You know that you want an area in your backyard that you can enjoy, but you don’t know where to begin. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place!
Today, we are going to dissect the difference between a deck and a patio and, hopefully, help you decide which one is right for you!
First, you need to know that there is a difference between a deck and a patio and depending on the type of house you have may be the determining factor for deciding which one you need to choose.
What is a Deck?
A deck is back porch. It is an area that is raised above the ground, typically on the same level as the main level of the house that usually has enough room for seating, a grill, and a patio table.
A deck is almost always found on houses that have a basement that rises above the ground, such as a daylight basement, as these types of basements raise the height of the main level of the house to where the deck is attached.
What is a Patio?
A patio is a concrete slab that has been poured directly onto the ground in an area of the backyard. A patio can be attached to the backside of the home, or it can be in a designated area separate from the home.
A patio is seen in virtually every home with no basement as the foundation of the home is the same level as the ground.
What Room of the Home will Access the Deck or Patio?
Depending on the type of home you have or the room you want the patio or deck to extend from can determine if you should choose a deck or a patio.
First, you need to ask yourself, from what area of the home do I want to access my deck or patio?
Basement
Most homes access the deck or patio from a back door near the kitchen, but this may not be the area you have in mind. You may have a finished basement that you are looking to add a deck or patio. If that is the case, a patio will be the best choice. This is because a patio is a concrete area that is poured directly onto the ground.
As you walk outside from the basement, you will not be above the ground. Instead, you will be at the ground level. This makes a patio the best choice for accessing from a basement room.
Back Door/Kitchen Door
To add a patio or deck that connects or oversees your back yard, you will likely access it from a back door or kitchen door. This is why you need to know what kind of foundation your home is built.
If your home is built on a concrete slab foundation where your back door opens directly into the back yard, you should choose a patio.
If your home is built on top of a basement where the main level of the home is elevated above the ground, even just a little bit, you should choose a deck.
Any Home can have a Patio, but not Every Home can have a Deck
Even if you have a home that sits in a basement and is elevated above the ground, you can still create a patio area. You will likely have to walk outside and down your home’s front stairs to access it, but it can be done. However, it is unlikely that you will want to build a deck onto a second-floor room just so you can simply have a deck at your home.
Patios are great for a variety of reasons.
Patios are easy to maintain, easy to clean, durable, low-maintenance, cost-effective, and versatile. You can add a covering to a patio much easier than you can add a covering to a deck. Patio coverings can be in the form of a pergola or a canopy.
Patios are also private because they are low to the ground and keep you out-of-sight from potentially nosy neighbors. Patios also don’t have a weight limit the way that decks do, making them increasingly safer than decks.
Even if your home can accommodate a deck, you should decide if a patio or a deck is worth it in the long run.
Patio Requirements
Even though patios are less maintenance than decks, they have specific requirements in order to be successful.
The foundation of the patio must be poured on level ground, whereas a deck can be built on the side of a mountain if need be.
The concrete foundation of the patio will begin to crack over time. This is typically safer than a deck that has become loose or weathered, but a small crack can turn into a big problem if left untreated. Chunks of the patio may begin to break off, especially if you live in cold climates where the concrete patio will freeze and refreeze many times throughout the year.
Because the foundation of the patio is directly on the ground, patios are likely to splatter with mud as it rains. The mud will dry and leave stains throughout the floor of the patio. The good news is that pressure washing a concrete patio is a simple and gratifying project that quickly turns a stained patio into a pristine patio.
How to Choose: The Bottom Line
The bottom line to knowing if you should choose a deck or a patio is to determine the type of house you live in and the room of the house you will be accessing the deck or patio.
Sometimes there is more to the decision than just answering this question. The foundation of your deck or patio may require additional resources, such as grading the land or reinforcing a drainage system.
In this case, you will want to choose the option that requires the least amount of risk to your property. After all, a patio or deck is only good if you can safely enjoy it!