Does A Covered Patio Add Value
A covered patio offers shade and privacy in your backyard. It makes for a great place to grill in the summer and get some fresh air in the wintereven in stormy weather. But the ultimate question remains: Does a covered patio add value to your home?
The answer is yes! Adding a covered patio definitely adds value to your home. However, as with any upgrade, its important to remember that the most high-end, extravagant upgrades probably wont increase the value significantly more than middle-range upgrades. To recoup the cost of your investment, stick with mid-level materials and finishes.
However, if youre concerned about resale value, you can certainly design the covered patio of your dreams. Youll still have years ahead of you to enjoy it, and if money is not an object, then the benefits certainly outweigh the drawbacks.
What Is A Patio
Patios are outdoor seating areas that are flush with the ground and often made of concrete. (Although concrete is considered the most popular building material for a patio, you may also choose stone, gravel, and other materials for a patio.
One of the most important considerations for those weighing installing a patio or deck is whether or not your ground is level. Since patios sit on the ground, a patio needs to sit on a flat surface. Alternatively, you can shore up the ground so itll be flat.
What Is A Deck
A deck is a raised platform that can be made of different materials, which include pressure-treated lumber, wood, PVC, composite, and more. However, here the focus will be on wood decks. A deck can sit high above the ground raised by posts and accessed via a staircase or be built low to the ground raised only by joists.
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Differences Between Decks & Patios
The primary differences between decks and patios include the way theyre designed, their location at your home, and the building materials used. While both provide you with valuable outdoor living space, there are factors to consider, such as wood vs. concrete and ground-level vs. raised. Understanding the differences between decks and patios can help you make an informed decision about which is right for you. Youll want to consider the costs, location, the terrain, and your own personal tastes.
Beyond the differences between decks and patios, there are different subcategories for each. Compare them to see which is right for you.
Cost Of Materials And Installation
The next thing to consider here is that wooden decks can be anywhere from two to four times more expensive to install than concrete patios.
Now, of course, this is going to depend on many different factors, but with that being said, on average you can expect to spend around $30 per square foot for a wooden deck, whereas for a concrete patio you can expect to spend anywhere between $5 and $15 per square foot.
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Can You Stain Over Paint
Yes, you can apply a deck stain over a painted deck. However if you use a translucent stain the old paint will show through. Because of this, most people opt for an opaque stain. So in that case why not just use paint instead. Youll get more color choices and more protection with less maintenance.
The benefits to staining over an old painted deck are price and ease. Stain tends to be cheaper than paint, even when you use an opaque one. And theyre typically easier to apply because deck stains are thinner than deck paints.
One other benefit to applying deck stain over old paint is the added protection you retain from the paint. Weather and UV rays will not only have to penetrate the new stain but also the old paint layer. This can add double protection for the wood.
Id recommend cleaning up the old paint before you apply new deck stain. Clan the paint really well and remove and cracked or chipping paint. Its better to stain a clean and dry surface than one thats dirty because youll lock in the issues with new stain. There may also be some problems with adherence to the surface if its dirty.
Pros And Cons Of A Patio
A patio is a paved area situated directly on the ground, which can either be attached or detached from a house.
| Pros of a patio | |
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Installing a patio doesnt typically require a building permit or inspections. |
More construction Patios may require more intensive construction and can take longer to install, particularly in areas with a lot of ground movement and where reinforcement is necessary. |
If you add a deck or patio to your home, its a good idea to make sure you have the necessary property coverage. Learn how a home insurance check-up can ensure your policy is up-to-date and help you stay protected.
If youre still in renovation mode after deciding on an outdoor space, check out 10 more improvements that can add value to your home.
Its also important to make sure whatever you build is safe in design. Check out this infographic below to see how safe your deck should be:
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Is Decking Cheaper Than Slabs
Whereas stone patios have been around forever, is relatively new to the UK, but even so it has become ubiquitous in a short time. It has grown in popularity so quickly because it is usually far cheaper than a patio, even if you use the best quality timber, because there tends to be less ground preparation.
Should I build a deck or patio?
If you are planning some outdoor upgrades to your property this year, you might consider whether you want a and patio. Which Is Better for Your Home?
How Much Home Value Does A Patio Add
Outdoor patios are usually cheaper to install than a deck, and yet they tout a 100% resale value. Its reasonable to expect that youll recoup your investment. Wahoo! Not many home renovations have these kinds of bragging rights.
