Decking or stone patio?

[SunAtLast]

Have to make a decision soon. Builders said he can raise patio and pave with stone or we could save £1k by going for decking.

Anyone have this? Is it easy to maintain?

I am having this dilemma too and was wondering if anyone has had the composite decking installed - I think Trex or something like that does it but no nothing more about it (we have a long to do list too until we get to it).

Decking is frankly a bit passé now. And apart from that, it gets slippery, needs treating, will v likely harbour vermin, and will eventually rot and need replacing.

A neighbour of ours has recently replaced rotten decking (installed by previous owners maybe 10 years ago) with composite decking, which at least won't rot, but he told dh it was ruinously expensive.

Stone would be a much better long term investment IMO.

@patiogirl
We're about to get our decking replaced with a patio (rats nesting underneath )
We had the same dilemma as you Re concrete vs natural stone. Initially I thought concrete as they were quite a bit cheaper but when we went to look at the slabs in person I could really see a difference. The concrete ones had a 'fake' look about them as they were completely uniform in texture and colour. If this is a look you want then they might work for you.
I definitely recommend going somewhere you can see them laid before deciding though.

Please bear in mind that the early part of this thread dates from 2012 - surely decking has moved on from then? (interested in the answer).

We have composite decking and I love it.
We went for decking as we wanted to raise the ground a bit outside our patio doors.
I sent for several samples and eventually settled on Millboard decking in weathered oak.
Frankly, once I'd seen it, nothing else would do.
It looks fabulous - like gnarled, wooden sleepers.
It is not at all slippy when wet and takes very little maintenance.
Just need to go over it with a soft sweeping brush and some soapy water each spring.
It can be slippy when covered in snow or ice but then so can stone pavers.
It was very expensive but worth every penny IMHO.
No rats but then DH faffs around outside in all weathers, every day, so I expect any potential rat tennants head off and find somewhere more peaceful to set up home!
www.millboard.co.uk for info.
I have no connection with the company.

@MrsFezziwig I think it definitely has in terms of the materials being more durable and practical etc.
Despite that our garden landscaper said he refuses to install decking. I just don't know how you get around the rat issue even with the new stuff.
We had rentokil out last summer who said decking is a nightmare in terms of rats nesting underneath. Next doors cat had 5 rats last week!!

We also have millboard decking and it is fabulous, and virtually zero maintenance.

Apparently rodents live underneath decking.
Stone patio for me.

@patiogirl we have this sawn mint sandstone paving on a large patio and it’s very very even. The even colour was the reason that we chose it. The one downside is that on a really sunny day you need sunglasses to look at it lol 😂
We didn’t buy ours from this company but it looks like exactly the same product as ours.
nustone.co.uk/product/sawn-mint-sandstone-paving-600x900/?attribute_pa_format=slab&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-9H9iKT74wIVF-DtCh3kzQxeEAQYASABEgL47fD_BwE

Just checked and ours is Premiastone Ivory in 600 x 900 flags.

I'm a bit nervous about the rat thing as well, especially so close to the house, I think I will investigate stone a bit more.

Is stone cheaper to get laid? I know the overall cost depends on the type and style of patio.

I'm flip flopping now. Fairly sure our cat would keep any rodents at bay as I know he already keeps them away even with a field behind us and a very old, holey, shed. But what about when he gets old. Eeek!

Never decking.

We just took our decking up (was here when we moved in) and were delighted to find a perfectly lovely stone patio underneath. One jet spray later and it's a thousand times nicer than the ugly and slippy decking.

I agree - decking only has a few years left until everyone starts to tear theirs out.

p.s. we never found any rats but our two jack russell terriers spent all their time trying to get under the decking, after something, so we definately had visitors of some description.