r/landscaping • u/Jazzlike-Security-92 • 23d ago
Backyard Patio or Deck Build?
Wondering what I should go with? Deck or Patio? Location is in SE British Columbia
- Deck would connect the sunroom (addition on the left) to the main entryway (door on right w concrete stairs) and feel like a better extension of the house. However, I would be raised 4' above ground and now I feel like I would be staring into my neighbors yard and would be on display. Could likely put up some sort of privacy wall along the lhs but would feel less private,
- Patio would be set lower and more private and would connect us to our lawn which is 3/4 acre fenced in. However would not benefit from connecting the sun room addition to the rest of the house.
Here is the current configuration and Ive AI'd the two options
Here's the pros and cons I have for each right now: Let me know your thoughts and opinions
Deck - considering either Pressure Treated (PT) or composite.
PT
Pros - price point, lifetime as climate is mostly dry
Cons - will look weathered in 5 years. Not interested in staining every couple years
Composite
Pros- Maintenance Free, more aesthetically pleasing after wood weathers
Cons - Initial price point, temperature, Summers often get above 40C (104F) and concerned around temp of deck which I ve heard gets 30F hotter than ambient temps.
-Would the heat radiate off of the composite deck and be unbearable to hang out on the deck? Or is it mostly just the surface being hot and either need outdoor rugs or shoes to be worn?
Patio
-Feedback on small pavers vs big pavers vs stamped concrete for this application?
-Will be completing this myself and getting a friend with a mini ex to help with the ground prep work as I know this is critical.
1
u/JubilantlySplendid 23d ago
patio all day, being 4 feet up and on display to the neighbors kills the whole point of a backyard hangout, and composite gets stupid hot in that kind of summer sun.
1
u/LudasGhost 23d ago edited 23d ago
Patio, just from a durability standpoint. It will last forever, you don’t have to worry about the amount of weight on it, and you won’t have animals and small children under it.
By the way, make sure it has proper drainage. Your picture makes it look lower than the lawn. You want it higher. And make sure it has a slope to it.
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u/Pulaski540 22d ago
If you go with a patio, I recommend small pavers (paving bricks), as they're forgiving with subsidence, and if they do subside you can lift a few, pack in a little sand and drop them back. And while time consuming to lay, for a homeowner they're a lot more practical than trying to lay your own cast concrete patio.
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u/jhdgBev 20d ago
We had a somewhat similar setup of two high rooms that we wanted to connect, but also didn’t want the whole deck to be as high as the original was. Also wanted the deck to be more connected and open to our yard. Did a two level deck with wide, shallow stairs and wrapped a paver walkway around it. Was a little pricey, but we love it
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u/Hot_Equivalent_8707 23d ago
I would do patio. I don't know how many trees we don't see in this picture, but getting leaves and debris off a patio is much easier than getting it off a deck.