3 comments / Posted on by Christopher szabo

When we started writing this article, we had to ask ourselves, "What is a terrace?...It's just a patio, right?". The answer is yes and no. To keep your mind clear of the confusing jargon and get right down to the answers, we've put together this simple blog that lays out the differences in three parts: size, location, & construction. But before we get into the key differences, let's take a look at the basics of what is a patio & what is a terrace.

differences between a terrace and a balcony


So, What is a Terrace & What is a balcony

Terrace: ter·race / ˈterəs/ (noun) - a level paved area or platform next to a building; a patio or veranda.

Balcony:  bal·co·ny /ˈbalkənē/ (noun) - a platform enclosed by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door.

what is a terrace

Terrace comes from the latin word "terra", which means "earth". As you may have guessed, a terrace is something that's located on the ground and attached to a house or building. The words terrace and patio are interchangeable, but there are some differences, which we will discuss in further detail below.

what is a balcony

As far as a balcony, this comes from the old Italian "balcone", which emphasizes the romanticism that surrounds this word. Perhaps the most famous balcony you can remember is from Romeo & Juliet and accurately describes the essence of a balcony: it's raised and attached to a building. Now that we have some basic definitions, let's look at the key differences between a terrace & balcony.

3 Main Differences between a Balcony & a Terrace

location of a terrace

As you may have guessed, the location differences are pretty easy to spot; a terrace is on the ground and a balcony is raised and attached to a room. This gives way to the idea of a terrace being a party place and a balcony being a romantic place. Although some terraces may be located on a rooftop, they are typically located on a ground level and are wide-open areas.

size of a terrace vs a balcony

Now a terrace is typically a larger space to host a larger guest list. In more urban areas, terraces are even used as outdoor garden spaces. A balcony, on the other hand, is much smaller to fit a smaller party. Both can fit patio furniture on them, but you would typically buy larger sets for filling up a terrace than you would a balcony.

construction of a terrace vs a balcony

A terrace, by definition, is its own structure. It can stand alone and is typically detached from the building. A balcony, however, is attached to a building. It usually has one main entrance to a room, wheras a terrace can have multiple entrances. The construction material doesn't matter; it's more how it is constructed that matters. 

And there you have it. You now know the differences between a balcony and a terrace. So the next time you're at a patio hangout with someone, you can ask them if they're standing on a terrace or a balcony and know the answer right away.


  • Posted on by Dennis

    I really Love the explanation of the terrace and balcony

  • Posted on by Dennis

    I really Love the explanation

  • Posted on by Jaimie Frank

    Wicker is a slim grass like bush that is woven to make furniture……

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