Verandah vs patio: what's the difference, and what does a verandah cost?
BeforeCurved Roof PatioIn the verandah vs patio debate, the difference is mostly about position and style, not construction. A verandah is a roofed, open sided area along the front or side of a house, often part of its character. A patio is a roofed outdoor area, usually added at the back for entertaining.
Both are typically a steel or timber frame with a roof fixed to the house. So a verandah costs about the same as a patio of the same size and roof style.
Verandah vs patio at a glance
| Verandah | Patio | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual position | Front or side of the house | Back of the house |
| Main purpose | Shade walls and windows, entry, street appeal | Outdoor living and entertaining |
| Shape | Long and fairly narrow | Wider and deeper |
| Common roof styles | Skillion, bullnose curve, gable | Flat, skillion, gable, insulated |
| Look | Matches the house style and roofline | Can be more modern |
| Council | Street setbacks and streetscape often apply | Usually behind the house, fewer streetscape issues |
| Indicative price, 6 m × 4.5 m, Brisbane | Skillion style: $13,000 to $15,500 | Flat roof: $12,500 to $15,000 |
Prices are indicative installed ranges from our pricing engine, rounded and including GST. An installer's site measure and quote set the real price.
What is a verandah?
A verandah is a roofed, open air area attached to the outside of a building, often edged with a railing. It usually runs across the front and sometimes the sides.
The word came to English from the Indian subcontinent. Australian English spells it with an h, and the Macquarie Dictionary prefers "verandah".
Verandahs have been part of Australian houses since colonial times and became widespread from the 1850s. Victorian terraces often have decorative iron lacework verandahs, and Queenslanders are known for wide verandahs that can wrap around the whole house.
Why you hear "verandah" more in QLD and NSW
In Queensland and much of NSW, the verandah is part of the local building tradition. Raised timber Queenslanders, federation homes and older cottages all lean on them for shade and airflow.
So in those states, homeowners and installers often say "verandah" even for a new roof at the side or front of a modern home. In Perth and Adelaide, the same structure is more often called a patio.
The YourHome guide from the Australian Government explains why verandahs suit warm climates. Deep verandahs shade east and west walls, and in hot humid areas, shading walls and the roof all year helps keep a house cool.
How a verandah differs from a patio in practice
Size and shape
A verandah is usually long and narrow, following the wall. A patio is usually deeper, so a table, chairs and a barbecue all fit under it.
Roof style
Verandahs tend to follow the look of the house. Common choices are:
- A skillion, sloping away from the wall, for a simple modern home
- A bullnose curve, which suits federation, Victorian and Queenslander homes (our Curved Roof Patio style)
- A gable or Dutch gable, which steel makers such as Lysaght suggest for heritage and federation homes
Patios more often use a flat roof or an insulated roof, since they sit at the back where looks matter less than cover.
Street appeal and approval
A front verandah is part of how your home looks from the street. That brings extra rules.
In NSW, for example, a patio, pergola or verandah can only be exempt development if it stays behind the building line of any road frontage. A front verandah breaks that rule, so it needs approval.
Councils elsewhere have their own limits. Townsville City Council says approval is generally needed when a covered area is attached to a building. The same applies if it is over 10 m² or has a side longer than 5 m. Our council approval guide has more detail by state.
Verandah cost in 2026
Because a verandah uses the same frames and roof sheets as a patio, it is priced the same way. These are indicative installed prices for a 6 m × 4.5 m structure.
| Style | QLD | NSW | VIC | WA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skillion Patio | $13,000 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,500 | $13,000 to $15,000 | $12,000 to $14,500 |
| Curved Roof Patio (bullnose look) | $15,500 to $18,000 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $15,000 to $17,500 | $14,500 to $17,000 |
| Gable Roof Patio | $17,000 to $20,000 | $18,500 to $21,500 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $16,000 to $18,500 |
| Insulated Roof Patio | $16,000 to $19,000 | $17,000 to $20,000 | $15,500 to $18,500 | $15,000 to $17,500 |
A narrow verandah has a smaller area, so it often costs less than these figures. A 3 m × 3 m skillion in Queensland is indicatively $8,500 to $10,000.
Things that push a verandah price up:
- Matching period details, such as lacework, turned posts or a bullnose curve
- Tying into an older roof or replacing tired fascias
- Building over a deck or raised floor
- Streetscape or heritage approvals
- Removing an old verandah first
For a full breakdown, read the patio cost guide or try the patio cost calculator.
Which one should you choose?
The right choice depends on where the space is and what you will use it for.
Build a verandah if:
- Your front or side wall cops the afternoon sun and heats the house
- You have a Queenslander, federation or heritage home that suits one
- You want a sheltered entry or a spot for two chairs facing the street
- You want to add street appeal before selling
Build a patio if:
- You want to entertain, eat outside or set up an outdoor kitchen
- The space is at the back, near the kitchen or living area
- You need room for a table for six or more
- You want an insulated ceiling with fans and lights
Consider both on a corner block or a wide house. A slim verandah shades the front, and a deeper patio covers the back yard.
One tip: on a heritage or character home, match the verandah roof to the house. A bullnose or gable on a period home usually looks right, while a flat roof can look added on.
See it on your own house first
It is hard to picture a verandah or patio from a brochure. You can see one on a photo of your own house in about 30 seconds with Backyard Mate, our free tool. It also shows an indicative price for your state.
There is no account, and one local installer calls you for a free quote only if you want one.
Common questions
How much does a verandah cost in Australia?
A verandah is built much like a patio, so the price is similar. For a 6 m × 4.5 m structure in Brisbane, a Skillion Patio style is indicatively $13,000 to $15,500 and a Gable Roof Patio style $17,000 to $20,000. A site measure sets the real price.
Is a verandah the same as a porch?
They are close. A porch is usually a small covered entry at the front door, while a verandah runs along a larger part of the front or side of the house.
Do I need council approval for a front verandah?
Usually, yes. Front verandahs face the street, so they often have to meet street setback and streetscape rules, and heritage areas add more checks. Ask your council or a building certifier early.
Should a verandah be spelt veranda or verandah?
Both are correct, but Australian English uses verandah. The Macquarie Dictionary prefers the spelling with an h.
Keep reading
Sources
- Veranda | Wikipedia
- Shading | YourHome (Australian Government)
- Balconies, decks and patios: exempt development | NSW Planning Portal
- Decks and covered areas | Townsville City Council
- Patios, Pergolas & Verandahs | Lysaght
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.