veranda

A veranda is a roofed open platform along the side of a house. Half indoors, half out, and the best place to sit in the evening.

It is a feature of hot and wet climates, since it gives shade and keeps rain off while letting the air through. The word came into English from India, via Portuguese, during the colonial period. American English usually says porch for the front version, and Australia says veranda everywhere. It is sometimes spelled verandah with an h, and both are accepted.