Deck or Patio?

If you had a choice, would you build a deck or patio?

Also, anyone know what the difference in cost would be for the same size deck or patio? I'm guessing deck is going to cost more...

And what's the min. size deck to allow for a grill and a table that sits at least 4?

TIA!

Re: Deck or Patio?

that is a hard one. Our new house has a huge cement pation which will need to be replaced eventually. I love the look of pavers but ours is raised by 2 steps so I would want something around the outside because of the kids so I would lean to deck with rails.

Patio needs no maintenance and the deck may depending on what material you use.

Sorry I am no help!!

Re: Deck or Patio?

I also think it's tough... Ideally, it's nice to have both (a deck that leads down to a patio area), but if you are only choosing one, then I think it depends on the size of the yard and the style of the house.

With a smaller yard, I would go with a patio so as not to have the deck take up the whole yard.

Re: Deck or Patio?

Thanks ladies, I heard that a deck is considered living space so can add to our RE tax. If so, I think patio is probably the way to go. Our backyard is also not that big so a 10x20 deck will likely take up at least 1/3 of it. Not a great idea, I think?

My DH still wants to have a big landing outside our backdoor so he can put the grill up there w/o going down a few steps, I don't know if that's feasible having the grill so close to the house...

Re: Deck or Patio?

DH and I stated we want a patio so we don't have to deal with town permits for a deck.

We wanted to buy a house that had a deck and they built it without permits and the town wouldn't give them a permit because of the distance it was to the property line.

I just don't want to deal with the aggravation.

ETA: Apprarently, I can't spell today.

Message edited 12/14/2011 10:15:03 AM.

Re: Deck or Patio?

We weren't sure either so we got estimates for both and it wound up costing the same (because there was no door there originally - for a patio it was costly to have cement steps put in) so we went with a composite deck and we love it. The taxes are minimal unless you get something huge. We probably will add a patio down the line...

Re: Deck or Patio?

Definitely a patio!