Can I cover over an aggregate patio with wood?

Hello Dori B., Thanks for asking Hometalk about this. I have heard of people doing this but my dad taught me that wood may not grow once it's cut down, but it still breathes and "feeds" (absorbs moisture and needs conditioning products to stay healthy). He loved wood of all sorts and taught his children to love and respect it too. So personally I would advise against it, because it would deprive the wood of even aspiration of air; but according to the following artcile it should be okay under certain circumstances. That being said, you will find the link below. Good luck Dori :) I hope everything works out fine for you.

https://blog.advantagelumber.com/2015/07/21/looking-to-build-a-deck-over-a-concrete-patio-read-this-first/

Of course. You would be building a low deck on a cement-type foundation. Make sure the deck is level or tilted slightly away from the house. ☺️

If you made it bigger than the old patio, pouring new footings for the deck, I would think it would be fine. You really shouldn't put anything heavy on top of old, cracked concrete. When building a new deck, you need a good base or you'll just have problems later.

If it's fairly level you could put some sand down and do patio blocks right over top of the ugliness....

Before doing any of the above, I’d suggest putting a top quality sealer on the concrete slab. Several thin layers, just on the top. Concrete is amazingly porous. If you want to cover, don’t let it become a pool underneath.

The click-together wood panels are gorgeous, but you’ll note that they stress there must be airflow. So, if you want to resurface with wood, consider ways to raise that new decking ever-so-slightly to allow that. Plastic shipping pallets?

You might run an online check for "repair aggregate patio" but you will probably be sent to sites for repairing concrete. Aggregate is managed much the same as concrete so you might be able to find something there. Good luck.