A deck is an open outdoor porch or platform without a roof that extends from the rear of a house (usually). On the other hand, a patio may be a paved area situated directly on the ground, which may either be attached or detached from a house. Patios are generally less costly than decks because the materials are cheaper, but the ROI on a replacement deck runs greater than one on a patio. However, both additions offer excellent styling and practicality, so whichever route you take, it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

Now that you know the basic difference between a deck and patio, it’s probably best that we look into each of the pros and cons, as this will help you make a final decision, so you can get back to working on your garden, rather than Googling this very question!

Patio Benefits

• Easy maintenance (if you’ve chosen a good quality paving)
• A wide mix of colours, shapes and textures
• Paving looks good with a bigger selection of property styles
• Longevity (if you’ve chosen high-quality paving)

Patio Downsides

• More intensive construction needed underneath a patio, especially in areas with tons of ground movement, as reinforcement is usually required
• Environmental impact of using concrete
• The cost can be high

Deck Benefits

• Quicker, easier construction, especially if raised above ground level
• Natural-looking material
• Slightly cheaper counting on the wood used
• If using reclaimed wood, it’s more environmentally friendly

Deck Downsides

• Maintenance (requires regular oiling if you would like to keep that gorgeous brown colour)
• Longevity (so long as you don’t go for untreated softwood decking)
• It can be very slippery in winter. There are many horror stories of people falling.

Whilst the above list does raise a few concerns to take into account, the best place to start is by walking outside and just looking at the type of property you have. If you reside within the middle of rural England during a beautiful old house, decking probably isn’t getting to be the simplest material to use because it won’t be kept in line with the house style.

However, if you reside in a built-up urban area, decking will look great with it, especially if it’s a new build. So do take the time to think about the sort of house you’ve got before making a final decision.

What would add the most value to my home?

It’s a tough decision as it depends on the materials used. You can have a poorly constructed decking and a lousy patio, or you can have a great one! That said stone patios are usually around forever, and the decking is comparatively new the United Kingdom, but it’s become ubiquitous during just a few years.

It has grown in popularity so quickly because it’s usually cheaper than a patio, albeit you need to employ the best quality timber because there tends to be less ground preparation. A good quality paved patio is straightforward to take care of and will be built to last a lifetime.  Still unsure? A trip to your local garden store will show that there are many options to suit all tastes, so there should be a patio or decking to suit you.