Patio or deck

[Fianceechickie]

Our house is on a slope, the garden is about 18 inches below the back of the house. We've just had an extension with large patio doors opening on to garden. Don't know whether to go for a paved patio (would have to have three steps down from the patio doors) or a deck which would be on same level as the dining area so could walk straight out. Any thoughts/experience?

Have you got mobility problems/babies on the way etc? If yes, then steps might not suit you.

How about getting from the patio/deck to the rest of the garden? That's something to consider- if you have a high up deck, will you need to have lots of steps into the garden? Having a patio could be a bit more gradual - 3 steps from the house and then 3 steps into the garden.

Patio. We're about to rip our deck up. It's a pain in the arse and looks really dated now. We've also had a rat problem.

Another vote for patio. Decking doesn't last forever and can get slimy and slippery.

Definitely patio. Decking does not look good imo unless it suits the type of house which you don't have in the UK.

Patio.

Patio. Decks are simply a haven for rats and get very slippery in winter.

Decks could be made of different stuff including man-made materials (very different to having a soggy, slippy wooden one).

UK? Patio.

Composite decking at the same level would be best. Wooden deck is a ridiculous idea if you are in the UK. I speak from bitter experience.
If composite is too e pensive then I would go for patio instead.

Thanks all that's really helpful. The patio guy mentioned decking partly because the ground also slopes to the left slightly as well (easier for him?!) and the whole 'bring the outside in' idea, extend the entertaining space etc but DH and I were concerned about the exact things you've mentioned...maintenance, looking dated and rats/mice which you do see round us occasionally as we back on to a field. Composite instead of wood deck has been mentioned but far too expensive. It's a very large area. Think will go for patio!