If you are a homeowner planning a makeover for your backyard, you are probably considering the addition of a patio or deck. These choices are popular because they create a surface for outdoor seating which can be used for relaxing with your family or entertaining guests. In addition to adding usability to your backyard, a patio or deck also adds value to your home.
Choosing between a patio or deck is where some homeowners find themselves stuck. Many of our clients come to us with the question of which is a better option for their home. At Hinkle Hardscapes, we typically encourage homeowners to choose a patio over a deck. We aren’t biased, we just believe patios are the better option. We install both patios and decks all year long, but for your money a patio just gives you more bang for your buck. Continue reading to learn exactly why a patio is better than a deck.
#1. Patios are Budget Friendly:
Even if you choose the most economical materials, a deck will cost an average of $30 for each square foot if using treated wood, even more if using cedar or composite decking. Patios are more budget friendly, costing an average of $15 for each square foot. This price is a ball park number and can move depending on the size of the patio, but that gives you a good idea of the price savings over a deck.
#2. Patios are Low Maintenance:
As long as your patio is installed by a reliable contractor who knows how to prepare the ground for installation, patios are much more durable than decks. Patios are very low maintenance, requiring very little upkeep from the homeowner. The only thing that you need to do is reseal your patio once every 2 or 3 years, unlike decks that need to be sealed every year.
#3. Patios Have a Long Lifespan:
The materials used for patios are incredibly durable and they stand up to rain and extreme temperature changes better than wood used for Kansas City decks. Because of this, a properly installed patio has a much longer lifespan than a deck, averaging 20 years of virtually maintenance free life.
#4. Patios Offers Endless Design Options:
Recent advances in hardscaping allows homeowners to choose from endless design options. Not only are patios available in stamped concrete, porcelain tile, or pavers, they can also be stained or dyed to suit the homeowner’s preferences. Decks really only come in one look. They can be stained or colored for a price, but there are very few design options beside that.
#5. Patios Offer a High Return on Investment:
Both decks and patios increase the resale value of the home, but patios seems to have offer a higher return on investment. Decks typically increase the home’s value by roughly 10 percent while patios increase the home’s value by closer to 12 percent. So you pay less for a patio and it offers a higher ROI. That’s a win/win in our book.
At Hinkle Hardscapes, we offer a variety of high quality patio option to homeowners in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. To learn more about the services we offer, call (816) 608-8870 or click here to schedule an initial design consultation.
