Summer Space: Patios, Porches, and More

Apr 21, 2026 | Construction Basics | 0 comments

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With the summertime on the way, the outdoor weather in Central Pennsylvania is warming up. Besides the warm weather, there’s also more bugs, a great amount of sun, and a greater need for shade. Spend your time in the summer heat in style by checking out these options for summer spaces that could benefit your home. Make your summer picnic dreams come to life with a patio, porch, or more. This blog contains information about a variety of porches, patios, and other outdoor spaces that add to your potential summer experience.

Patios

This intentionally constructed space is oftentimes used for gathering underneath the open sky, with most patios being separate from the porch of the home. Often, patios and porches can work together to make your house a home, with patios stretching out from under the porch and creating an extra amount of living space. Patios can be personalized with outdoor decorations, furniture, plants, and more. If you’re interested in finding some inspiration for patios, check out Homenish’s article

A picture from Canva of a patio under a blue sky. There is a big hedge to the left and outdoor furniture to the right.

Brick

Just as it sounds, the main material used within this patio is brick. This type of brick is typically thinner and more durable, distinguishing it from the kind normally used in construction. Brick is one of the cheapest options, with a range of colors and easy maintenance that can elevate any home. One caveat: you will definitely want to ensure proper drainage for this specific material to keep it from wearing away, growing moldy, or other undesirable traits.

Composite Decking

This style of patio is not flush to the ground unlike the other options. Composite decking is often seen in decks but can make an easily accessible patio for your home. Composite combines the benefits of advanced materials and the elegant look of wood. It acts as a good in between, with tons of styles and materials to choose from. Additionally, there is a lower maintenance cost regarding time and money, since you won’t have to worry about drainage or other common issues. Their long lifespans make it an investment to your property.

Concrete

A classic, seemingly immobile material for a patio. There are a wide range of options for colorings and finishings to create a combination unique for your home. Just be aware of the sun, as over time it is likely any special colors may fade with age and wear. This material is also one of the cheaper options, allowing you to customize your home with relative ease without breaking the bank.

Flagstone

This material easily makes your space elegant, as the irregular pieces of the stone give a magnificent feel to the area it’s placed in. Although flagstone is more costly than brick and concrete, this material gives a one in a million design since every shape is unique. Different stones have different textures, thicknesses, and other details that can give your area a refreshing twist. One thing to keep in mind while planning your flagstone project: be careful of the textures and thicknesses for accessibility reasons, as some find it difficult to tread on.

Gravel

Most likely the cheapest option you can find for your project, this patio type is a common choice. This option requires relatively little upkeep, although the gravel should be tidied every three years to maintain its optimal appearance. To keep your furniture from sinking into the gravel, it’s best to use stabilizers to ensure your furniture stays afloat. This option is the safest and easiest to DIY. Due to the natural drainage of the material, it stops erosion in your space easily while never flooding. As a fun extra, this material can also be used to create walkways and garden areas seamlessly meshing with your patio.

A Canva picture of an outdoor seating area on a patio. There seems to be a porch overhead, but it's cut off. There are two chairs and a table in the lower center, leaning to the right.

Porches

Covering the threshold of a home, porches usually enclose the space above an entrance with certain styles covering the spaces around it. Porches can have columns, railings, or other structural/functional aspects to hold your home up. Typically porches and patios act together, as seen with the Detached porch style. Decorating your porch can be easy through windchimes, hanging baskets, and other items that make your area cozy. Look for more information on personalizing your porch in this article from Real Estate Spice.

Detached

As the name suggests, this porch is not connected to the home! It usually floats close to the back door or in an area completely removed, giving an elegant feel of privacy and exclusivity. The detached style is best for someone who wants a hidden getaway without getting so far away from modern conveniences. Typically the same kind of structuring as a regular porch that is connected, with additional supports since it isn’t relying on the original house’s stability. Costs for this structure tend to be higher among options, due to the independent nature of the project. Additionally, it’s important to remember zoning lines in mind for this build, as some properties are unable to place a detached porch due to borough regulations of their area.

Farmer’s

This traditional porch style has a covered space that typically faces the street in a welcoming manner, drawing the attention to the front door. These types of porches also tend to be built on top of a deck like space if not a patio, with the wood tending to match. Frequently this style is seen with stylized support beams, railings, and banisters. This is often associated with American architecture from the 19th and 20th century, as porches were utilized as the main social space for entertaining just outside of the home. For more information about Farmer Porches, check out DecoFond’s article.

