Wood Decking Versus Patio Pavers

by Leroy Calstard

Decks and patios are consistently popular ways to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your own home. It is a privilege to be able to walk outside the back door and be on a secluded deck, surrounded by the trees and plants of your backyard. Many people choose to put a grill on their back patio. An outdoor dining table and chairs complete the picture. Your patio furniture should be waterproof to withstand the elements and your table should come equipped with a hole in the middle for an umbrella for drizzly days. You do not have to grill or dine on a back deck or patio however. Many people just like to keep flower pots and herb gardens on them. Bird baths and feeders work well too. But a patio does not have to serve any other purpose than being a quiet place to sit and read a book in the sunshine, just a step away from your home’s kitchen and a tall glass of lemonade.

Wooden decks are striking, but unfortunately they are expensive to build and can require a lot of upkeep. Every few years the wood has to be sanded and weather proofed. Many people find that it makes more sense for them to build patios with pavers. Pavers are like outdoor tiles or rocks that form a floor for your patio. They can be touching each other, forming one solid platform, or they can be spaced apart like steps. Pavers are convenient because they are not permanent like a wooden deck. If you get bored of their pattern or want to landscape your yard again, you can always move the pavers around. They can always be aligned differently. Decks, on the other hand, are stationary objects. You cannot exactly decide one day that you want your deck to shift position. They are too big of a financial investment just to tear down. Pavers are portable and can accommodate your ever shifting styles.

While wooden decking is exposed to mildew and rot, pavers are practically immune from weather. A paver stone is extremely resilient, even through the winter when it might be covered in snow. Pavers maintain their color and shape and do not have to be sanded regularly like a deck.

When building a deck, you must pay attention to your neighborhood zoning regulations. Most towns and cities have rules about how you can use your space, even if you paid good money for it. You also need to adhere to building codes. The last thing you want is a fine for a safety violation. For instance, if your wooden deck is two stories tall, it usually needs to have railings that small children cannot fit through to fall to the ground below. There are other codes to take into consideration as well. Before you hire a builder or buy your materials if you are building the deck yourself, make sure to check with local authorities to get approval for your deck. This will save you money in potential legal fees.

About the Author:

Leroy Calstard writes mainly for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , a web page with topics around floor installation and installing flooring. His writings on floor installation and wood flooring can be found on his website .