Deck or Patio?

[Margarita]

We are thinking about putting in a deck or patio this summer to have a bit of an outdoor living space as well as to cut down on our lawn (big lawn = high water bills).

I looked into it more than I'd planned to a few months ago because we got a 10% off coupon for a deck from Home Depot. We had a guy come over for an estimate and to see samples. HOLY COW!! We cannot afford a deck from there at all! It would have been over $10k. :eek: We just don't want to spend that much.

I also checked into stamped concrete a little bit by talking to a guy on the phone. The price is much more reasonable, at around $3-4k. I also looked at pictures of various styles online. I didn't realize how much they can do with that! There are some really nice-looking patios. I still have to find out about maintenance and durability, though.

Another option we have is for my brother to help us build our own deck. He thinks composite decking would be the best. We prefer low maintenance, but after meeting with the Home Depot guy, I'm not sure I would like that it bows with weather changes. We're clumsy enough without an uneven deck to trip on! :lol: My bro also offered to see if he could do stamped concrete, too. I don't know how DIY that is, though.

So, my question is, what do you have - a deck or patio? Would you do the same again? If you don't have either, what would you get? Is either one better/worse for resale value?

[jana]

My friends have a stamped concrete patio, and it looks really nice. It has some cracks in it just like concrete anywhere else, but it looks just fine with the pattern of the stamping.

We have a composite deck (with wood railing) and we love it! A big board of composite is somewhat flexy before it's installed, but as long as you have it drilled down onto the supports, the bowing shouldn't be a problem at all. If you jump up and down on our deck, you'll notice a bit more "give" than wood, but I don't jump on our deck very often. :) Imo it's totally worth it to avoid the maintenance of sealing wood every 6mo-year. Plus ours is fire-resistant and is in a pretty reddish-brown color that looks just like cedar.

I don't know anything about resale of one vs. the other, but a deck could be removed more easily than jackhammering a concrete patio if the future owners didn't want it. :huh: (But who wouldn't want a gorgeous patio or deck? :D)

[Margarita]

Thanks, Jana. It's good to hear from someone who has a composite deck and likes it.

Anyone else? This is such a big purchase, I want to be happy with it!