Advice Needed: To Build a Deck or Put In a Stone Patio?

Question

My husband and I are thinking about doing a backyard facelift and are debating between building a deck or doing a flagstone patio. We live in Seattle so we do have quite a bit of rain. I know that may play a factor. We currently have a tiny concrete slab that we will probably need to remove. SO my question is, have you built either a deck or a stone patio? Pros/cons? Would you do it again? How hard was it? How long did it take you? Thank you in advanced!

Kimberly Barney · Answer

Something to keep in mind when deciding between a deck and a patio is the maintenance. The deck will require power washing and sealant every year where a patio would not. You may not have to remove the current concrete patio to lay a flagstone patio as you may be able to lay the flagstone on top of the current concrete slab. If you are not going to go any larger with the patio, you may consider using the concrete frame to paint the flagstone design on the current patio.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I have done both. Personally I prefer wood decks, and in particular Ipe. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/the-best-decking-material-ever-ipe-this-is-a-wood-that-will-last-60-years-or-28313 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/decks/back-deck-remodel-607748 your terrain will also come into play, decks are easier if you have slope as the framing is installed on piers. A patio on the same slope would require grading terracing etc.

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers I personally prefer decks a bit off the ground - minimizes flying bugs. Maybe it is just me, but when on a ground level patio I find there are more mosquitos around my ankles. 
One recommendation I would make is to also decide if one day you want a premanufactured gazebo to sit on the deck - could affect supports but also the size of the deck to accomodate the structure. The most common size is 10x12. It took us a number of years to find one because ours is 10x10. Found one this year so our four season metal gazebo is going up in about 6-8 weeks.
Thanks for posting and do let us know what you do, with pics if you can. Love to see the creativeness of people on this site :)

LandlightS · Answer

Build a deck and finish it with RESTORE and you will have a finish that you just wash every year. They state that it has a ten year life. I used it on our deck that is over 20 years old and it looks new, The product is available at both HD and Lowes 
Gary

Sally Fuhr · Answer

A deck offers no shelter from sun, wind, or rain. Most of them don't look integral with the house, but more like an afterthought stuck on.

Ellen · Answer

I live in Vancouver, so I know about rain. I had a deck but was constantly replacing the 2x6 boards (pressure treated) as they rotted every 2-3 years, so I took the complete deck out and laid 2x2 cement pads in smooth and exposed aggregate. So much better and even tho they get green algae over the winter, I simply spread powdered Sunlight Laundry detergent and wait a few days in the Spring and they are clean like new. I laid them over a base of 4' of sand. I can sweep them, wash them down with a hose or blow all the debris off with a leaf blower, but upkeep is a breeze and they always look great.

Jan472175 · Answer

We have done both...deck adds more taxes to your house, we did a raised stone patio and I love it.

Pam Beers · Answer

Love our porch that we can use three seasons a year. Fan helps keeps air circulating.
No bugs!

Denise · Answer

I would do a stone or brick patio, given that you have as much rain as we do. Low maintenance, beautiful and pleasing to the eye. You have to treat or replace wood pretty often, subject to getting Borer and Carpenter Bees, termites, etc. With stone or brick, There are so many things you can do with them, building vignettes along a path, creatie mini gardens within the garden, etc. If you grill a lot, build a grilling area with the stone/brick. Good luck

Advice Needed: To Build a Deck or Put In a Stone Patio?

The best decking material EVER...Ipe This is a wood that will last 60 years or more...is splinter free, rot and bug

Back deck remodel

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Advice Needed: To Build a Deck or Put In a Stone Patio?

The best decking material EVER...Ipe This is a wood that will last 60 years or more...is splinter free, rot and bug

Back deck remodel

Suggested Project Book