Why a Patio Is Often a Better Option Than Decking

Posted on: 27 July 2018

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Being outside in the summertime is the perfect way to relax and cool off a bit, especially with an ice-cold drink and some good company. Using the lawn is all well and good, but you can easily damage the grass, which is definitely a bad thing if you care about your backyard's appearance. It can also be uneven, so using garden furniture might be unsafe.

For these reasons, having some kind of flat surface built in your garden is popular, with the two main options being a deck or a patio. It's a tough choice to make, but in many cases, going for a custom patio is the right decision. Here are the reasons why.

They're easier to maintain.

Wooden decking needs to be regularly treated to stop it from succumbing to rot or decay. This makes decking a less-appealing option to homeowners who simply want to enjoy being outdoors.

With a patio, you need to do very little in the way of maintenance. As long as you keep it clean by giving it a quick going-over with a brush and a mop every now and again, you shouldn't have any problems.

They last longer.

Nothing lasts forever, but you'll want to make sure your new investment gives you as much enjoyment as possible.

Patios last longer than wooden decking, simply because the materials are more durable. They're less prone to damage, and their natural lifespan is longer than that of a wooden structure.

They blend in better with your house.

If you want to create the feeling of your home being extended outside, a patio is definitely the way to go.

The stone or concrete used to build one will blend in more convincingly with your house than wood can, and you can choose colours to increase the effect.

They're safer with children.

Decking is raised off the ground, while patios are typically built quite flat. This makes them much safer where children are concerned because there aren't any steps to fall down.

A patio surface is also less slippery when it's wet than a wooden deck, so using it after rain isn't as likely to cause an accident.

They add more value to your home.

Any extensions or additions you make to your home should add some resale value. You might be surprised to learn that a patio usually adds more than decking does.

It's all down to the more permanent nature of a stone patio and the fact it's more likely to appeal to a wide range of tastes than a wooden deck.