Patios Through History and Today

Patio derives from the Spanish word "patio," and means courtyard, forecourt, or yard. The modern patio is an outdoor space adjoining or partly enclosed by the house. It is usually a flat area covered by a hard surface. The patio is used for dining or recreation.

Historically the patio derives from the Roman atrium. The atrium in ancient Rome was an open central court containing the impluvium, a pool for collecting rain water. The atrium evolved to become the Italian cortile. The cortile was an enclosed inner courtyard typically roofless, surrounded by an arcade, and inside of or attached to a building. The cortile typically was found inside large dwelling houses or other large distinguished buildings.

From Italy the patio evolved into the Moorish and Spanish patio. Moorish patios are known for their enhanced privacy. A Moorish patio is typically an inner courtyard with a beautiful tiled surface, and might contain a central pool suitable for bathing. 

The patio was also a major feature in Spanish architecture. Perhaps derived from the Moorish tradition, the Spanish patio was open to the sky, and had a greater amount of seclusion. Due to the hot climate in Spain, patio arcades took on greater importance as places of shelter from the heat and were richly ornamented. By the era of the Spanish renaissance, the patio had become a standard element of residential architecture. It was exported from Spain to Latin America, where it became a standard part of large ecclesiastic structures as well as larger secular and domestic buildings. 

Unlike the Spanish patio, the contemporary American patio is typically a small paved outdoor area that adjoins or is partially surrounded by the home and often partially sheltered. Patios are typically found in the backyard of modern houses and well suited for sitting and relaxing. They often sit between the residence and the garden. 

Modern patios are often constructed from paving slabs, referred to as paving flags Patios may also be constructed with bricks, block paving, tile, concrete, natural paving stones, or cobblestone.

Synonyms for patio include terrace, veranda, sundeck, deck, close, courtyard, enclosure (also inclosure), court, quad, quadrangle, yard. Related words include atrium, galleria, parvis (also parvise), peristyle; forecourt, place, plaza, square; deck, terrace and curtilage.

Reference: The Turf Barbers is a Yorktown Heights, NY landscaping firm that specializes in masonry work including outdoor patio construction ; 2929 Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; Call 914 302 2469  or visit our website at http://www.theturfbarbers.com