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What Is The Difference Between A Deck And A Patio

Tips For Designing & Styling Your Porch

Patio or Deck?
  • Since porches are intended to be more of an inviting space, decorate it with unique, eye-catching items and furniture that offers comfortable seating.
  • Use paint with warm and relaxing hues, since your porch will likely be the first thing your guests see upon arriving at your house.
  • If you want to get use out of your porch even during the winter months, you can have walls and windows installed to ensure its use year-round. Closing in this space can also allow you to make your porch functional beyond a simple entryway.

Pros And Cons Of Patios

Pros: Patio installation can be more affordable and easy, especially if you choose an inexpensive material like concrete or gravel.

Cons: The materials used for patios are often heavy, and it can be taxing to DIY. Whats more, if you have to level or grade the ground underneath, you may need special equipment. Adding a full or partial roof can also increase the costs of building a patio, but could also improve its ROI.

Pros And Cons Of A Deck

Pros of a deck

Theres a 76% return on investment for a wooden deck on average, higher than all indoor home renovations.

More maintenance


Depending on the material, decks need to be power washed, stained and sealed every couple of years.

Works well on uneven terrain Shorter lifespan

Wood is more susceptible to weather and can rot over time, as well as fade and become discolored if not properly treated.

Good for a view

Since a deck can be built off the ground, it serves up a better view, which can increase your homes value.


Possible permit

Many towns and cities have different terms and may require a permit before building a deck, which may mean a fee and waiting period.

Easily customizable

A wooden deck can be painted or stained to the color or shade you desire. It can even be stained to match the exterior design of your house.

Expensive


While the price depends on the material, decks are usually more expensive, with an average cost of $30 per square foot for high-end decking material.

Comfortable in heat

If you live in a warmer climate and your home gets a lot of sunlight, wooden decks naturally absorb and retain less heat.

Weight restrictions

Consider weight when it comes to the design of your deck, specifically when you want to add a hot tub or outdoor kitchen.


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What Is A Deck

A deck is an outdoor platform without a roof. You can build a deck in one of two ways: either as a freestanding deck or a ledger-framed deck. As its name implies, a freestanding deck isnt attached to the home or other structure. A ledger deck attaches to the home with ledger board.

A deck often provides a view, while a patio is better suited to creating a sense of privacy in your clients outdoor space.

Characterizing Patios And Decks

Difference Between Deck Porch and Patio

First off, we should characterize them. The deck is a Spanish word, which implies it is a patio of a house or building. A patio is customarily an open space encompassed by dividers or different designs or is a space of ground nearby a structure.

A porch contrasts from a yard in that it doesnt need to be encircled by dividers. Its like a patio in that an open space can be arranged straightforwardly on the ground.


Most porches are set on a substantial chunk or a sand and stone base. Since porches are worked at or around ground level, they dont need security railings.

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What Is Difference Between Patio And Deck

A deck is an open outdoor porch or platform without a roof that extends from a house. On the other hand, a patio is a paved area situated directly on the ground, which can either be attached or detached from a house.

Furthermore, Can I build a deck directly on the ground? Yes, you can build a deck directly on the ground, but with some conditions. The selection of material is critical in building a deck on the ground level not so much the decking but the substructure. The wrong joist and beam material in contact with the ground will quickly rot, making your deck, garbage.

Secondly, Does a patio add value to a home?


A dining area, dry laid patio, a patch of gravel, a covered patio or an above-grade deck: According to SmartMoney.com, a landscaped patio raises the value of your home by 12.4 percent. Todays best-selling improvement is a backyard terrace that abuts the family room.

Is a patio worth it?

That said, its estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%. A better option for most homeowners, however, would be to refinish or repair an existing patio, as repair estimates average around $1,400. This can provide an ROI of nearly 500%.

What Is The Difference Between A Deck And A Patio

A patio is a paved out of doors house adjoining a area, generally used for dining or sport. The term comes from Spanish the place its meaning is other . Common fabrics employed when construction a patio come with concrete, stone, bricks but also tiles or cobbles.

Similarly, you might ask, is there a difference between a deck and a porch?


Porches and are very an identical in construction. The main difference between the two is that a porch has a roof and is at least partly enclosed, while a is completely open. So, the set up procedure to construct the or porch itself is basically the same. , however, do not need these.