Open

There are plenty of porch names that sound self-explanatory- this one offers the freedom to manipulate the space to your preference. Oftentimes open porches have easy access to the outside world, with trending styles including gardens flanking the edges or having other decorations blending between the open and structured nature of the porch. This option has less privacy but is a rather popular choice for a home. This kind of porch is perfect for a hot day with light wind and a cup of your chosen drink in hand.

Portico

This type of porch has a very distinct look to it, making it recognizable despite the numerous ways to customize the style. This type tends to be taller than wide, specifically curling around the front entrance of a home. It can be as grand or as modest as a person would want, though this space often doesn’t act as a living space outside the home due to the narrow width. That said, certain designs create a fancy porch for one.

Wrap Around/Veranda

Think of Anne of Green Gables when you hear wrap around porches, as this style is seen often within farms. Wrap around porches usually encompass a specific area around the home, whether it's the front, the front and a side, or around three sides of the home. These tend to be completely covered deck or patio spaces that act as an extension of the home. Wrap around porches are more expensive due to the sheer amount of space they tend to add onto a home but bring high resale value.

A Canva picture of a wraparound porch with a beautiful hardwood deck. There are black railings and supports.

Outdoor Structures

Whether a patio or porch isn’t for you, there are alternative projects to enjoy your time and space outdoors. There are tons of options for outdoor projects, including but not limited to the ones listed below. Never be afraid to seek guidance to design your dream project and research all your options beforehand. From shade to special purposes, these structures are bound to improve your summer experience.

Firepit

This option is amazing for summer nights that get too chilly and for the winter as well when you’re looking to be cozy. But in the summer, there’s no better place for s’mores. Having a permanent fireplace built into your backyard can greatly increase the value of your home as well as boost the amount of fun you can have during the summer. Worry not about starting a fire or anything like that with a structure that provides a fun peace of mind while you enjoy tasty treats.

Greenhouse

Just because the summer tends to be hot does not mean it will be all year- plus there are pests (including the cute cuddly ones like bunnies and deer) that will eat at your plants. A greenhouse is a great way to protect your plants while also ensuring the longevity of your greenthumb. Great for all seasons but when summer rolls around it provides you a safe place to tend to your flowering flora. Additionally, the cost to heat it is basically nonexistent during the summer heat and can be a wonderful place to sit with a book bathing in the sun.

Pavilion

Although running around in the sun is an important part of the season, staying cool is another need. Having your own pavilion to relax in when the sun glares too hot can feel life saving against the sweltering summer. This kind of space is also immaculate for parties and other celebrations, as it gives a satisfying shade while living it up. With the railings and seating that tend to be associated with pavilions, this is also a good place to take a long rest after a walk. Look at Houzz’s 10 Outdoor Pavilions for Savoring Summer for more ideas.

Shed

If a pavilion is too much open space for you but you are still seeking shade, a shed might be a good option for you. This kind of outdoor structure can be utilized in all seasons but when it’s hot it can act as a little home away from home or a getaway if you set up the space right. Whether you would want a man cave or a she-shed, this summer project gives you your own space and shade without sacrificing your privacy. Additionally, many things can be stored in a shed longer than any open air structure due to the nature of the designs.

Disconnected Veranda

Although some people think that a veranda is just a really cool porch, they’d be wrong- it’s not just a fancy porch. It’s also a subsection similar to the detached porch, it’s a space meant to elevate outdoor time and space. They act as a bridge between the interior and exterior of a house, giving wonderful shade and protection from elements without having stifling walls. There are many different varieties of verandas, with most styles taking inspiration from an open style porch and a detached porch.

An image of a greenhouse from Canva. It's a lush photo with pretty patio furniture scattered among what seems to be paved or tiled ground.

Conclusion

No matter what you are doing this summer, remember to stay safe in the blistering sun. Staying protected in shade or frequently applying sunscreen are the best ways to save your skin from the intense UV. Just imagine the amount of fun you could have with all these options to keep you cool while you mingle with friends and family. Whether you’re picturing a get together with your kids around the firepit, a quiet conversation in a detached patio, or if you’re seeking a spot to sunbathe in, we hope you find a way to enjoy this summer season. Thank you so much for reading! For more construction blogs, check out the last blog Pardon Our Dust: What Materials Linger in Your Home or look through the blog page.

Resources

BiiLT Contracting Group is a construction and remodeling company that focuses on being a standard of excellence in the field. Our team serves our customers with integrity and invests in the people with our organization. We began blogging to give the average customer more information about the industry so they can begin construction projects everywhere with peace of mind. Stay posted for more content, coming soon!

All images sourced from Canva or BiiLT.