Veranda vs. Porch: What’s the Difference?

Veranda (also called verandah) and porch are terms used to describe outdoor areas attached to a home. Both are covered, and located on the ground level, and both can be used as a space to enjoy the outdoors. But there are some subtle differences between a veranda and a porch.

Read on to learn the similarities and differences between a veranda vs. porch so you can choose the right outdoor feature for your home. 

Veranda vs. Porch: What's the Difference?

All verandas are porches, but not all porches are verandas. Here are some structural and usage distinctions between the two architectural elements:

Typically, a veranda refers to a porch that occupies more than one side or section of a home and is used as an outdoor living space. There are subtle nuances in their structure, namely that a veranda always has a roof and is always open to the outside, while a porch usually has a roof but may be enclosed. While the two terms do not explicitly refer to their aesthetic differences, a veranda is often thought of as a grand feature, while a porch could be a simple structure.

In terms of their use, a porch is often an extension of a front or back door rather than an independent living area. Think of a front porch, large or small, that occupies the front of a home and how that differs from a veranda that is off the side of a home, designed exclusively for outdoor living, not as a functional passthrough or entryway. The porch is a transition space while the veranda is an extension of the living area.

What Is a Veranda?

A veranda is a type of open-air porch that wraps around more than one side of a building. It may or may not be enclosed by a railing but it always has a roof. Verandas are deep structures built to accommodate full seating or outdoor dining furniture.

Verandas became popular during the picturesque period when landscapes became the prime focus of Gothic revival homes. Verandas are frequent architectural elements in 19th-century Victorian homes and sprawling houses in the southern part of the United States.

What Is a Porch?

A porch is generally defined as a covered structure of any size that serves as the transition space that connects the outdoors and the main front or back entryway of a home. A porch usually has a roof, railings, and columns for support. A porch can also be screened or semi-enclosed, such as a lanai.