What is a veranda?
A veranda is a roofed outdoor space attached to a house, open at the front and often at the sides: in effect a terrace with a roof, fixed to the building. The roof is supported by the wall of the house and, on the outside, usually by posts or columns. The word came into English from Hindi and Portuguese varanda (balustrade, balcony); in American English a similar space is often called a porch. The Dutch word is also ‘veranda’.
Veranda, conservatory, terrace or canopy?
- Terrace or patio: a paved outdoor floor, without a roof.
- Veranda: a terrace with a roof, attached to the house and open.
- Conservatory: an enclosed, mostly glazed extension. Note that in Flanders ‘veranda’ usually means a conservatory.
- Patio cover: a roof on posts over a terrace, attached or freestanding. A veranda is essentially a patio cover against the house. A canopy, by contrast, is a small projecting roof over a door or window without posts of its own.
Application
A veranda gives shelter from sun and rain and extends the outdoor season. In northern Europe the roof is often glazed or made of polycarbonate, so the room behind it does not become too dark. A solid roof gives more shade but takes daylight from the house. A floor slightly above ground level and perhaps a balustrade complete the design.
Permission
Rules differ by country. In the Netherlands a veranda counts as an ancillary structure that can be built without a permit under conditions, but only in the rear garden area, and the local environmental plan may add rules; the national Vergunningcheck on the Omgevingsloket gives a first answer. In the UK, permitted development rules and Building Regulations may apply. Wherever you are, check with your local authority first, and remember that listed buildings and conservation areas often have stricter rules.
Tips and points of attention
- Drainage: give the roof a fall and a gutter, or water will run down your wall or onto the neighbours.
- Snow and wind: choose a system for which the supplier states the loads it can carry.
- Wall connection: fixings into the house wall must be watertight and strong enough.
Related terms
- Conservatory
- Terrace
- Patio
- Pergola
- Canopy
- Permit-free building
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.