Deck or Porch ?
We know, we know– decking is in the name. But our skills extend far beyond backyards– porches are another one of our favorite home improvement projects. Read on for the pros and cons of both, a deck or porch, as we determine which are better: decks or porches!
Round 1: Home Value
Both a deck or porch are a great ways to get more use out of your square footage while increasing the value of your home. Whether you’re planning to put your house on the market or not, projects like these are always a good investment. But between the two, the real determining factor is curb appeal. With a wide array of materials, aesthetics, and styles, there’s a porch or deck for every type of home– but which will potential buyers find more appealing? A porch will probably be more visible to passersby than a deck, but decks often tend to be larger in size than their front yard counterparts. In terms of curb appeal, it depends on what demographic you’re selling to– will they appreciate a backyard getaway or an escape from the bugs on the front stoop?
Round 2: The Elements
Some decks have built-in awnings, and collapsible canopies are always an option, but porches are rarely without a roof– so they win this round! Porches, especially when screened- or glassed-in, far and away provide the most protection from the elements. Want to enjoy the summer breeze without getting attacked by what seems like a million mosquitos? The porch is your best bet! Rain or shine, you can count on a roof over your head while you enjoy views of the great outdoors.
Round 3: Location, Location, Location
Like we said before, the location factor mainly depends on what you as a homeowner prefer– not to mention how your house is situated. Maybe you like to watch the sunset and your house faces the west– a front yard porch would be the likelier option. But all in all, a backyard deck provides more privacy and usually nicer views. Your front door almost certainly faces the road, and there is often more space for landscaping in backyards than vice versa. So for this round, decks win!
Round 4: Versatility
With versatility, there are two sides to the coin. When we’re talking about styles and designs, both porches and decks carry a vast variety of attractive and affordable options. From the classic appeal of natural wood to composite decking, there are plenty of options to choose from. But what about once you’ve built your porch or deck? Versatility comes to mean what you can use that beautiful new space for. And in terms of wide open spaces for congregating or just relaxing, we gotta put decks at the head of the race. But if it rains on the big day, a porch suddenly looks a lot more appealing– some outdoor space with cover is better than a lot with no cover at all! Once again, we’re going to have to call a draw on this one.
Final Results
Alas, this competition has come to a close without a clear frontrunner. Sure, decks have more room and porches have more protection from the weather, but both bring many of the same benefits like curb appeal and home value. In truth, the choice really depends on you– what your household and home would best benefit from. With that in mind, our awesome team at Excel warmly welcomes you to contact us for a free estimate. We promise to make the process clear and not just work for you but with you every step of the way to ensure you’re getting the home improvement project of your dreams.
We offer our fellow Marylanders the best in customer service alongside unbeatable prices and top-quality construction materials for a deck or porch and everything in between. Contact us today through our quick online form or give us a call at 410-803-9499. Sit back and let the journey with Excel Fencing and Decking begin!