Deck or Patio

Ok, I'm hoping someone can help me out here, We're looking to do a deck or a patio (maybe even a combo), we have sliding glass doors that lead out to the backyard. Right now theres five wood steps that go down to the grass (what the builder had). My question is, is it too high to do a patio with steps down to the ground? Do you feel like we'd be better doing a deck off the sliding doors and then a patio off of that? I'm just worried about walking down steep paver steps with food in my hands when we have a bbq!!
Whatcha think??

Re: Deck or Patio

I love decks because I like just walking right out without going down steps first. We chose to do a patio, however, because I didn't want to get a permit.

Re: Deck or Patio

I hate our deck...too much upkeep.

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my parents have a deck and it is a lot of keep. They sand it and stain it. I did not want to deal with all that

we have a stoop going down to our patio from sliders. I love it! At parties people use it as extra seating. It is very large stoop.

We were happy with the patio.

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I like the look of a deck more, but the maintaining is a pita

Re: Deck or Patio

Do a raised patio with stacked stone wall, doubles as seating... looks gorgeous!!

Re: Deck or Patio

well if you really want a deck you can use Trex kind of material. You don't have to sand or stain that. You need to maybe power wash it sometimes to get stuff off of it. Otherwise a nice stoop with a large platform at top like Dbleplay17's is a grea option with the patio below.

With our house we just put in a patio with one large step. I don't know how many steps you need, but they can make larger steps for you maybe. We wanted the one large step so that no on tripped out or in the house. This way when you walk out you can close the door without falling off of the first step.

my backyard


close up of the step

Re: Deck or Patio

i like decks, the ones with faux wood are great but more expensive...i would hate the upkeep of a real wood deck, we had one that was gorgeous that my father built and every year he was out there powerwashing and re-staining..lots of work! it seems like he spent more time doing that than he did relaxing outside!

Re: Deck or Patio

I have the same set-up as you. I plan on doing a deck right off our sliders. We already have a 6 ft fence up but we're also going to plant some privacy trees.

Then off the deck we'll have a paver patio with conversation seating and a fire pit.

This is my inspiration picture - only the deck will be level with the sliders - no step.

Re: Deck or Patio

I am not a fan of decks. You are typically higher off the ground and all your neighbors can see you easy.

Re: Deck or Patio

thank you all for your replies and pictures!! You all have beautiful patios and thanks for the ideas
Lots to think about!!

Re: Deck or Patio