The patio is a beloved part of the home. It’s not just for eating and lounging, it can also be used as an outdoor room to entertain guests or have barbecue parties. To help you decide which type of area in your garden suits its purpose best, here are some facts about porches and patios that might help you make up your mind.
The “what adds more value to a home a deck or patio” is a question that many homeowners ask themselves. The answer is not always easy to find, but this article will help you decide which one is best for your needs.
Though both decks and patios are excellent choices, deciding between them may be difficult, which is where our guide comes in! We’ll go through the pros and cons of both decks and patios so you can decide which is best for you.
Let’s get started without further ado!
Contents
Differences Between a Deck and a Patio
For those who don’t know the difference between a deck and a patio, let’s start with an explanation of both constructions. This should also assist you in forming a mental picture of the two constructions before moving on to the comparative features.
A deck is a kind of outdoor platform that is meant to extend from the home to the outdoors. The surface is usually level and composed of a material that can withstand the weight of many individuals as well as furnishings.
Because a deck extends from the house, it’s normally constructed on a higher elevation, which is why they’re usually walled for safety and have a flight of steps that will bring you into the remainder of your home’s landscape.
Patios, on the other hand, are often composed of concrete, paver stone, or bricks and are located on the ground level of the property. They’re either adjoined or directly attached to the home, and they might be left open or enclosed by trees and bushes.
The Difference Between a Deck and a Patio
Now that you know how decks and patios are defined architecturally, it’s time to compare them in terms of the most important features for a house renovator.
1. Longevity
One of the most important factors to consider while renovating a house is the structure’s durability. We’ll concentrate on the sturdiness and resistance of both buildings against harm, as well as how long you can anticipate them to survive without requiring modifications, since durability may take various forms.
To begin, bear in mind that decks are constructed of wood, while patios are constructed of stones and concrete. To put it another way, you may anticipate the patio to last longer than a hardwood deck.
Weather has a tendency to harm wood, causing it to rot inside and break down over time. Patios, on the other hand, are susceptible to permanent discoloration and cracking, particularly if you reside in a place with strong weather fluctuations.
Patios frequently outlive decks in terms of sheer years of service. Both of them, however, will stand the test of time if properly cared for and maintained.
2. Personal space
A patio is a preferable alternative if you’re primarily creating a structure to retain your privacy. This is due to the fact that patios are constructed closer to the home and on the ground level, allowing you greater design flexibility if you want to keep your privacy.
It’s easy to surround it with trees and plants to make it more secluded, in addition to the low-profile design of a traditional patio. Even better, for further seclusion, the patio may be encircled by a wooden roof. (For more ideas, see these 15 Enclosed Patio Designs!)
The height of the decks above the ground, on the other hand, will make you feel like you’re on a pedestal above the fence covering.
3. View
Speaking of height, just because the deck has a high-profile design doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own set of advantages!
Because decks are often constructed higher off the ground, they typically provide a fantastic view, which is ideal if you live near a lake, open fields, or other beautiful landscape.
Even if you don’t have any landscape, the elevated position of a deck enables you to enjoy the view of your whole backyard and the lovely horizon.
This, too, will depend on what’s around your property, since you may be surrounded on all sides by neighbors.
4. Uneven Terrain Suitability
Patios need exceptionally level and flat ground to be constructed on, which is one of the primary causes of patio cracking.
In truth, a piece of land may seem flat to the naked eye, but not to the concrete that has been poured on top of it. That’s why, particularly if there are some minor hills here and there, you’ll need to estimate the amount of flatness of the ground where you’re planning to create a patio.
The levelness of the ground, on the other hand, isn’t a key consideration while constructing a deck since the whole structure will be supported by beams.
Overall, the flatness of your landscape has a significant influence on your options and costs, particularly if you lean toward the patio side.
5. Construction Costs
Both materials and labor expenses are closely tied to the cost of installing a deck or patio. Ideally, constructing a deck costs more than constructing a patio since wood is more expensive than patio supplies, and you’ll need more of it.
Furthermore, creating a deck takes more effort and skilled workmanship, which translates to a greater price. A square foot of deck should cost between $15 and $30 in ideal circumstances.
A patio, on the other hand, has a greater range of material options, with concrete being the most cost-effective. Depending on the construction material, a square foot patio should cost between $5 and $15.
Maintenance is number six.
Except for washing to minimize stains, patios don’t need any regular care. Wooden decks, on the other hand, need adequate sealing and restaining every few years to stay in excellent form.
7. The opportunity to customize
When it comes to personalization, both choices are rather flexible. Wood, on the other hand, may be primed and painted to complement the home or garden design.
Additionally, since decks include more parts than patios, such as rails, gates, and steps, there is more space for personalizing the structure to suit your preferences.
8. Heat Tolerance
Because you’ll probably be using the structure in the summer, you’ll want it to absorb as much heat as possible to keep it cool enough to walk on.
Wood is a good natural heat insulator, absorbing sunlight without holding or emitting too much heat.
Concrete and paving stones, on the other hand, may get quite hot in the summer. In fact, cracking an egg open on a sun-exposed pavement can cause the egg to cook, so picture the scalds from standing barefoot on a scorching patio!
Furthermore, excessive heat and cooling down at night may hasten the cracking of concrete patios.
9. Weight Limitations
A patio’s weight is never an issue since it’s constructed on the ground, which means it has a natural level of strong infrastructure capable of sustaining almost anything!
Decks, on the other hand, are supported by beams and other architectural elements, which are highly influenced by the strength of the foundation and the kind of wood used in construction.
The more furnishings and amenities you choose to have on your deck, the more it will cost.
10. The Need for a Permit
Building a deck may be governed by legislation in your area, and you may be required to get a permit or meet other legal criteria before doing so.
This is due to the fact that a deck alters the look of a property and must assure the safety of the homeowner and others.
Patios, on the other hand, should not need any legal approval, inspections, or a waiting time before construction.
11. Concerns about safety
When constructed correctly, both decks and patios are quite safe and secure. On chilly days, though, patios tend to produce a slick coating of ice, which may be dangerous if you’re not cautious.
Decks are also designed at an elevated height, which may raise worries about falling. However, if you construct a robust railing or fence, this should not be an issue.
12. Price of Resale
Finally, if you’re adding an outside expansion to increase the value of your home, you should think about the return on investment (ROI) and resale value of each option.
Building a deck has one of the best return on investment values of all projects, according to most remodeling calculators, with an estimated ROI of about 70% to 80%!
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
With all of that stated, you now have a comprehensive guide that compares a domestic deck to a patio.
As you can see, each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. With the aid of this guide, you’ll be able to choose the best alternative for you based on the most important factors!
The “deck vs patio reddit” is a question that has been asked many times. We have created a 2022 guide to help you decide between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have a deck or concrete patio?
A: Concrete patios are stronger, but decks require no maintenance.
Does a deck or patio add more value?
Is it cheaper to build a deck or concrete patio?
A: It is cheaper to build a deck because concrete patios are harder and more difficult than decks.
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