But before you get carried away pouring concrete all over your backyard, keep in mind that only certain patios have that much resale value. The key is to add just enough of an upgrade to your yard, without going so crazy that you lose money when its time to sell.
Most families want a big yard with plenty of grass and other landscaping, so a small patio is usually more desirable than a large patio. Patios can be made from concrete, brick, tile, hardwood, or flagstones. But the cheapest option is best for maximizing resale value, coming in at an impressive $5 per square foot. Outdoor lighting and pergolas can also offer a good resale value and enhance the space while you live in the home.
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What Garden Style Are You Trying To Create
Do you like simple, clean lines or lots of interesting details and textures? If you want lots of detail and interesting features then paving will be a better choice for you. Its much easier to create interesting patterns and different textures with paving than it is with decking.
If you like clean lines and minimal detail, then decking is great for this. Minimal detail can, of course, be achieved with one size of paving but because the individual paving slabs are much shorter than deck boards, paving will always look slightly fussier than decking.
Ongoing Costs & Maintenance
In terms of cost and maintenance, decks are easier to maintain and preserve. You can easily avoid the issue of rotting by properly treating the wood, pressure washing, and routine cleaning of your deck. Additionally, the initial cost of installing a new deck is going to be cheaper than installing a new patio. With some decking materials, simple snap-in installation makes it a quick and easy process, and also reduces the overall cost of installation. Decks are not difficult to maintain. You can purchase treated materials, and you can also apply finishes, sealants, and coats, to preserve the surfaces. A patio requires regular maintenance. It is costly to install initially, and it sometimes requires additional maintenance, repair, or service down the road. All of these aspects will result in increased cost to maintain your patio. For those who simply want an outdoor space to enjoy with family and friends, for a fairly reasonable price, new decking is a better option. It is cheaper to install, cheaper to maintain, and it is not going to take as much time to install as most patios will, allowing the homeowner to instantly enjoy the new addition to their outdoor space.
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What Is The Difference Between A Porch Balcony Veranda Patio And Deck
Whether its spring, summer, autumn, or winter, its also great to enjoy the outdoor, even if its only from your balcony, porch, veranda, patio, or deck. And speaking of that, whats the difference between all these spaces. They are certainly similar to a certain extent and we often use them interchangeably. Still, this doesnt make them synonyms. There are, in fact, clear differences between all of the areas described by these terms.
How Easy Is It To Do It Yourself
Short answer: For a simple layout such as a square a rectangle decking shouldnt be too much of a challenge.
If youre handy you may be considering installing your decking or patio yourself. There are pros and cons to each when trying to do it yourself.
If you are laying a complex shape of decking it would be a bad idea to try and do it yourself.
You will need specialist equipment and are very likely to do it wrong if you have never done it before or. They can be much harder than paving to fix if it goes wrong.
That being said, the amount of material you need to shift to build decking is relatively low compared to paving. If youre building a common shape such as a square or a rectangle then someone with a good idea of what they are doing should have no trouble building some decking.
Laying paving can be quite a skill and if done poorly or result in a weak patio or or something that looks a bit of a mess.
If you want to lay your own paving you will need to shift a lot of heavy materials including hardcore, paving sabs and concrete.
On top of that you are likely to need a cement mixer and the know-how to mix cement properly.
Overall who is saved easier to lay decking dices to lay paving however if its going to be complicated its much better to get a professional to do it.
Winner : Decking
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Durability And Overall Lifespan
The simple fact of the matter is that concrete is a lot more durable than wood, and this is true in terms of water resistance, fire resistance, and impact resistance.
On average, you can expect to get well over 30 years of life out of a concrete patio, whereas a wooden deck is going to last for 10 to 20 years.
Is It Cheaper To Build A Deck Or Patio
Want to enhance your outdoor space, but dont know how? A great way to start is by understanding the difference between a deck and a patio. Its also important to learn about factors relevant to each such as costs, differences, returns, advantages and disadvantages, or both. Then, deciding which is best for your home!
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Oil Vs Stain: What Is Better For Your Decking Boards
One of the more popular questions that come from those who own a deck is whether stains or oils are the better choices.
The question is not that easy to answer because the differences between stain and oils are relatively slight but significant.
Plus, they can sometimes mean the same thing.
