Deck to patio

[JHZR2]

Looking for issues we may be missing...

Our door is about three steps off the ground. Currently we have a deck at door height, so a low deck. It is a bit small for entertaining, and the wife wants a patio instead.

I am curious if there are any negatives to having a patio vice a raised deck. I can only think of the fact that there is some storage underneath. Are we going to encounter more bugs? Is there a good reason to have a deck instead of a patio?

Thanks

 

[Boomer]

If you rebuild a deck, be aware that new rules are in place , I believe at the national level, where decks over a certain height must have the support beams run INTO the house and supported against the floor or joist inside the house to prevent collapse of the deck. Check this out with a contractor before you make a decision.

 

[Pablo]

I doubt you will need extended or co-joining beams from the house for a 3' or so deck.

That said - I've owned both.

I love wood, don't get me wrong - but man it's a LOT of maintenance. At this stage in my life I just don't have time. My current patio? Clean every couple years. Good to go - 100+ years. Exposed Wood decks - yikes - twice a year cleaning very two years coating....then in 10 years or less - still needs replacing. Now if it's fully covered you can keep that wood nice. Sun and water do a huge number on wood.

I cannot comment on plastic/composite decking, seems expensive.

Patio? Stone? Concrete?

 

[mechtech2]

The wife wants patio?

Right or wrong, isn't that the answer?

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
The wife wants patio?

Right or wrong, isn't that the answer?

Yep, that's the right answer.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Pablo

I love wood



Really!

 

[JHZR2]

lol, the wife wants a patio, so it is the answer, kind of... But she is great, extremely reasonable, and wants to be sure to make the right choice too.. Especially since we will make a nice stone patio, which is $$$.

 

[mechtech2]

Consider using colorant in the concrete of a patio.

Either a single color or patterns can be used, and they are permanent. - in the concrete. Really cool stuff - they can look outstanding!

A bit of homework concerning this extra step is well worth it.