is a little bit of a difference between a patio and a veranda. The two structures are of a different variety.
Patios have a very definite structure but they’re easily customizable depending on what the owner wants. You will see a lot of variations when it comes to patios.
However, verandas are very set in the structure that they have. The attributes that a veranda has, tend to always follow.
They will always be attached to the home, they are always roofed, etc.
Patios and Verandas are often linked together because they have the same structure and functions but they’re quite different.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the significant differences between a balcony and a veranda. You can decide which structure would fit your home.
The most crucial thing to know is the space that you have in your home. Once you know your room, you can eliminate the idea of a veranda or proceed with it.
You also have to decide what area you want your structure to be.
Both verandas and balconies are structures that you can have in the same house.
However, if you ask yourself the difference between the two, you are also likely trying to figure out which would fit into your home. Balconies are not as bougie as verandas.
However, verandas are also quite luxurious.
If you want to connect with nature, the best way would be to construct a veranda in your home. However, a balcony works just fine if you don’t have the space for it.