Decking Vs Patio

[sweetheart]

We have just finished the extension on our house and now need to turn our attention to the garden. We have 2 french doors at the rear of our extension which are 50cm high from the ground - further along the building we also have a back door which is only 30cm high from the ground. We basically have 3 options - steps out the french doors onto patio, build the entire patio up to the correct height or build decking to the right height. My dream idea I guess is the built up patio but it is by far the most expensive option and would be very labour intensive getting all the hardcore to the rear - we only have a small alleyway so would have to wheelbarrow the entire lot round the house.

Any thoughts of ideas to help me clarify. I really didn't want decking but I do love the idea of opening my french doors onto something raised rather than the steps option.

The size is approx 9m x 4m

[namechangedtoday15]

We're looking at composite decking as will be in a similar situation - although we don't have a patio but house will be higher than garden so need to do something. Apparently its non-slip (or as close as you can get to non-slip), doesn't fade, doesn't need the maintenance that wooden decking has. It is expensive though but then everything to do with the garden seems to be.

[PigletJohn]

decking is currently fashionable, so in years to come will presumably be unfashionable. But by then I expect a lot of it will have gone rotten anyway.

I have heard good reports about the plastic composite.

Rats like to nest under decking, if that matters, especially if there is a source of water and a rat table bird table nearby.

[JT05]

Go for the patio! We put in decking as the cheaper option, over £1000, DIY 8 years ago. The next door neighbours had Hamsters, and bird feeders, outdoors in the summer. Then came the rats!

We wished we had dug up the concrete and put down a patio! Also the maintenance was far more than the beech worktop in the kitchen!

[Twinkie1]

Rats are a huge issue with anything with a void underneath. Foxes too!

[DiggersRest]

We have a patio and l really like it. But then l really don't like decking. I'd take the steps over the decking, sorry OP.

[Hiahia]

How about wide and deep (in length) but shallow (in height) steps? then you can put pots either side of the doors/steps, which could look quite pretty and be quite comfortable to walk up and down?

[ijustwannadance]

Our decking is bloody lethal when wet and a ballache to clean. I'd go with patio.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

Bloody hate my decking.