Deck or patio??
- Thread starter cyadict
- Start date
I would go with a patio. I think a nice deck is more aesthetically pleasing, a patio seems like it would:
1) be cheaper to construct
2) last longer
3) be less maintenance (easier to clean, etc.)
4) be able to be expanded much more easily
5) accomodate high heat gadgets (fire pits, etc)
Another thing to keep in mind, a deck adds to the square footage of your house for property taxes (if it's attached), patio doesn't. That's how it is in M'town anyway.
A nice, well-maintained deck looks nicer. There's few things more unattractive about a house than a really crappy deck hanging off the back. Patios can incorporate planters, fountains, built-in BBQs, etc. which can make them really nice.
Decks require permits unless it isn't secured to the house. If you are in Waukee the idiotic code they have force you to build a deck you could park a tractor on. Pure stupidity.
Patio's require no permits and require no staining, sealing and also can't provide homes for rabbits that eat all your wife's plants and garden (if you have one).
Patio's require no permits and require no staining, sealing and also can't provide homes for rabbits that eat all your wife's plants and garden (if you have one).
Pros of Stamped stained concrete:
Looks Awesome
virtiually zero maintenance
Cons:
Expensive- I had this quoted to me at around $9/sq foot of patio with the materials and labor included as well as the forming of the patio and the removal of the dirt etc. we were wanting a large patio AND a deck so this was too much for me.
Acid Stained concrete and all concrete will most certianly crack at some point in its lifetime. Cutting helps reduce the spread but if the cracks are large then you may be able to see the portion that is not stained uless you go with full coloring (added expense most times)
Depending on the location concrete can be tough to get to your patio area. if you have houses on both sides and cant get a truck right there then added cost of moving the concrete from the street to the location of the patio.
Pros of the deck-
Looks Awesome if it is done right.
Cheaper than concrete
Depending on location can be easier to get lumbermaterials to the area than concrete.
Not much in the way of maintenance other than maybe washing every once in a while
Nothing beats a saying that you have a nice big DECK :biggrin:
Cons-
Composite decking is pricey
I dont think that the composites look as good as wood decking but the trade off of maintenance almost outweighs this
I just finished a deck and patio project. Patio was about 700 square feet with a "bump out" circle for a firepit area. We went with just normal concrete, no colors or stamps. Doesnt look as good but more cost effective. We also went with pressure treated lumber for our deck but the money we save on the crete went into a nice sized 16X16 deck with the iron spindles gives it a nice finish versus just treated wood spindles. We will not live in this house for ever so I thought it would be better to go with treated vs composite for cost reasons and since I didnt have to deal with it for a longer period. I also really like the area under the deck (we have a look out basement so our deck is ~ 6 ft off the ground) for storage of some yard and garden tools so we poured concrete here as well. We will likely finish with some privacy lattice to hide the storage area.
Sorry for the long response but I thought I would share my experience.
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Well since I have both, each has pros/cons. The stamped patio is NOT maintenance free. First since it has grooves, they fill with dirt and it can be a ***** cleaning that out. Second, you need to seal the patio every year to help protect the color. I did it myself, but otherwise it is not cheaper than a wood deck, composite maybe. Same goes for a deck, maintenance with that also. I think the deck is a better option. Eventually the patio will crack.
Not cheaper if talking stamped and stained concrete, that is very expensive. Depends on size also. I have had both. We loved our large deck, and had a small patio block area for the fire pit and grill off the steps, the wife and I put it in over a weekend, so you always have that option.
Biggest reason I like the patio is because it is easy to mow around, you don't have to landscape around it like we did with the deck. Plus don't have to worry much about rot or replacing boards, etc with the patio.
Good luck, Patio is much less maintenence.
Just built a 550 sq ft patio, materials from Menards, great sales. We did the .39 cent pavers that are on sale right now (tan & sienna), my total cost for all materials (edging, sand, rock, pavers, stakes) was roughly $2500 and labor & machines of $2,000.
I'm a walkout with the deck above, we thought about a deck below and I'm so glad we did the patio b/c it is awesome! Do the patio.
Plus momma is happy that is all that matters right...But this is Mothers Day, Father's Day, Brthday and Christmas all in one.
I'm a walkout with the deck above, we thought about a deck below and I'm so glad we did the patio b/c it is awesome! Do the patio.
Plus momma is happy that is all that matters right...But this is Mothers Day, Father's Day, Brthday and Christmas all in one.
I have a composite deck. Worth every penny. Looks as nice 5 years later as it did the day it was installed. The only maintenance I do is go out every month or so and toss some dish soap on it, sprinkle some water on, and scrub out all the popsicle and icecream stains. Cleans up in minutes.
Just built a 550 sq ft patio, materials from Menards, great sales. We did the .39 cent pavers that are on sale right now (tan & sienna), my total cost for all materials (edging, sand, rock, pavers, stakes) was roughly $2500 and labor & machines of $2,000.
I'm a walkout with the deck above, we thought about a deck below and I'm so glad we did the patio b/c it is awesome! Do the patio.
Plus momma is happy that is all that matters right...But this is Mothers Day, Father's Day, Brthday and Christmas all in one.
agree patio is the way to go. stamped and stained concrete is awesome and I feel adds a little value to your home. We have a deck now...gonna take out the railing on one side, build two steps down and pour a concrete patio.
I have a 16' x 14' redwood deck and 30' x 20' patio made from pavers on the backside of the house. We never use the deck and it is a pain to maintain and the patio has a fire pit, a fountain and a trelis along one side with fowering vines growing on it.
The pavers look nicer than concrete.
No such thing as Zero Maintenance
See above
This is a great thing to do for composite decking will make it very easzy to maintain. Most people don't do these simple things while it is still clean to maintain it. Composite material is hard to clean once it gets really dirty. And is acutally more expensive to clean if neglected than wood would be.
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I like that a deck can be built so that you do not have to go down/up steps to go in or out. This can be an asset with small kids as well as when you have your hands full with a platter of animal flesh and your favorite beverage. I assume if steps down were not at all necessary for the patio, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
I also think that in particularly hot weather deck boards can be cooler on bare feet than concrete in direct sunlight. In addition a well maintained deck surface can be less abrasive on the soles of those bare feet than even slightly textured concrete. If you don't texture the concrete at all be wary in wet or wintry weather. (Yes, I use my deck in the winter, too.) However, snow is much easier to remove from a paved surface like a patio.
I also think that in particularly hot weather deck boards can be cooler on bare feet than concrete in direct sunlight. In addition a well maintained deck surface can be less abrasive on the soles of those bare feet than even slightly textured concrete. If you don't texture the concrete at all be wary in wet or wintry weather. (Yes, I use my deck in the winter, too.) However, snow is much easier to remove from a paved surface like a patio.