When you live in a subtropical climate, having an outdoor living space is something most homebuyers deem as an essential element of closing the deal. We spend a lot of time outside. An area designated for relaxing or entertaining outdoors makes life all the better.
In addition to adding square footage to your home overall, they add aestheic value which some homeowners might consider priceless.
Some homeowners install a gazebo away from the house—near a beautiful garden perhaps.
The majority of homeowners have their outdoor living space near or attached to their home though.
People often use the terms porch, patio, lanai, or verandah interchangeably. However, rather than synonyms, they actually define a specific type of space.
Let’s take a closer look at the definitions.
Porch
A porch is built directly in front of the building’s entrance—either front or back. It’s an outside extension built on the same floor level as the interior of the home. Porch styles vary. Some have columns, while others have railings or short walls. Alternatively, there are porches completely open on all sides.
Whatever the design, a roof extension covers the patio.
Patio
Patios don’t attach to the home, but near it instead. The most common patios are simply a paved surface in the yard. Other popular patio choices are concrete, stone, or even bricks. Enclosing the space makes it useable year round as you won’t have to worry about rainy weather keeping you indoors.
Lanai
A lanai is a Hawaiian word for—well—porch. And, we Floridians love them! They are usually considerably larger than the average porch, patio, or verendah. It’s more like having an actual outdoor living room. Outdoor kitchen set-ups are often found in a lanai as well.
Lanais are connected to the house by an entrance and are covered by the roof of the home. They’re located at the back of the home rather than connected to the front door.
Verendah
A verendah stretches along one entire side of the home. Some, however, continue on around the corner and encompass two, three, or all four sides of the dwelling. When all four sides of the home are included, though, it’s often called a wraparound porch.
Constructed on the floor level, the roof of the home covers a verendah.
Enclosing Your Outdoor Living Space
Whatever you call your outdoor living space, it’s where your family and friends gather to enjoy each others company. Subsequently, enclosing the area will bring you added benefits so you can enjoy your time together to the fullest.
Privacy
An area secluded from view affords you a greater sense of privacy. Neighbors are great, but it’s nice to be able to be out of the public eye sometimes, too.
Some companies that provide mesh screen enclosures offer customers a customized design. They create an even greater sense of privacy and increase the aesthetic value of your outdoor living space substantially.
Bye bye bugs
Have you ever been so frustrated by the onslaught of insects that you abandoned your outdoor living space and retreat indoors? A lot of us can answer an emphatic “Yes!” to that question, huh?
Bugs, flys, and mosquitoes are a huge nusiance when your trying to enjoy time outdoors.
Rather than dousing everyone with bug spray, maybe it’s time to enclose your outside living area. Adding a mesh screen enclosure will stop insects in their tracks. Even the tiny “noseeums” won’t make it through to invade your space.
Provide UV protection
Mesh privacy screens provide you and your family with some protection from the sun.
That’s always considered a plus here in Florida!
Safe and secure
If you have young children or pets who tend to wander away from sight, having your outdoor living space enclosed provides you with the ability to keep them close by.
Catch up on some reading while they play nearby without worry that you might get distracted and let them slip away.
Living the high life
When you have an outdoor living space that provides you with a sense of privacy is going to enhance your time together—rain or shine.
You won’t have to worry about being bombarded by insects and you’ll have some shade. Moreover, if you need to run indoors for something, little ones and pets will stay put instead of taking the opportunity to make a break for it.
Ultimately, time moves pretty fast. Take every opportunity that you can to draw friends and family together. Memories of family game nights, bar-b-ques, or sitting and talking for hours will last a lifetime. Spending time with the ones we love is what life’s really all about.