What is the difference between a porch and a slump?

A porch is a roofed area out of doors, but connected to, the partitions of the space. A droop is the set of steps leading from the sidewalk or side road both to the entrance of a building, or to the porch connected to the building.

What is a porch in a house?

In northeastern North America, a porch is a small area, most often unenclosed, at the main-floor peak and used as a sitting house or for the removal of working clothes in order to not get the home’s interior grimy, when the front door is accessed by the use of the porch.

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What Is The Difference Between Patios And Alfresco Area

Many homeowners want to maximize their outdoor living areas by putting up wonderful patios and alfresco. These two additional home structures are a perfect transition between the outdoor and indoor areas of the home. Over the last decades, both of these features have evolved into very useful and sophisticated structures that are a real asset to your home.

Ever wondered what the difference between a patio and an alfresco area is?

General Considerations For Porches

Backyard Patios vs Decks – Which is Better?
  • Porches can be made to perfectly match your home in every way, every detail. That said, when made of wood, they bring the maintenance requirements of wood.
  • All homeowners appreciate increased living space, especially when its well-designed. Huge increases to curb appeal.
  • The one major consideration with new porches is their initial construction costs. Depending on the size, scope, and complexity, they can cost tens of thousands.

That said, lets switch gears and look at a couple of patio examples. Keep in mind these are both on the more extravagant end. The major differences are again, location and the open-air space.

Patio Example #2 | HGTV | The DIY Network

Another nice quote from Lisa Taylor,

The word patio comes from the Latin word patere, which means to lie open. Originating in Spanish or Spanish-American architecture, it is often an outdoor space that is open to the sky, although it can have a protective structure overhead. During the 15th century in Spain, square central patios surrounded by galleries and porticos became popular.

Generally, youre going to pay less for a patio than a porch. The installation shouldnt take as much time either, as long as there arent any foundation or grading issues. Patios can also be a bit more expansive. You wouldnt usually see a porch extending so far out from the home as some patio areas go.

In our area of the country, as in others, critters and insects are also a concern with patios.

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What Is The Difference Between A Porch And A Deck

How you decorate your outdoor living space in a way that makes it both beautiful and functional can sometimes depend on the specifics of your homes existing exterior. Porches and decks share a few things in common: they provide space for people to enjoy the outdoors, they add value to your home, and they both consist of, at minimum, flooring and railings.

Their differences, however, are more plentiful.

Structural And Terrain Requirements

Patios dont have weight restrictions, while decks do. Not only do you need to account for the live load weight , you may also need to account for the snow load if you live in an area with heavy snow in winter. This can impact the deck framing and footing design.

Terrain is not an issue when it comes to decks. Patios, on the other hand, must be flush with the ground. Depending on the slope of your clients yard, there may need to be extensive grading work before installing a patio. This requires either heavy machinery or a lot of muscle and may involve subcontractors to help you get the job done.

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What Is The Difference Between A Patio And A Porch

  • A patio is a paved area commonly adjoining the house while the porch is usually an extension of the building
  • A patio is usually an open space while a porch is covered or semi-covered
  • A patio is situated mostly in the yard or within the garden while the porch is built at the entrance or the exit of the house
  • Patios are generally at ground level while the porch is usually above the ground
  • The patio area is design to be an avenue for fun and feast while a porch can be used as a waiting or receiving area.

Pros And Cons Of A Patio

What

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

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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The Difference Between A Porch Balcony Veranda Patio And Deck

Having a pleasant, well-designed outdoor haven is a for all homes and all seasons. Some of us have porches, others decks, balconies, a front patio, backyard porch or veranda.

While most people tend to interchange these terms , each of them has its own features and specifications. That is exactly what this article is trying to explain.

Lets go through them together, and try to determine which one would be the best solution for our home.

Is Veranda The Similar As Balcony

Balcony Vs Veranda As discussed above, a veranda is a lined structure located on the flooring degree of the house. It is most often connected to two or more facets of the major construction. On the other hand, a balcony is an increased platform affixed to a given room on the higher flooring of the building.

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Cost Of Building A Deck Vs Patio

Is a deck or patio cheaper? Once again, comparing deck vs patio cost in an accurate way requires looking at several elements. The main differences come down to material cost, the size of the job, the location of your project, and any extra features you want to include, such as built-in seating, multiple-levels, or embedded lighting.

