| One of the first considerations when planning an | | | | making a final decision to build a deck or create a |
| outdoor living space is whether to build a deck or | | | | patio: |
| create a patio. While decks and patios come in all | | | | 1. Topography - Soil conditions and changes in |
| forms, decks generally feel like extensions of homes | | | | elevation in relation to the home are some of the |
| while patios seem to be more integrated with the | | | | landscape characteristics that will impact the decision. |
| surrounding landscape because they reside directly on | | | | 2. Views - The need to make a spectacular view a |
| the ground. | | | | part of the completed design will affect the choice. |
| In some situations the site or location of the | | | | 3. Cost of materials - Budgetary concerns will play a |
| proposed outdoor living space will determine the | | | | large part in the decision making process. |
| choice. However, with careful planning and intelligent | | | | 4. Cost of labor - A do-it-yourself approach can |
| design work it is possible to incorporate either one. | | | | lessen the impact of a costly design project. |
| The important thing is to locate your final choice in | | | | 5. Ease of delivering materials to the proposed site - |
| the ideal place. Then it's simply a matter of | | | | Being able to transport large scale or heavier |
| establishing your wants and needs in terms of | | | | construction elements onto the site will factor into |
| budget, shape, material and size. | | | | the final choice. |
| Patios are much more versatile with regard to design | | | | 6. Availability of materials - Inability to secure certain |
| and budget since a broader variety of materials can | | | | materials that will be a major feature of either the |
| be used. Patios in general do not require railings as a | | | | deck or the patio will affect the outcome. |
| deck would which allows even more flexibility in the | | | | 7. Climate - Patios are affected by temperature |
| design process. Weatherwise, patios are able to | | | | changes especially the cycle of freezing and thawing. |
| tolerate much more water from sources such as | | | | The ultimate choice as to building a deck or creating |
| snow, rain and pools) than decks and therefore need | | | | a patio will come down to how well a homeowner |
| less maintenance. | | | | sees the chosen outdoor living space being |
| Decks are considered structures with regard to the | | | | aesthetically pleasing, providing opportunities for |
| building codes. They require building permits and | | | | maximum enjoymnet of the backyard, being a safe |
| inspections by building department personnel. Patios | | | | environment for family and friends and also adding to |
| are ground hugging landscape elements that do not | | | | the real estate value of the home and its property. |
| require building permits. Decks and patios are both | | | | Of course if making a choice between a deck or a |
| required to comply with local zoning codes in terms | | | | patio is so difficult - why not add both to the |
| of setbacks and coverage. | | | | backyard and enjoy both in the process! |
| A number of factors must be evaluated before | | | | |