What is important is to understand the differences both in substance and terminology, so that you get the right product to protect your wooden deck boards.
Staining Your Deck: Pros
Another great way to color and protect your deck is stain. Its very similar to paint and accomplishes much the same things but has a very different look. Its also easier to apply and cheaper than deck paint.
Options. Use a clear wood stains if you want to show off the natural beauty of your wood without adding color. Most clear stains can enhance the woods natural color by making the grain appear darker. If you want a little extra color then use a tinted wood stain. Theyre translucent so you can still see the woods grain but with a little more color. If you like the opaque look of paint but want to use a stain then go with opaque. Many wood stains have lots of pigment which mimics the look of paint.
Accentuate The Wood. Stain is better than deck paint if you want to accentuate and highlight the wood look. This is especially beautiful with hardwoods like Ipe. A protective stain will help keep the woods natural color and prevent greying.
Stain Is Easy To Apply. Stain is easier to apply than deck paint and there are less steps involved.
Cost. Deck stain is cheaper than deck paint.
Control. Paint is opaque. When you paint a deck you lose the wood look entirely. However with stain you can control the opacity and bring out as much wood grain and color as you like.
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Will Adding A Deck Increase My Taxes
Adding a patio or deck will probably increase the resale value of your propertyso does it increase your taxes, too? It depends.
Cities have varying laws when it comes to taxes, so youll want to consult your local authorities to find out for sure. In general, adding a deck will slightly increase your taxes since it boosts your propertys value. In fact, almost any changes to the structure of the home will increase taxes, including the installation of a pool or gazebo.
This doesnt need to be a deal-breaker since the tax increase may not outweigh the resale value added. Ultimately, if you think youll enjoy your deck and get a lot of use out of it over the years, it is probably worth the investment. Just make sure to do your research so you know what to expect when it comes to local tax increases.
What Is The Difference Between Deck Paint And Exterior Paint
First off, we should explain by saying that deck paint is in fact a type of exterior paint. So we cant always argue that the two are different
However, there are some notable differences between paint thats designed specifically for wood and decking, than the paint intended for the exterior walls of a house.
Paint intended for exterior walls however does not have to have this important feature, and as such may not last as long on your decking as dedicated deck paint would.
So, we would advise that if you were to paint your deck, that you use dedicated deck paint.
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What Is Better For Deck Stain Or Oil
It should be noted that neither is better so much as one type is better suited than the other depending on the conditions and what you want out of the product.
Both stains and oils are easy to apply and will last a considerable amount of time with the proper maintenance.
If you want to keep the natural color and texture of the wood, then oils are better.
Because they bring out the surface, the deck offers better traction for footing as well.
However, they are arguably not quite as water-resistant compared to stains.
Stains provide a strong top layer that resists the elements to an arguably greater degree.
They can also be purchased in different colors and shades to change the color of the wood to your liking.
However, many people want to keep the natural color of the wood which makes stains not the best choice.
Plus, since stains sit atop the timber, the surface is slicker which means less traction when you walk.
Keep in mind that some stains only minimally change the color of the wood while some oils will change the color or tone significantly.
You will need to shop around for the right brand and ingredients you want before covering the deck.
Nails Or Screws For Deck Building
While nails have always been a necessity for at least part of the construction of a deck, there was a time when screws were just too laborious to consider. Before the invention of power drivers, nails could be pounded in quickly with a hammer, while screws required pilot holes and hard-to-use manual drivers. Nails hence were a much faster means of assembling a deck.
With the invention of the power driver, that quickly changed. With a power driver, screws could be driven into the wood quickly and with less effort, making them the fastener of choice for decking. Enter pneumatic nailers, which are faster than power drivers, and now nails again offer the speediest option for deck assembly.
Aside from speed, theres also cost to consider. Screws are generally more expensive than nails. A one-pound box of 10D three-inch galvanized nails will run you about $6 while a one-pound box of three-inch deck screws will cost you about $10. That cost difference can be significant when you figure you might need upwards of 20 pounds of screws for a 400 square-foot deck.
However, as we all know, speed and cost can often come at the expense of quality, and thats the case here. Rather than considering what will get the deck built faster and cheaper, consider what will build the strongest and safest deck.
To build a deck that is sturdy and will last many years, youre going to need both nails and screws. Additionally, you need to know when its time to use screws and when its time to use nails.
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