What Is a Patio?

Many people often confuse a patio with a deck or porch, but these are three entirely different things. While the patio is an outdoor area like a porch and deck, it is typically a paved area that is outside of the home and not attached to it. When constructing patios for clients, it is common for contractors to use concrete, bricks, and even assorted stones that were selected by the clients.

The purpose of having a patio is to have an outdoor area where you can sit, eat, and relax. Many people with patios like to host parties and gatherings with their loved ones where they are preparing food and serving it outdoors. Once there is the patio, homeowners may invest in items for those patios, including outdoor furniture, that they can leave outside and use whenever they want to sit outdoors.

Not all patios look the same, and some are much bigger than others. It does depend on the space available to the homeowner. One thing that most patios have in common is that they are found in the back of the home and may even be situated near a deck.

What Is a Deck?

A deck is a structure composed of wood that does not have a roof attached to it. As a homeowner, you can get a deck installed on any specific area of your home. Some people like to have a deck in their backyard, while others prefer having a deck that is off to the side of the property. It all depends on the location of your home and the amount of space you have available to get this type of addition constructed.

Decks come in all different sizes and shapes. Before getting a deck installed, you would need to have measurements taken to determine how much space you have available to work with in the first place. You may want a large deck to have plenty of room for a grill and chairs that you will have out for guests to sit on when they visit you. In addition to getting a deck that is the perfect size for your personal space, you will also need to decide on the shape, style, and colour of the deck.

The Benefits of a Backyard Deck

Decks are versatile additions to your backyard. A deck is an open outdoor platform without a roof that extends from your home. Decks are framed with a railing, and provide exceptional space to enjoy outdoor views while entertaining. They are customisable to meet your needs and provide the ideal space for you, your family and friends to enjoy. They can be constructed near the ground, off the lowest floor of your home, or even added to an upper level of your home.

Decks are a greater initial investment than patios, but they offer a higher percentage rate of return on investment, making them well worth their price tag. They don’t need specific terrain to build them, making them ideal for sloped or uneven yards. They are made of materials such as:

Wood—The most traditional decking material, but keep in mind it needs regular maintenance to protect your investment and prevent wood rot.

Composite—Today’s homeowners enjoy the benefits of using composite materials for decking because they get the appearance of wood without the needed maintenance wood requires. Simply clean the composite material regularly, and your deck will look and function beautifully for years to come. Composites use little wood and don’t need harmful chemical treatments to maintain them.

Deck Features

Decks offer homeowners the opportunity to create the ideal space for outdoor enjoyment. Features include items such as:

Built-in barbecue grilling area
Beautiful railing surrounding the deck
Deck supports to accommodate uneven backyard terrain
Customised paint or stain to complement your home exterior

Deck types

Ground level decks—This popular deck style is located only a few feet above the ground, or close to the ground, and is located adjacent to your home.
Floating deck—If the ideal deck placement on your property isn’t adjacent to your home, consider building a floating deck. A floating deck doesn’t attach to your home, and offers great entertainment opportunities at the optimal backyard location.

Why homeowners choose to add a deck

To design a space to relax and enjoy the outdoors
To make the best use of their sloped yard
To create an outdoor entertaining space
To create a place to enjoy the sun that’s comfortable even in the heat
To enjoy a spectacular view

Cons of an outdoor deck

Decks require more maintenance than patios. Their material will dictate what needs to be done to keep them beautiful and in good working order. Traditional wood decks need to be washed, re-stained and re-sealed regularly.
If wooden decks are not maintained properly, they can rot. If moisture penetrates the deck material, wood rot can set in and damage it.
Permits may be required. Check with your city to determine if you need a permit before building a deck.
If adding a hot tub or outdoor kitchen, weight restrictions should be considered. Before you build, factor in the weight of a hot tub or outdoor kitchen if you plan to add them to your deck because there can be weight restrictions on a deck.

