In fact, the porch, veranda and terrace are similar structures that are being erected as an extension to the house.. In ordinary life, we are not used to looking for precise definitions, so we tend to consider all these terms as synonyms. And this is usually not a problem, although, in this article, we will still tell you about how all these designs differ. And from this article, you will learn what to consider when you are going to build a porch, veranda or terrace, as well as what your budget is capable of..
So let’s start with the definitions.
A terrace is an elevated area that has a hard floor covering, usually a wood-polymer composite or natural wooden deck floors. The railing and roof may or may not be present in the terrace. The site can either be adjacent to the house, or stand as a separate island away from it.
A veranda is a closed space that has glazing on two or three sides and a roof. The room is not heated, but it always adjoins the house with one wall.
The porch is an extension at the entrance to the house. It doesn’t have to be small or large, but it needs to be aligned with the front door. Sometimes, a porch is confused with a veranda, but the porch does not need to have a roof or walls..
As you can see, there are small ones differentiating between these three designs. For you personally, these differences should not make any difference, because you are building an extension according to your desire, and not the rules of terminology. So, everything will depend on what you want to build, and not on what needs to be built, in order for the design to meet the points specified in its description..
What do you want to build?
Define your goals for the extension project. Consider the design not in terms of terminology, but in terms of how you see it and what you want from it..
1. How are you going to use the extension?
Having answered this question, you will in many ways already decide what exactly you need — a veranda, a porch or a terrace. If you want to place tables and chairs, then the area of the platform should be larger. If it is windy in your area, then it makes sense to make a veranda, but if you need access to summer air, then you can install swing or sliding glazing on it to quickly turn the structure into a porch or terrace.
2. Where the extension will face?
If you want to organize the space for yourself personally, then it is better to do it in the backyard. Basically, you can encircle the whole house with an extension like a porch, making a bridge from it to an ordinary terrace in the center of the garden. Nothing limits you.
3. Will the extension be used for entertainment?
If you plan to use the site as a place for a summer dining area or a place for dancing under the moon, then you need to provide for its ability to withstand loads, as well as choose materials that are more adapted to traffic.
4. You know what your extension will look like?
Explore the Internet and see what options different architects have to offer. Flip through interior magazines for examples from famous designers. Based on all this, you will be able to create your own solution that suits you for your goals and will fit your budget..
Budget
The cost of an extension to a house will depend on many factors. These are materials, and the amount of work, and workers. There are many ways to save money on building a porch, veranda, or terrace. Reducing the workforce is the first option. If you do everything yourself, then you do not have to pay a team of workers. But this will save your budget only if you know how to use the tools and work with your own hands..
Costs, depending on size and complexity, will vary from region to region. Materials play an important role in this part of the project budgeting, and their cost is different in different regions of Russia. A small porch project can cost 15,000 rubles or 50,000 rubles. Items such as lighting, equipment, architectural details and furnishings are not included in this amount. A good large terrace, built by contractors from good materials, can cost from 50,000 rubles to 100,000 rubles.
The company can supply a fixed price per square meter, subject to the height of the foundation and the complexity of the work, excluding materials. Private teams can calculate the amount according to the principle of 1000-2000 knocks per employee. Then you will need to count the number of days they will work, multiply that by the price they charge per day of work, and then add the cost of materials to that. This will be your estimated construction budget.