For example, building a ground-level patio is less expensive than a raised patio. Likewise, an ordinary deck that consists of flat, straight lines is typically less expensive than a floating deck, raised deck, or a deck that has a rounded shape. Additionally, constructing a patio on uneven terrain can considerably increase the price of the project due to the amount of labor required to level the land.

That said, the average cost of adding a 15×15 patio is roughly between $2,000 and $5,000 . By contrast, the average cost of building a deck of comparable size is somewhere between $4,000 and $9,000. To put it another way, it costs roughly $30 per square foot to build a deck and roughly $15 per square foot to build a patio. However, directly comparing patio cost vs deck pricing can be misleading. While patios are often cheaper in the short run, theyre not necessarily cheaper in the long run.

Similarities Between Patios And Decks

Rolled Deck versus Finished Deck on a Skimmer Skiff 14’6″

Both patios and decks are outdoor or backyard spaces that define activity areas and guide you from one space to another. Other traits they share:

  • A cover or pergola can be built over either for shade or privacy.
  • An outdoor kitchen can be located on a patio or deck.
  • Both can accommodate fire pits, although a fire feature placed on a deck will need a fireproof material separating it from the wood deck, such as concrete, ceramic, porcelain, etc.
  • A patio or deck can surround a pool or spa.

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Should You Choose To Build A Deck Or A Patio

When deciding whether you want to build a deck or a patio, consider the layout of your yard, the shape and size of the structure, and what purpose it is serving.

Patios are ideal for yards that are flat , and for homeowners wanting privacy. At ground level it is easy to block neighbourhood views with plants or furniture. If you are wanting to incorporate the landscaping into your design, patios can be surrounded by flowers, and trees. Patio pavers require less maintenance to clean than wood or composite decking, so if lifespan of your outdoor living space is important to you, this is something you should consider.

Both decks and patios offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Each backyard space provides homeowners with different options when it comes to how they can enhance their space, and what structure to build.

What Should You Do When Something Goes Wrong

If you have a wooden deck, youve probably encountered some of the following issues:

  • Nails starting to poke up: Pound in the nails to make them flush with the boards.

  • Boards warping: Repair or replace damaged boards.

  • Water pooling on the deck: Boards making up the floor of the deck should be well spaced to allow water to run away between the boards. Most experts say you should design your deck or patio with a space of 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch between each board. If youre in an area with lots of trees overhead, the gaps between the boards could get plugged with leaves or needles, and may need to be cleaned out periodically.

  • Discoloration due to moisture and bird droppings: Its a good idea to clean up spills and bird droppings as soon as you see them.

  • Mildew: Use a good deck cleaner to remove mildew.

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What Is An Outdoor Deck

A deck is an off-ground platform built on top of the ground. The height of an outdoor deck can range from a few inches above the ground to a height high enough to warrant even an entrance staircase to the deck. When an outdoor deck is more than 3 feet above the ground, the building code requires a to be in place to ensure the safety of the user.

Decks can be built in the front, back or side yard of a home, or they can be built around the house. Of course, they can also be freestanding structures that are not attached to the house. Whether they are attached to your home or not, decks are often considered an addition to the home to enhance the value of the home, rather than a central part of the homes architecture or design.

What Is The Difference Between A Deck And Patio

Top 4 Differences Between Decks and Patios

A patio is a multi-purpose outdoor space thats typically delineated by concrete, brick, stone, tile, or another paved surface. Patios are usually built directly at ground-level, often working with the slope of their land, or because they may be less expensive compared to building an elevated or multi-level deck. While many patios can be built directly off a house, they can also be set in the middle of the yard as a stand-alone oasis. Patios also tend to lack railing, as its not a required feature on ground-level structures and dont require stairs.

But what is the main difference between deck and patio? Although decks can be constructed near ground level, theyre typically built with some kind of support system to raise the platform.

Its often a bit easier to maintain a patio, especially compared to a lumber deck. However, a deck can be constructed with materials that level the playing field. Thats why comparing composite decking vs concrete patio, or a composite deck vs paver patio, can be quite difficult. Its not merely a matter of comparing material costs you also have to look at factors like upkeep requirements and resale value return on investment if you plan to sell your home.

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