If you just brought your home, or if you have been living with a home where your backyard is just kind of there you might be thinking it’s time to do something with that space. Homeowners often use the terms deck and patio interchangeably, but the truth is that they’re quite different and each one has benefits and drawbacks to them; neither one is going to be right for everyone and you have to evaluate your lifestyle and what you’re expecting to use your space for in the future.
So, what is a patio?
A patio is useable outdoor space that is installed directly on the ground, and usually is made of concrete, stone, tile or wood. Patios are sometimes covered, with a gazebo or pavilion, and might have additional features such as a built in fire pit. They are almost always built to be a foundation for a sitting area or socialization area.
Alright . . . well then what’s a deck?
Decks are usually built out of wood or a synthetic material that looks like wood, such as vinyl. Decks can be built near the ground or raised quite high off the ground, but they are never built directly on the ground. Decks also typically have some kind of railing closing it in, and they might have stairs descending to meet the ground. Usually they don’t have built in features, like a fire pit, but these things can be added at any time.
Dollars and Cents
Many times the choice you make will depend on the space you have available, but it will also likely be largely dependent on your budget: how much you are willing (or able) to spend will dictate whether you will have a deck or a patio. So, you might be asking what each one is going to cost you?
Some sources quote that a deck will run you up to $15,000 but that would be an amazing deck! For a moderate deck, it is estimated you will spend about $33 per square foot whereas you might only spend about $15-$20 per square foot for a patio, sometimes including someone to come and install it for you. Factors such as material, location, size and additional features may drive up your cost. For example, if you want to install a patio but your backyard is really uneven then you might need someone to come in and level it out with some top soil and potentially remove rocks or other debris before the foundation can be laid. If you decide to have a deck that’s going to be multi-level you might need to ensure the proper ground supports are in place before you build.
What do I get out of it?
If you know that you only plan to stay in your home another few years and want to make sure you are putting in an addition that will be a benefit when it’s time to sell then this might sway your decision.
It is estimated that a deck is better return on investment than a patio. However this is largely dependent on the buyer: you might find a buyer who loves patios and will appreciate the effort you put into your space. If numbers are your thing, here it is: the estimated return on investment for a deck is about 75% while it’s only about 60% (maximum) for a patio. Again, this is only a factor if you think you’re going to sell in the near future and want to make sure your investment is worth while.
Evaluate Your Space
In the end, which one is right for you is always going to depend on what you use it for: do you have an in ground pool that you want to add space for hanging out, cooking and socializing? Then you’ll probably want a patio. Or does your house offer an amazing view that you want to be able to enjoy from outside? Perhaps a deck is better for you after all.
Regardless of which one articles or experts say is better, you really have to decide how you are going to use the space and what you feel most comfortable with. Overall, a deck is a larger purchase but that doesn’t mean it’s right for you, especially if you want to expand your entertaining area or be able to enjoy a built in fire pit for backyard campfires. By closely examining how you use your outdoor space, or how you know you will be using it, you can determine which option is right for you and then start planning it, and have fun choosing from all the different colours, materials and features of your new deck or patio.
If you just brought your home, or if you have been living with a home where your backyard is just kind of there you might be thinking it’s time to do something with that space. Homeowners often use the terms deck and patio interchangeably, but the truth is that they’re quite different and each one has benefits and drawbacks to them; neither one is going to be right for everyone and you have to evaluate your lifestyle and what you’re expecting to use your space for in the future.
So, what is a patio?
A patio is useable outdoor space that is installed directly on the ground, and usually is made of concrete, stone, tile or wood. Patios are sometimes covered, with a gazebo or pavilion, and might have additional features such as a built in fire pit. They are almost always built to be a foundation for a sitting area or socialization area.
Alright . . . well then what’s a deck?
Decks are usually built out of wood or a synthetic material that looks like wood, such as vinyl. Decks can be built near the ground or raised quite high off the ground, but they are never built directly on the ground. Decks also typically have some kind of railing closing it in, and they might have stairs descending to meet the ground. Usually they don’t have built in features, like a fire pit, but these things can be added at any time.
Dollars and Cents
Many times the choice you make will depend on the space you have available, but it will also likely be largely dependent on your budget: how much you are willing (or able) to spend will dictate whether you will have a deck or a patio. So, you might be asking what each one is going to cost you?
Some sources quote that a deck will run you up to $15,000 but that would be an amazing deck! For a moderate deck, it is estimated you will spend about $33 per square foot whereas you might only spend about $15-$20 per square foot for a patio, sometimes including someone to come and install it for you. Factors such as material, location, size and additional features may drive up your cost. For example, if you want to install a patio but your backyard is really uneven then you might need someone to come in and level it out with some top soil and potentially remove rocks or other debris before the foundation can be laid. If you decide to have a deck that’s going to be multi-level you might need to ensure the proper ground supports are in place before you build.
What do I get out of it?
If you know that you only plan to stay in your home another few years and want to make sure you are putting in an addition that will be a benefit when it’s time to sell then this might sway your decision.
It is estimated that a deck is better return on investment than a patio. However this is largely dependent on the buyer: you might find a buyer who loves patios and will appreciate the effort you put into your space. If numbers are your thing, here it is: the estimated return on investment for a deck is about 75% while it’s only about 60% (maximum) for a patio. Again, this is only a factor if you think you’re going to sell in the near future and want to make sure your investment is worth while.
Evaluate Your Space
In the end, which one is right for you is always going to depend on what you use it for: do you have an in ground pool that you want to add space for hanging out, cooking and socializing? Then you’ll probably want a patio. Or does your house offer an amazing view that you want to be able to enjoy from outside? Perhaps a deck is better for you after all.
Regardless of which one articles or experts say is better, you really have to decide how you are going to use the space and what you feel most comfortable with. Overall, a deck is a larger purchase but that doesn’t mean it’s right for you, especially if you want to expand your entertaining area or be able to enjoy a built in fire pit for backyard campfires. By closely examining how you use your outdoor space, or how you know you will be using it, you can determine which option is right for you and then start planning it, and have fun choosing from all the different colours, materials and features of your new deck or patio.
