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The Great Debate: Decks Versus Patios

5/6/2019

11 Comments

 
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If you have been thinking about adding or updating an outdoor living space, you've likely boiled it down to the two most common options: decks or patios. Both certainly have their pros and cons, so it's really going to come down to which will best suit your needs and budget. Regardless of which you choose, taking the time to get a pen and paper to list your wants is the first step toward being able start enjoying your outdoor space to the fullest.

Decks and patios are both fantastic additions that can offer some great times and even value to your home.

So what are the real differences between decks and patios?

Intro to Patios
For starters, patios are outdoor spaces that are built at ground level. As such, they can be connected directly to your home or set up in a different part of the yard you think would be an ideal location.

You'll often find patios with concrete bases, but that isn't something that has to be set in stone (pun intended). Many homeowners opt for other materials, including brick, pavers, stone, tile, or other materials for setting a foundation.

Because they are built at ground level, in most cases, patios do not have rails. They will, however, often sport sitting areas, fire pits, and built-in barbecues.

Intro to Decks
Whereas patios often employ stone or brick, decks are usually constructed from wood or some sort of wood-like composite material. They also differ from patios in that the aren't built at ground level, but rather raised and build on a support system.


Decks are usually built at the first-floor level of a home and are accessed by a door from the living room or kitchen, for example. On occasion, though, you'll find them off a second-floor room, typically a bedroom. Because they are elevated, decks are far more likely to have some sort of railing than patios.

Making a Choice
For starters, close your eyes and imagine yourself enjoying your new outdoor space. Take note of what comes to mind.

On popular option is to use that space for outdoor dining. If you envisioned a built in grill, you would be better off with a patio. If a portable grill works just fine for you, than a deck would work well, too.

Are you looking to acquire more space? If so, you might want to consider an elevated deck, which could also offer storage space underneath.

Do you see yourself sitting around a fire pit? This one definitely lends itself toward a patio, as trying to have a fire on a wood deck is a hazard waiting to happen. Seriously, you shouldn't try it.

The Lay of the Land
In some case, the way your house is built or the way the land is shaped will all but make your decision for you. For instance, if your back exit door opens directly into the backyard, that might be too low for a deck, because it needs to have framing and supports. If that's the case, you are likely looking for a new patio.


If you don't have a large enough level surface in your yard or maybe your yard has a significant slope, you are likely looking at a deck. Another consideration is tree roots. If you have a lot of them and don't want to remove them and cause damage to trees, deck that you can build over the roots would probably a better fit for you.

Then There's Maintenance
If you build a wood deck, you'll need some annual maintenance to keep it looking good for years to come. We are talking about things like power washing and sealing. If you opt for composite materials over wood, you'll still need to break out the power washer from time to time.

In general, patios need less maintenance. Occasionally, weeds can creep up through bricks or pavers. Sometimes, cracks will need to refilled with sand.

Then There's Cost
The general consensus is that decks cost more to build than patios. According to numbers from the National Association of Realtors, you can look at a deck running you about $33 per square foot. On the other hand, you could get patio cost down to about $15 square foot, depending upon your needs.

These are general number, though. Considerations, such as size, materials, added features, and the engineering needed to make it all work can have an influence over the costs for patios and decks alike. If you want a basic concrete patio, that is going to cost less than a wood deck. If you start adding in pavers or flagstone, the costs can start to get closer to a wood deck.

If you are looking at going with a composite material for your deck, you can double the price of materials right off the bat. On top of that, composite will almost always require more framing, which brings additional costs, as well.

In Conclusion
In the end, the decision to go with a deck or a patio is actually the culmination of many smaller decision. Since your ultimate choice is supposed to be enjoyable for years to come, pay careful attention to the things that you are willing to sacrifice and/or splurge on and remember that those decisions will stay with you for the life of your space.

To get the most out of your landscaping, E.P.M. Lawnscape and Supply offers professional landscaping services in the Jackson, MI area. Feel free to contact us online or call us today at (517) 990-0110.

11 Comments
Thomas Jameson link
7/31/2019 07:07:16 am

It's good to know that patios need less maintenance than decks. My wife and I need a space to entertain guests for barbecues. We don't want to do a lot of maintenance for it, so we'll be sure to look further into our options for getting a patio installed.

Reply
CPR Outdoor Centre link
12/9/2019 06:15:31 am

Excellent explanation, it’s simple & focus. Keep up the great work!


Reply
Patio Building Seattle Northwest link
2/1/2020 12:25:24 am

What an amazing transformation!! I am a huge fan of patios vs decks. It's good to know that patios need less maintenance than decks.Thanks for share such kind of informative post.

Reply
CPR Outdoor Centre link
9/17/2020 09:00:03 pm

Your simplicity of presentation is motivating for learning. Please keep it up for your teeming followers.


Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
2/10/2021 08:07:28 pm

My cousin is thinking of adding an outdoor space for his home next year. It's great to learn that you can use composite wood on a deck, and it works as an outdoor dining space provided that you have a grill. I should share this with him so he'd consider installing one of these on his home.

Reply
Robert T. Ball link
3/15/2021 10:20:51 pm

I truly like how you said that you can get innovative with the great debate: decks versus patios. I'm going to bookmark your site page and keep up checking for new subtleties. A debt of gratitude is in order for this great article.

Reply
Barry S. Parker link
7/13/2021 12:42:44 am

Thanks for sharing such a detailed article about shipping pallets keep up the good work!

Reply
Mia Evans link
8/25/2021 05:45:31 pm

Thanks for pointing out that choosing a basic concrete patio would cost less than a wooden deck. I will suggest this to my husband since we are on a limited budget. We just want to have an area in the backyard that we can relax on which we are not able to do for now because it can get muddy there due to the climate in our area.

Reply
John Carston link
11/9/2021 04:32:46 pm

I like how you mentioned that patio can be set up in a different part of the yard or can be connected directly to your home. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he is planning to have a paver patio for my cousins to enjoy the summer with safety and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that he can consult a trusted paver patio contractor company as they can answer all his inquiries.

Reply
Eve Mitchell link
11/16/2021 02:29:52 pm

Thanks for the heads up that wooden decks need more maintenance. I'm hoping to get a portable patio for my yard. I'm not sure if they offer metal or something else though.

Reply
Aussie Concreters of Seaford link
1/28/2022 07:11:48 am

For instance, if your back exit door opens directly into the backyard, that might be too low for a deck, because it needs to have framing and supports. Thank you, amazing post!

Reply



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