A well-designed patio or deck can add value to any home as it extends a home’s living area and beautifully anchors the landscape. Either is a great space for conversation, dining, playing and relaxing, but how do you know which one is right for you and your home?
Pros and Cons of a Patio
A patio is basically a paved area that sits flush with the ground.
One of the pros of having a patio is an almost unlimited range of sizes, shapes, materials and locations to consider. Rectangular or square patios are common, while rounded corners and freeform edges can give your patio a distinctive look.
Concrete is versatile, natural stones provide a more organic feel, brick is a classic choice, while terracotta or ceramic tiles are popular in warmer climates.
When it comes to privacy, a patio’s low profile lets you enjoy your outdoor space without feeling like you’re on display. It’s also relatively easy to add fences, walls or screens of varying heights to define the space.
You can easily add amenities to a patio, such as a fire pit, pond or outdoor kitchen. You don’t have to worry about additional support for heavier features.
One of the cons of a patio is it’s not suited for uneven surfaces. Patios need to be built on level ground or where there’s a minimal slope. You’ll need more prep time if your property is sloped.
Additionally, a solid patio will prevent water from draining into the ground. You’ll need to direct water away from the patio and into the ground, which may include installing drainage pipes.
Patios have a long lifespan and maintenance is fairly low. At most, you may need to do some weed control if your patio has gaps between pavers or replace or repair damaged areas every so often.
Pros and Cons of a Deck
A deck is an open outdoor structure, often made of wood, that’s set above the ground. Decks often are attached to a home.
A deck’s design, layout and finishes can be chosen to work well with nearly any home style. It also works well for sloped properties. A higher deck set on posts may even extend over a steeper slope.
Fantastic views are often associated with decks and for a good reason. If your property overlooks a natural landscape or a bustling city, your deck so you can take advantage of the vista. However, this may also mean less privacy, but this can be solved by adding a pergola, an arbour, screens or curtains.
A deck has limitations when it comes to materials. The majority of decks are made of wood or a combination of wood and wood composite. Wood has a natural beauty that’s hard to ignore, but it requires more maintenance and is not as long-lasting as wood composites.
To retain the beauty and structure of your deck, regular maintenance is required. Without regular maintenance and sealing, a wood deck can start to deteriorate in as few as five years.
You can add amenities like fireplaces, fire pits, spas and outdoor kitchens to a wood deck, but you’ll need to plan for both the added weight and structural cost.
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