A porch is a raised platform attached to the side of a house or building.
Inside a house or building, a terrace and a balcony are used for similar purposes. Both provide a means of adding additional usable space outside of the property. Although a terrace and a balcony may seem similar in this regard, there are significant differences between them. The main differences include their size, location relative to the building, and how they are built.
Terraces are large open spaces that can be used for many different purposes, such as entertaining areas.
Both balconies and terraces can be used as a common area for the inhabitants of a building. They are also added to the houses as an additional private area that connects the interior with the exterior. The first, and often the most obvious, difference between a terrace and a balcony is size. In most cases, a terrace is significantly larger than a balcony. Due to the difference in size, this may also affect the use of the terrace and balcony.
Another difference between terrace and balcony is the location in relation to the building to which they are inserted. The word “terrace” is derived from the Latin word for land. As such, the term was used for a structure built on the ground, usually of rock, tile, or wood. In more modern times, the term is also used for open or common areas found on the roofs of buildings. In many places, the term patio is also used as a synonym for terrace.
In most cases, porches are raised platforms that are attached to the side of a house or building. The term “balcony” derives from the Italian word for large window, as many balconies were originally accessed through windows. Balconies are usually significantly smaller than terraces, although this is not always the case. They are often included in a house or apartment as a way to increase living space outside of the actual building.
Due to size and location, another difference between a terrace and a balcony is in the way it is built. Terraces do not need to have a building next to them. They can be free-standing structures built directly on the ground. They are usually large open spaces, which allow their use for the most diverse purposes, from sporting events to leisure areas. Swimming pools can be added to a terrace to provide more entertainment.
By comparison, a balcony is attached directly to the side of a building. Because they are raised off the ground, they are usually surrounded by some kind of wall or grid. They may or may not be covered, depending on the location of the building. Balconies are always accessed through the lounge or bedrooms with which they are associated, while a terrace can have its own separate access point.
