Patios are ground-level, outdoor features that are build directly on the base material of your yard. Patios can be made from stamped concrete, poured concrete, bricks, stones, terra cotta or tiles. The materials used for your patio and its design will need to take into consideration the base material on which the patio will be built, your climate, the functional requirements of the patio and the aesthetical requirements held by the homeowner.

Decks

Decks are raised structures that can be added to just about any level of your home. They typically are made from wood. However, new composite materials also can be used. When designing a deck, it is important to think about your climate, the deck's function, size and safety. Unlike patios, you will need to learn about building codes when installing a deck that is more than 24 inches off the ground. Many local building codes will require a railing system if your decking is raised off the ground more than a foot or two.

Patio vs. Decks

The choice between patios and decks is not always an easy one, but there are several practical reasons why you would choose one over the other. Where you want your deck and patio will help you make your decision. If you want a ground-level addition, either a deck or patio will work. However, if you want an upper-level addition to your home, you will need to select a deck.

Tree roots also can impact your decision. If tree roots have broken the surface of the ground where you want to build your addition, a deck may be a practical option, because you can build around the roots instead of removing or building on top of the roots. However, if you prefer a patio, you can add substrate material, such as sand, over the roots to raise the level of your addition. You then can set concrete, stones or tiles on top of the raised sand base.

Cost is the final consideration that you will want to make when deciding whether you should build a patio or deck. Both patios and decks can be expensive, depending on what building materials you use. However, patios tend to be slightly less expensive.