How to Decide Between a Deck or Patio

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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If you're looking to add a deck or a patio to your home's exterior, you'll want to weigh your options to get what you really want. Being certain of your decision means that you'll be happy with it and that you won't be tempted to start a new project to replace it. Read on to learn how to make your decision.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Paper
Pencil

Step1

Survey the area that you are thinking about adding the patio or deck to. You'll want to pay attention to how high any entrances to the area are, how level the ground is and how big the area is.

Step2

Decide how level the ground is. If you have ground that is pretty level, then both a patio and a deck will be easy to install. If the ground isn't level, though, a deck might be easier and require less digging.

Step3

Note the elevation of any pools or water. Whether it's a swimming pool or a pond, if you want access to the water, then you'll want you new addition to be level with it. Decks will normally stand at least half a foot off the ground. If you have an above ground swimming pool, the deck will make the pool easier to reach. If a pond is one of the visual focus points in your yard, then you may want a patio that won't distract from the pond.

Step4

Decide on the look that you'd like to have. Do you like stained wood or do you like bricks and stones? A patio can use both, but a deck can usually just use wood.

Step5

Draw up some design ideas that you have for both. Take the designs to the area that you'll be building the project and decide which of your designs looks better in that location to you.

Tips & Warnings

You have to do a lot more digging when building a patio than you do a deck. If there are a lot of rocks in your ground, then it will probably be easier to build the deck.
If you decide on the patio, be sure to use stones that are slip resistant.