Should you build a deck or a patio in your yard?
How do you decide which one is suitable for you, matches your lifestyle, and will serve as the perfect outdoor living space?
Continue reading to know everything there is to know about the difference between a deck and patio from a local decking contractor.
Whether it’s winter, autumn, spring, or summer, it’s always great to enjoy outdoors, even if it’s only on your deck or patio. And speaking of that, what’s the difference between these two types of spaces? They’re visually quite similar and we do use these terms interchangeably. Still, this doesn’t make them the same. In fact, there are multiple differences between a patio and a deck. Let’s have a look at a few such differences.
Definition Differences
By definition, a deck is an open outdoor platform or porch without a roof that extends from a house. On the other hand, a patio is a paved area that is directly situated on the ground.
Construction Differences
The simplest way to differentiate between a deck and patio is by the material. Patios can be built with pavers, concrete, tile, stone, brick, rock, pebbles, or pea gravel. Moreover, patios are generally set on a concrete slab or a pebble and sand base. As patios are built at or any ground level, they don’t require safety railings.
Decks are mainly constructed with wood or a composite wood material or vinyl, such as Trex. Cedar, pressure-treated pine and redwood are the most popular woods for making a deck.
Cost Differences
Despite popular opinion, the installation cost of patios is significantly lower than the installation cost of decks. This is because wood, in general, is less costly than tile or concrete.
For instance, the average cost to install a patio and a walkway is $2,637. On the other hand, the average cost to install a deck is around $6,148. A simple deck design, such as a rectangular or square deck, is cheaper than a customized design.
Cleaning Differences
Believe it or now, you can get mold on both your patio and deck. Deck mold is a very common problem and several deck owners are aware of it before installation. However, patio owners need to know that you don’t frequently clean and maintain your patio, mold is going to appear.
Removing deck mold largely depends on its location. For example, deck mold can form next to, or underneath your deck. Keep in mind that just because you can’t see mold, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.
Patios don’t have to be cleaned as often as a deck. However, if mold appears, you need to go to your closest hardware store and buy some biodegradable patio cleaning items.
Last Few Words
As you can see, patios and decks are quite different from each other. While they both allow you to enjoy the amazing outdoor view, decks and patios provide one-of-a-kind features that you need to consider prior to installation.
