Can't decide between decking and a patio? We look at what’s involved in installing and maintaining each one - and reveal the costs.
Being able to create space in your garden for a terrace where you can soak up the sunshine is a wonderful thing. But what is the best material to construct this new al fresco living space from?
If you can't decide between decking vs a patio, we’re here to clear things up. You’ll be choosing your timber or selecting your slabs in no time at all. Whether you opt to install decking or patio, both will require an investment of time, money and energy.
Yes, decking ideas tend to be quicker and cheaper to add to your garden, but need much more TLC as the timber settles into its new home. On the other hand, a patio is a bit trickier to install and might be more costly to lay, but needs minimal maintenance.
Despite being made of different materials, decking and patios tend to fulfil the same job – extending the level, usable space in a garden. Both can either sit beside the exterior of a house or serve as a terrace elsewhere on your plot.
Decking is crafted using a series of planks attached on top of supportive posts and joints (which are in contact with the ground). Patios are formed when stone slabs are placed onto a levelled foundation, directly on the ground.
Decking is quicker, but only just
Grab your stopwatch. It’s decking vs patio, and the clock is ticking. Which project will be finished first? “Decking is easier and quicker to install than a patio,” says Thomas Goodman, property and construction expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk.
Though not by as much as you would think, says the spokesperson for Infinite Paving. “Despite the fact that the installation of a patio has a lot of heavy materials and intricacies, if it’s done by an experienced professional, the installation can be a very easy and efficient process,” they say. “It is also worth noting that with paving, the difficulty differs depending on the surface on which you are paving.”
One excellent benefit of both patio and decking is that they can level out uneven ground. They are a particularly useful solution for tiered gardens and sloping gardens, though this does make installation trickier.
“If you are installing a deck on relatively flat ground with no changes in ground level or steps required for your deck, then it may be slightly easier to install,” says Megan Godden of Jacksons Fencing. “The foundation is paramount to a deck’s success as it provides the structure and will support the weight above. If posts or joists are not installed correctly, it could cause the whole deck to fail.
“We would always recommend using a trusted and reputable installer to ensure the install is correct, as decking is heavily reliant on the quality of the installation for longevity, durability, and functionality.”
Both can have long lifespans if they’re looked after
Goodman says that a patio will last much longer than decking. Stone is hardier than wood, of course, and these structures need to withstand the heat, frost, wind, rain and whatever else we throw at them over the years.
“The typical lifespan of decking that has been installed very well is around ten to 15 years,” says a spokesperson for Infinite Paving. “When you compare that to the 40 to 50-year lifespan of a perfectly installed patio, there is no competition. Patios are far more durable and long-lasting, and are affected much less by the constant changing of weather conditions throughout the year.”
However, Godden says that good quality timber decking that has been properly treated can last for 25 years and longer. “It’s essential that you use timber that has been treated correctly for in-ground contact when building a deck,” she adds.
“Decking posts and joists should be more heavily treated with a quality timber treatment, as these are going to be touching the ground and are therefore more susceptible to rot and insect attack.
“The posts and joists that make up the foundations of the deck are integral to the longevity, as if even one post or joist fails, the integrity of the whole deck could be compromised.”
“Look out for a long lifetime guarantee as this will ensure the manufacturer has treated the timber correctly,” suggests Godden.
A patio needs far less TLC
Even though good quality timber that’s been properly treated for ground use can have a long lifespan, it’s a fact of nature that wood needs more maintenance than stone. “Decking needs to be repainted or re-stained, resealed and power washed regularly,” says Goodman, who also adds that eventually decking may need to be rebuilt.
That’s why it’s important to know how to treat decking and to make sure that you know whether decking oil or stain is best for its upkeep.
“Decking, no matter the material, requires far more upkeep and maintenance than any type of paving,” according to Infinite Paving’s spokesperson.
“With decking, it is not uncommon to see blemishes such as splintering, splitting and – in the case of PVC decking – shrinkage and expansion of deck boards throughout the year, which can cause huge gaps within your decking.”
