There are a lot of terms that we have to describe various kinds of exterior domestic spaces. As "outdoor living" is becoming increasing popular in Colorado if not around the county, I find that my clients are often using different terms for same space. Is that place where the picnic table is going to go the terrace or the patio? Is it a deck or a balcony? So, with some images of projects I have designed, here goes:

patio

patio: attached or detached, hard-paved, ON THE GROUND and of the earth

TERRACE

terrace: attached or detached, hard-paved, most importantly, it is ON TH GROUND, BUT RAISED and still not yet a deck.

veranda

veranda: attached to the house, a roofed porch

porch

porch: attached to the house, covered or open, can be enclosed

To be frank I am not really sure what is the difference between a porch and a veranda. Maybe porch implies entry in a way a veranda does not. A veranda sounds more expensive.

balcony

balcony: attached to the house, covered or open (a juliette balcony is just the door opening with no standing space projecting outward)

deck

deck: attached or detached, wood construction and ELEVATED above the site

THE OTHERS

there are lots of other terms out there to describe outdoor space. Many of them mean the same as something above but have their origins in another language (loggia, portal, peristyle, lanai)