Decking v patio - is decking naff?

[JeffCapes]

We need a largeish area covered at the back of our extension. Our house is about 1 1/2 ft higher than the ground outside and we have big folding doors (3m wide). We have had a quote for a patio but it was £££. Would decking work instead or is it just a bit 1990's garden makeover shows (yes I mean you Mr Titchmarsh). Also, how do the prices compare? We would like the outside to be level with the inside but I'm a bit worried about it looking like a giant stage at the back of the house. Any suggestions/comments?

I suppose you could do it to tide you over for a few years but personally I think it's naff.

Patios are hideously expensive, aren't they?!

YES, the price is horrendous! I'm not sure how decking compares in price because if it's not vastly cheaper then I'm not convinced it's worth the compromise.

Last year I slid down my parents decking and hurt my back (again)- they have decking at the back garden with sloping bits for Dads wheelchair.

I would say get a patio.

I have a patio, which needs re pointing, but that is it maintenance wise. no painting, scrubbing, or anything else that decking needs.

The cost of the patio might actually turn out to be a better investment, like Jax says little or no maintenance, it's more likely to add value to your house and it'll last longer. I've had to replace decking twice now and the green slime after a long winter is hideous.

We have some stuff on our patio - it's a grout that sets like steel.

It's excellent and never cracks.

Marshalls sell it - not sure of the name.

Decking needs maintenance and is slippery as hell when wet.

I would hold out for a patio.

I've got decking on my roof terrace so I'm going to hedge my bets and say it can be nice if you get decent wood but, the yellow/green stuff from diy centres is beyond the pale.

you should get composite decking if you can afford it .... no slips, no maintenance, very strong. Expensive but worth it and probably comparable when you consider the change in levels etc.. (expensive to do for a patio if you do it properly)

If you must go for timber decking you MUST go for an ex 38mm decking and don't touch ex 32mm. Hardwood decking is great but you do need to maintain it to protect your investment.

How can I say this politely? Think about what has the potential for living underneath. We had a rat in the back, and the guy from the council said that decking really just covered up a multitude of sins. Of course it depends on what is underneath, and in our case there is a water pipe

What I don't like about decking is that I can't clean underneath (DH installed the decking before I moved in) and am trying to get patio tiles.

millions of houses have timber ground floors with equal voids below! what is living there!

here is a link re: composite decking

ecodek.co.uk/decking/

ooh ilove is right, we had our decking on a roof terrace and had terrible problems with pigeons nesting under it, when the pest control people took it up to get rid of them there were about 20 dead pigeons, several eggs and all sorts of poo and crap

Yes, I've heard that decking attracts rats and have avoided for that reason.

We have decking and I really don't like it. It was here when we moved in and it is not good quality. We have pressure washed and retreated it many times and it is a real pain.

What I dislike most is the slipperiness when wet or even just damp. It's perilous and I have fallen a few times in my haste.

I think if you are getting decking then go for the best you can afford, otherwise a hard patio.

When we get our house done we are hoping to have a hard patio.

Right, pretty unanimous then. Patio it is.