Creating an outdoor space at your home is great if you enjoy the comfort of lounging outside with family and friends. Outdoor space can take the form of a spacious deck or patio. The question is, which is best for your home?
Deck or Patio: What’s the Difference?
Decks are normally constructed using wood or vinyl. They can be built near the ground but usually not on the ground.
Decks often have various level changes making it stylish and very versatile, especially when a home is built on varying levels of terrain. They can be built on a first floor to extend the living area outside and can also be built on a second floor, giving you outdoor access from your master bedroom. Decks are typically enclosed with a railing for safety purposes. Adding a quality railing system can enhance the look of the deck, making it feel cozy and exclusive.
Patios on the other hand are generally built directly on the ground. It can be an extension of a home or it can be built in another area of your yard. Instead of wood or vinyl, patios are often made with stone, tile, brick or other materials to create a solid foundation. In many cases, patios include built in decor such has fire pits, grills and lounging areas, giving a more social vibe for relaxation.
Deck or Patio: What’s it going to Cost me?
Choosing a deck or patio needs to be made based on the space you have to work with rather than cost. However, cost will depend on:
- Materials
- Location
- Size of area
- Features
Decks require support systems that vary depending on the height and square footage of the structure. The larger and more elaborate the deck, the more they tend to get pricey. When a deck is complicated, materials are more costly. And with the amount of work that needs to be done, so are labor costs.
With a patio being mostly done on the ground, material cost can be less expensive. But having a quality patio built requires proper landscape grading to ensure your ground is level. Should you run into site preparation and grading issues, the cost can easily go up.
Do your homework based on what will work for you because the cost for either a deck or patio will vary depending on what you want.
Which Is Best For Your Home?
The answer is really up to you and what you want for your home. Both are good options and there is nothing preventing you from doing both.
The choice becomes based on what you want to incorporate that will enhance your lifestyle. Take into consideration other outside factors that will contribute to your decision.
- If your home is on level ground and you want stylish landscaping, a patio is your best option.
- If you are looking for something more visual where you can stand and enjoy the scenery from a high rise view or your yard has uneven surfaces, you probably will want a deck.
Whatever you choose, either option will provide you the outdoor space that you can enjoy for years to come.