Who doesn’t want an outdoor space? Whether you’re looking to throw a party or just relax alone outside, a home with a dedicated outdoor space brings indoor comfort to the outside world. When you’re buying or building a custom home, you have complete control of such a space, allowing you to design around your dreams.

For many, it will likely come down to a choice between a deck or a patio. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and are better for certain landscapes or use cases.

For ease of distinction, let’s define the difference between a deck and a patio up front. A patio sits close to or flush with the ground, typically on a hard material such as tile or concrete. A patio is raised a significant difference off the ground, usually made of wood.

Maintenance

Patios are, for the most part, maintenance free. Their concrete foundations are strong and durable, easily withstanding the elements. That said, they do require the occasional power wash. Depending on your landscape, cracking and erosion can also be a concern.

Patios have the striking visual appeal of wood, but that comes with a catch: wood requires maintenance. You’ll have to regularly reseal the wood to make it last.

Usability

Patios have the advantage of verticality, meaning that you can effectively double or even triple your usable space. This is especially advantageous if you have, say, a kitchen door up top and a basement door down bottom. You can separate the spaces for different uses, with sun on the top level and a shady spot (maybe with a hammock!) down below.

Cost

Given their simple construction, patios are significantly cheaper than decks. An average patio can be as cheap as $6-17 per square foot…however, accents like tile – which really make a patio come to life – can quickly drive the price up.

Decks are significantly more expensive – roughly $30 per square foot – not only due to materials, but also due to the more extensive labor costs. However, decks also raise a home’s resale value much more than a patio.

Are you looking for a beautiful, luxurious custom home with outdoor entertaining space in the Triangle? Tingen Construction brings decades of experience and craftsmanship to your custom home, allowing you to design the space of your dreams! Contact us today to get started!