Patio v. Deck Any suggestions?

[cliffy]

My wife and I built a new rambler this past fall and now we are getting ready to do some landscaping. We are trying to decide if we should go with a patio or a deck. If we went with a patio we are trying to decide between stamped/colored concrete or pavers. If we go with a deck, we are trying to decide between using some type of composite material versus traditional wood decking material. We are thinking it would be somewhere around 15X20 in size.

I am leaning towards a deck but the price of the composite materials is outrageous...but the no or low maintenance aspect is very nice.

The wife wants stamped concrete but my fear is that it would probably develop cracks over time and look horrible. I think pavers might shift but I assume that is an easy fix.

Has anyone gone through this experience recently and have any advise or words of wisdom?

[CFRay]

With the soils you have in your area the concrete slab patio will likely develop cracks. That clay shrinks and swells with moisture content and freeze/thaw. That is a tough reality to overcome with reinforcing, sand cushions etc. in a concrete slab.

Pavers will also move around some for the same reason but you'd be able to do some repairs with a shovel and some sand. The edging is a real important element in a paver patio.

I'm sure there are plenty of carpenters that will offer advice on the deck option. I believe that the post footings would need to be 60" to the bottom of hole in the FM area. I do have a neighbor here with a composite deck on the south side of his home. That material gets real hot on a sunny day. They are not able to walk on the deck barefoot at times it holds so much heat.

Good Luck with your plans.

[captainstevo]

One thing that the concrete mason that I work with says is, there are two types of concrete slabs, those that are cracked, and those that will crack. I think that the stamped concrete patio looks awsome, but there is always the crack idea, a little crack is usually not noticed unless it heaves of moves. this is one of the chances that we take when living in an area with wonderful frost.

As far as if you want a deck, I would personally stray away from the composite decking. I built some people a deck with composite, they loved it, 4 months later I pulled it up and replaced it with wood. it had cracked and changed colors in the sun since it is a precent plastic. I have really heard some bad cases about this new composite decking.

If you go with wood try looking into the "Clear treating" method that is becoming more popular. the wood is not the traditional treated grean and looks awsome, as well as takes a stain or paint if so desired. I did a small deck and a huge deck off the side of a house I built on the lake last year as well as a hot tup platform for anouther home. They turned out wonderfull. Anyway, Good luck and I hope you are enjoying your new home.

[Roofer]

Either way you are going to have concrete in the ground. get some sand and pack it for a concrete slab.

I think it comes down to personal opinion. Probably both the same price, but the cement will be done in one day and not cause you any work or headaches for years (with the correct soil).

Personally, I wouldn't waste the money on stamped, but that's my opinion. Regular concrete is nice and easy to clean and take care of.

[maros91]

It's hard to go wrong with either. Everyone likes sitting on the deck and enjoying a fresh cold one. The stamped patio has that "classy" look and feel to it. I am a concrete guy so I would say the patio but you can't go wrong with a deck either.

[fishinchicks]

We put in a stamped concrete patio last summer. So far, we love it! We have it just outside our kitchen door, and can grill year round. We used to have a deck, but it was high maintenance, and rotted in some of the main walkways. I grew up with a paver patio, and hated having to pull weeds and put new sand in it every year. It was pretty uneven after a few years, even though my dad tamped it, and had it perfectly level (he was very precise).

If you go with a concrete patio, make sure there are joints cut in to direct any cracking.

[Roofer]

 Originally Posted By: Biff Tannen

The stamped patio has that "classy" look and feel to it.

Ya, if you're a "fancy boy"

j/k with ya, haha

[rattlereel]

One reason I like a patio is it gives you some extraprivacy. You will end up being almost 2' lower so everyone can't see you.

The concrete company should remove all organic soils under the slab and tie the slab into the foundation with dowels. They should also place the slab on at least 4" of free draining soil and make their expansion cuts as soon as possible. This will reduce the number of shrinkage cracks. Look at you driveway the patio is about half that big so if it looks fine your patio should too. Waiting until after the first winter really settles the ground down.

In Fargo/Moorhead we automatically go to a granite aggregate in a colored slab. This eliminates the possibility for shale popouts.

The concrete slab will be easy to take care of, just wash it down and seal it with a surface sealer to bring out the color.

[maros91]

 Originally Posted By: Roofer

 Originally Posted By: Biff Tannen

The stamped patio has that "classy" look and feel to it.

Ya, if you're a "fancy boy"

j/k with ya, haha

You know me, I'm as fancy as they come.

[not_nuf_time]

First of all, my mom built an awesome rambler and put on a composit deck, looks terrible. Second, just another option to think about. You can get those 1 1/2 in.(thick) stone slabs at like patio town or elsewhere. They can be broken to different sizes to fit together like a puzzle to layout the patio of choice. You could space them and leave a light line of grass between stones or lay close and use sand. Maybe a little uneven but very nice looking almost more outdoorish. They come in multiple colors.

[cliffy]

Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions. We got a few bids and settled on a 20x20 composite deck. The bad news is that it isn't in our budget for this summer. I was absolutely shocked at the price of this stuff.....I even priced out just the product and WOW...not cheap at all. So, our plan is to get the sprinkler system, grass, edging and etc done this summer and save up for the deck the following summer. Or, who knows, maybe we will change our minds once again by that time and go with a stone/concrete patio....

again, thanks for all the info

Cliffy

[DanH]

I've had a wooden deck and a stamped concrete patio. I prefer the stamped concrete patio. Much less maintenance than a wood deck. Even my TiberTech stairs require spring washing. Teh patio only requires a single coat clear seal once a year that rolls on. Takes about 1 hr.

[chasineyes]

Patio may be more attractive to mosquitoes where a deck is more open to breezes. Why not do the deck yourself. I did a 16x14 composite with metal spindles for around $2500.

[croixflats]

Id go paver patio, no maintanance last for ever if done right and lot more flexable in shape and sizes and pattern and colors.

I install them, fairly easy do it yourself If need sugestions happy to help.This is not a solititatiom ,just like to share.

[updecreek]

The new plastic deck boards fade no way of recoloring. wood deck needs lots of restaining. I would say patio blocks.

[Hills]

PATIO, it is hard to mess up concrete. Easier to landscape around also.

[EYEYIEYE]

If you look at composites there are many different brands and quality levels. I would go with cedar before either treated or composite. but for most uses I think the pavers are the best option. When your concrete cracks it is a pain in the rear to pull up and replace. blocks are easy once you get the first one out.

[cliffy]

Well, the warden came home the other day and said that she made an executive decision. She now wants a paver patio. She spoke with the landscaping company and I guess its a done deal. This truly shows how much influence I have in my own home ! I have learned over the course of several years its sometimes better to go with the flow.....so pavers it will be. I do like the idea of the cost savings versus a composite deck...and maintenance should be pretty low. Again, Thanks for all the suggestions and help.