“Patios are incredibly low maintenance,” states Infinite Paving’s spokesperson. “All patio materials are extremely strong and durable stone, which have been sealed to provide maximum protection. A patio simply requires a simple wash every three to four months to stay looking as fresh as the day it was installed.”
“Decking should be periodically cleaned from a safety perspective but also to help with longevity, as a build-up of moss and lichen can cause it to become slippery and dangerous,” says Godden.
“We recommend a gentle washing with slightly soapy water and sponge to remove dirt and cobwebs. A very light abrasive clean, such as with a nylon kitchen scourer, can be used along the grain. Do not rub against the grain as it is likely to leave marks.
“A very light cold-water pressure washer can be used at a low setting, and held at a distance from the wood, but care must be taken not to damage the surface of the timber. The decking will lighten in colour when moss has effectively been removed.”
How much does each one cost to install?
The price of installation of course depends on the size of the area you wish to cover. Additional factors include the materials you’ll use and what state the ground is in (is it uneven?).
Godden says: “You can use a decking calculator to tell you exactly what materials you will need and how much it will cost per metre, and see where you can save.”
Checkatrade has a useful cost guide on its website. For material costs, the company estimates the following (using ballpark average figures):
Of course, if you’re also paying a tradesperson to install the decking or patio for you, you’ll need to factor in their fee. Though it’s best to contact a professional landscaper or gardening expert, Checkatrade has compiled some average costs.
“A landscape gardener will cost between £12.50-18.75 per hour, or approximately £100-150 per day,” the company writes. “A bricklayer will charge between £18.75-31.25 per hour or £150-250 per day. Patios usually take three-to-four days to lay. Labour charges for decking are similar but depending on the size and style of your decking, you can expect the job to take one-to-two days.”
There may be additional costs, such as skip hire, ground preparation materials (such as sand and weed membranes) and wood treatment to consider.
According to Checkatrade, the decking material and installation could cost a minimum of £2,300 for a non-elevated, 24 sq m softwood deck.
By comparison and based on Checktrade’s ballpark figure of £340 per sq m for materials and installation, a flagstone patio of 24 sq m could cost £8,100 on average for materials and installation.
Ongoing care affects cost-effectiveness
Whether you choose to install decking or patio may depend on your budget. If you have more money to spend initially, but then want minimal ongoing costs, then a patio is a better choice. Or if you’d rather part with less cash now, but then don’t mind investing in materials for upkeep, then decking is the way to go.
“A patio tends to cost more than decking,” says Goodman. “However, a patio will last longer than decking. With this in mind, you could end up paying more for decking in the long run. This is because decking requires regular maintenance and will need to be replaced roughly every 15-20 years.”
The spokesperson at Infinite Paving agrees, saying that paving is more cost-effective than decking. “Once your patio has been installed, if maintained properly you will incur very little or even no extra costs for the duration of its 50-year lifespan,” they told us.
According to the experts Saga spoke with, both decking and patio will “undoubtedly” help to add value to your home.
Godden notes that extending the amount of living and entertaining space in a garden with decking will attract more buyers and could increase the asking price. In a news story reported by the Express, the National Association of Estate Agents (also known as Propertymark), believes a patio could add as much as £10,000 to a property’s value.
Research from GetAgent shows that the potential for decking to add value to a house is similar to that of a patio. The average cost for a patio area or decking is £2,235, the business reports on its blog. It estimates either would likely add 4.3% to your home's value.
At the time of the research, the average UK house was £281,161. So with the increase, it would be an additional £12,090 added to your property value. After the initial outlay, you could be looking at a £10,000 profit.
Both have their advantages
Designing your garden is not always determined by how much things cost, or how easy they are to maintain. Sometimes, you just prefer the look of something. Perhaps you love the rustic appeal of ancient looking flagstones inset into a patio. Or maybe you’d relish taking care of a sleek, smart decking with stairs? If you’re still caught in the middle of the decking vs patio battle royal, we’ve rounded up the best bits about each to help you choose: