Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

Patio.

We just recently added a 1600+ sq ft travertine patio to our home. (We were initially going to use Pennyslvania Bluestone like Greenfreak posted.)

There was a lot involved in design of the patio though, from regrading (raise the height of the patio and for drainage purposes) to figuring out what kind of material you intend to use: does it need to be mortared or can it be dry set and does it need to be on a concrete slab. Freeze-thaw cycles play a role and being you're upstate, it's something you need to consider.

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

I like patios, I think they are less maintanence then a deck (unless you get trekks).

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

I like the look of decks better then patios.

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

I think a deck would look beautiful on the back of your house.. btw your house is beautiful

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

Message edited 11/17/2011 8:08:50 PM.

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

We just added a deck but if the house was not on a crawl space we probably would have added a walk out patio instead.



The painter was finishing it up when we took this picture


our neighbors have a patio

Message edited 3/31/2008 9:15:11 AM.

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

I prefer decks, but i think for your property... a patio would look better!

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

It doesn't look like your back door is that high off the ground, so I'd say to just do a deck off the back door. It should only be a few feet off the ground so I don't think privacy will really be an issue. Also, as a PP stated, you could always do a step down to a lower level too. I just know I used to live in a ranch on a slab and we had sliders off the kitchen going out to a patio, and it was so easy eating outside since there were no stairs to go up or down with food, drinks, dishes, etc. It almost makes it like a whole other room, but outside!

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

I prefer patios in general but I think your house is a bit higher off the ground and a deck would look better.

If finance permits I would do a deck which would lead to a patio with steps. That could be done at different times.

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

Patios because the stonework they can do now-a-days is so fabulous. We have a deck, but I am hoping at some point to add in an in-ground pool with a slate patio around it and our hot tub (and keep the deck too).

Re: Deck vs. Patio - which do you prefer and why? (etd to add pic of my backyard)

Patio b/c it requires less up keep.