Wood Deck vs Paver Patio: Which is Best for You?

One of the most common questions we hear from our customers as often as every day is, “What's better for a hardscape, a deck, or a paver patio?”. Well, we also see a lot of homeowners who are tired of discolouration and varnishing a wooden deck and are looking at other options.

Today, we will fractionate the battle, the wood deck vs paver patio. We will look at the simplest definitions of a patio and a deck with the pros and cons. Stay tuned till the end; we promise it will help you to choose the best option for an astonishing outdoor living experience as a homeowner.

What Is a Deck?

A deck is an elevated, flat wooden surface similar to a wooden floor. It is typically constructed as an outdoor living area. Decks are often elevated from the ground and connected to the external side of the main building. The term "deck” is derived from the deck of a ship or larger boat.

What Is a Patio?

The word patio is derived from Spanish. It means- the courtyard of your home. Patios are outdoor living options completely levelled with the ground and often made of concrete. Although concrete is considered the most popular building material for a patio, it may also be built with stone pavers or gravel. Another thing to remember is that patios need a flat surface to sit on the ground.

Wood Deck vs Paver Patio: Key Differences

When you decide to create an enjoyable outdoor living area, you will have to choose whether a deck or paver patio is the best option. Both decks and patios are stylish additions to your outdoor space. But which one is better?

Typically, decks are made of wood or composite wood materials. In contrast, patios are built with pavers or natural stone. However, a patio is a more attractive option than a deck because of its enhanced practicality. In the section below, we have discussed the installation process, costs, ROI, maintenance, and styling of decks and patios. The comparison will help you to decide which option suits you effectively.

Installation

A wood deck is elevated from the ground, in contrast, a patio is built at ground surface level. It is important to know before building a deck that you need a license to install a deck. But the patios don’t need one, as they are installed on the ground level. 

As decks are built on an elevated structure, you have to invest extra time and effort to create an elevated space. However, as the patios are built on the ground, they will save you space and time. Additionally, you don’t have to pay for a deck building permit. It is much easier and smoother to install a patio, particularly when you already have a prepared flat area to build it. 

Maintenance and Lifespan

Patios are easy to maintain and typically have longer lifespans because of the building materials used. They are built with concrete pavers or natural stone, which makes them low-maintenance, durable, and long-lasting. Properly treating and levelling the soil beneath your patio before installation will prolong its lifespan even more.

However, a deck, new or old, requires regular maintenance, such as power washing, sealing, and repainting every couple of years. Decks are wooden and exposed to rain and sun. So, an extreme summer week or heavy rainfall for a couple of days can ruin the overall condition. Even expensive wood and composite deck materials have shorter lifespans than concrete or stone.

Style

When planning your outdoor space, choosing a patio offers several advantages. Before deciding between a deck or patio, consider how well a patio can blend with other elements, like a fire pit or grill. Unlike the misconception that patios are cold compared to warm wooden decks, you can create a cozy atmosphere with a stone patio combination using various colors, materials, and designs.

Costs and Return on Investment

Typically, cedarwood, redwood, or ipe wood are used in deck building. The price per square foot for regular wood starts at $5, and for premium wood options, it can be as high as $30. There are other issues that make decks an expensive renovation project-

• Long and expensive drawing process
• Piling for structure
• Time-consuming building process
• High maintenance costs 

A shorter lifespan with expensive construction may make building decks a less recouping investment.

If you compare a paver patio to a wood deck, you will find it to be a more affordable option. Patios do not require time-consuming construction, joining, or extensive detailing work. Patio construction materials are cheaper and last for decades, even with low maintenance. If you install a patio on properly levelled ground, that is enough for it to become a highly recouping investment.

Taking these key differences into account, it is clear that patios can be an easy-to-install, less expensive, and low-maintenance part of your home renovation. Even though the deck is an expensive and high-maintenance option, if you have a big-budget remodeling plan and enough resources to maintain it, they can be a considerable option, too.

Why Is a Patio the Best Choice?

The first reason for choosing a paver patio over a wooden deck is its uncompromised durability. We love our home just like we love ourselves. We always try to live a beautiful life with our near and dear ones in a peaceful and well-decorated house where budget is not always a driving force. Patios are a sustainable option for decorating a home because you no longer have to worry about the conditions and lifespan of your addition frequently. Patios are ideal for both summer and rainy seasons as rain or sun has smaller impacts on them. Some more important factors that make paver or concrete patios the best option for outdoor living space is such as,

• Reasonable materials and fewer installation expenses.
• Low maintenance cost and prolonged lifespan.
• If necessary, you can easily replace individual pavers. 
• Functional option for hot California summers that pose an increased risk of fire.
• Variety of styles; you can choose between concrete or natural stones and personalized and customizable designs for your patio.
• A patio can give you a better resale value when selling your home.

Conclusion

Making a correct decision between the decks and paver patio needs careful consideration of all the pluses and drawbacks of both options. However, as we have discussed both key differences between decks and patios, it is very clear that a patio would win the battle in an arena of cost-effectiveness and peace of mind. At the same time, using materials such as stone or concrete in your home renovation may save some natural wood in the wild.

If you're looking for a perfect patio for outdoor living space to make it more welcoming and warm, Outdoor Escapes can help. We have proudly served Central Florida for the last 25 years with an expert, hardworking, and dedicated paving installer team. Call us now at 407.456.7000 for a primary consultation for a flawless paver patio installation.