Patios

The Simplicity of a Backyard Patio

A patio is an outdoor paved area located on the ground. It is often attached to a home and located just outside the back door, but patios also have the ability to be poured in a separate part of a backyard—detached from your home. And they don’t have a rail surrounding them (like decks do).

Patios may or may not be covered; they are less costly than decks, offering homeowners a practical option to add value to their home. There’s no need for a building permit or inspections, making a patio easy to install with fewer steps involved. Depending on the look you desire, patios are typically made of one of the following:

Concrete—This is the most popular patio material, and offers homeowners great value.

Stone—For a high-end look, and a greater investment than concrete or brick, this durable option gives your backyard a sense of style you’ll enjoy while entertaining.
Brick Pavers—This aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting option gives homeowners a beautiful space to enjoy for years to come.

Gravel—An affordable patio option with easy installation.

Patio Features

Patios come in any size you desire. Many of today’s patios feature inviting perks such as:

Fire pit
Built-in barbecue
Sitting area
Table and chairs for meals

Why homeowners choose to add a backyard patio

To enjoy an easy-to-maintain backyard patio space (there’s no need to stain or paint a patio)
To appreciate a durable investment that gives them enjoyment for years to come
To take advantage of a budget-friendly way to add to their backyard’s function
To make the best use of level ground in their backyard
To create an enjoyable space and increase their home’s resale value

Cons of a backyard patio

They are more expensive to install if your yard is sloped. Creating a level foundation can add significant cost to a patio installation.
They can crack if the soil under them was not properly prepared. When the outdoor temperatures are extreme, if a patio’s soil was not properly prepared before it was poured, the patio can crack.
They can be hard to clean if they absorb stains. Things like wet leaves or food can be difficult to clean from a patio’s surface.
They need ample preparation before installation. You must grade the land appropriately before installation.

At RDK Hardscaping, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners transform their home into a place they can enjoy. We serve Rochester, Buffalo area homeowners with excellence.

Caring for Patios and Decks

Unlike a concrete or brick patio, a wood deck needs to be maintained yearly to preserve its beauty. This might require scrubbing or sanding. If the deck has gone too long without regular care, it might need to be refinished or painted. Either one will require prep to make sure there aren't any loose nails, screws, or boards. It should also be sanded or refinished to ensure there are no peeling pieces of wood that could cause splinters. A variety of deck products are available, depending on the scope of the repair project.

Depending on the material, a patio will also need to be maintained, although doesn't require the same level of attention as a deck. Bricks might need to be replaced, pea gravel should be cleaned and raked, and concrete might need to be cleaned to get rid of mold or mildew.

Keep Your Outdoor Living Space Looking Its Best

Having a deck, porch or patio can be a wonderful addition to any home—no matter whether it’s for curling up with a good book, entertaining guests, or throwing a summer barbecue. Unfortunately, the space is exposed to the natural elements, meaning when it rains, snows or gets windy, your deck, porch and patio bear the brunt of the damage. Fortunately, we offer professional porch repair services for all your outdoor living spaces.

Some common problems decks, porches and patios include the following:

Wood is loose, cracked, or rotten.
Boards become too pliant.
Handrails become loose.
Support posts or concrete footings can become aged and weak.
The structure may cause drainage or erosion issues
Rodents or vermin are causing problems

Patio, Deck and Porch Repair That Lasts

RDK can fix all of these and more. When you call, we will arrive at your home, inspect the damage, and perform any porch repairs to ensure the area is usable, safe, and beautiful. We can also repair any of your deck and patio fixtures, such as fire pits, built-in barbecues, sitting areas, and more! Our repair services will take care of all the necessary repairs for a deck that looks great such as:

Board replacement
Railing replacement
Grading and drainage issues
Footing installation
Stair replacement
Screen and window repair

RDK can take any of these tasks off your to-do list. That way, you have more time to enjoy the lovely spring weather. One call really does take care of everything on your to-do list. Make sure to stay on top of all your household repairs, improvements and maintenance needs and request service now online.

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