If it's entirely flat on the ground, it's a "patio."
If one edge is against the house, and another edge is above the ground and held up by cantilevers or diagonal supports or posts, it's a "balcony" if it's small and way above the ground, or a "deck" if it's big and not very far up. (If there are steps from the ground to the edge away from the house, that points towards "deck.") Wooden flooring is more likely to go on decks than on patios or porches.
If one edge is against the house, and another edge is above the ground and held up by solid brickwork or concrete, it's a "porch."
Of course, a lot of people SAY, "Let's sit on the porch" if they grew up sitting on the porch behind their parents' house. Even if they currently live in a house with a patio or deck. Just like they say "I left my umbrella in my car," when they drive an SUV.
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If one edge is against the house, and another edge is above the ground and held up by cantilevers or diagonal supports or posts, it's a "balcony" if it's small and way above the ground, or a "deck" if it's big and not very far up. (If there are steps from the ground to the edge away from the house, that points towards "deck.") Wooden flooring is more likely to go on decks than on patios or porches.
If one edge is against the house, and another edge is above the ground and held up by solid brickwork or concrete, it's a "porch."
Of course, a lot of people SAY, "Let's sit on the porch" if they grew up sitting on the porch behind their parents' house. Even if they currently live in a house with a patio or deck. Just like they say "I left my umbrella in my car," when they drive an SUV.