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I am thinking about landscaping my backyard. I am debating between building a deck vs. just have a concrete patio at the back. Would be interested in pros vs. cons on each.
I would prefer a stained concrete patio over a deck, unless the decking was that new material (can't think of the name of it offhand). Will it be covered?
I would think that concrete lasts longer, but wood should be cooler. We still have the concrete patio that came with the house that we bought in 1975. I don't think a deck would last that long.
I would prefer a stained concrete patio over a deck, unless the decking was that new material (can't think of the name of it offhand).
Were you thinking of composite decking? I saw that at Home Depot. Also read from the link Charles provided, think it's called "Trex", but I also read that it gets HOT with direct sunlight.
I read that concrete cracks. I'd be interested in your experience with concrete patio. How often and how difficult it is to repair the cracks.
If you have wood decks, how often do you need to repair splinters, re-seal or repaint?
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Will it be covered?
Interesting question. Were you suggesting a screened-in porch like?
My backyard is flat, there's no problem putting in a stamped concrete patio, or a wood deck.
Another option that I am thinking is to put in an upper deck that can only be accessible from the 2nd floor, it will be secluded with an elevated view of trees & meadows in the back. Meanwhile, the space below can be an outdoor patio with the option to screen it in like a porch so no mosquito problem in the summer.
I would think that concrete lasts longer, but wood should be cooler. We still have the concrete patio that came with the house that we bought in 1975. I don't think a deck would last that long.
Thanks NCN. Do you need to do some repair of concrete, and how often?
Personally, if the elevation of your house allows for a patio, I'd first consider that option. A stamped concrete patio is nice but if your budget allows, get a bluestone or paver patio. Cost however would be considerable be higher than a deck but will last almost forever if built right. As for a deck, I would only consider one with vinyl railings and Trex like flooring. Having a wood deck is too much maintenance between yearly power washing and staining.
Personally, if the elevation of your house allows for a patio, I'd first consider that option. A stamped concrete patio is nice but if your budget allows, get a bluestone or paver patio. Cost however would be considerable be higher than a deck but will last almost forever if built right. As for a deck, I would only consider one with vinyl railings and Trex like flooring. Having a wood deck is too much maintenance between yearly power washing and staining.
While it only gets into the low 90s here in summer, our altitude means that the sun can get things hot. Good for our solar thermal, but the neighbor's Trex deck gets too hot to walk on or touch (and they visibly sag in the heat). Our juniper wood decks never get that hot.
^That's odd, my folks have had there vinyl and trex deck for 4-5 years now and I've never notice it sagging even in 90+ heat. And their deck is huge, 30'x15'. Could it be the spacing of the support beams? A wood deck can be nice but this vinyl/trex deck looks the same now as the day it was built.
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