Decking vs Patio

[StripyHorse]

We have quite a small back garden and want to put a patio / decking in the corner of it - probably about 3m x 3m.

We can't decide whether decking or a paved patio would be better. DH is learning towards decking because he thinks the extra height will help get a bit more sun there (our garden is slightly lower than next door's so the fence works out as over 6ft from the ground).

I think a paved patio would be better from a maintenance perspective but I do see where he is coming from, and I do like the look of decking.

We would be finding someone to fit either option as neither of us are great at DIY.

If you have decking or a patio what are your thoughts please? Would you choose the same again and why/why not?

Thank you.

We have decking built to exactly the same height as the kitchen floor so when the bifolds are open it’s seamless. I love it and it takes very little maintenance. I wanted to have the same tiles as we have in the kitchen but I’m glad we didn’t now because the ones in the kitchen that have the sun on all day get too hot to stand on (south facing)

Patio! I inherited a huge 2 level decking area When I bought the house and it’s shite. Even a tiny amount of rain and it’s a death trap. Plus you have to have it pressure washed after every winter to get the slime off and it’s a nightmare.

Having it all replaced with 2 level patio in a few weeks, can’t wait!

PATIO!

We had decking in our last house and I lost count of how many times one of us slipped over on it. I'm sure it looked lovely when the landlord put it in, but by the time we left it was a most covered death trap.

@itwasntme1 no rats under ours but some bloody enormous spiders! Unfortunately we need to replace it with more decking because half of a patio area would be taken up with steps down from our patio doors and it's nice to have one level entrance to the house.

DH has also fixed the stupid drain that shot all our kitchen water straight under the house, so this one might last longer.

@AuntImmortelle - Rat Hotel!!!
That's hilarious (and hideously accurate).

Patio. You can raise your patio just like you can decking,mines about four foot off the ground, they build a brick edging/skeleton, then fill it with aggregate, flatten it as they go, and then lay the patio basically. Depending on height you can build steps up to it. Obviously it’s more expensive than laying it flat on the ground.

But decking goes done, needs more maintenance, gets slippy, etc etc.

Just google raised patio.

Patio definitely. As others have said, decking is slippery and you may well end up with rats underneath it. Also since you mentioned gaining some height, it's worth checking out planning portal. You would need planning permission for any platform that exceeds 30cm.

Had decking. Burned it.

Get a patio!

Patio. I really dislike decking unless it is really taken care of really well. Every decking I have seen is stained and slippy and unpleasant to look at. Then again it looks lovely when it's first put down so if you take care of it it could be fine.

Wow thanks everyone. I posted this before I went to bed and thought I would have maybe one or 2 responses when I looked.

This seems pretty unanimous - a patio seems to be the way forward. I really don't want a rat hotel!

I hadn't thought about getting a raised patio, that is worth looking in to as well.

If you’re doing to get decking then get composite. Wood is a bloody nightmare.

*Please also leave a border ( of soil ) between the patio and the fence so you can plant some nice climbers up your fence. Or even some shrubs.
*

I hadn't thought of this but I do like this idea!

Patio

The cost of composite Is usually comparable to Indian sandstone. So if you’re going to do it, may as well do a patio, unless you really love decking.

In your situation raising the ground level (You mentioned wanting height) and putting slabs down is the practical approach.

If decking is higher than 30cm above the ground beneath, you require planning permission. (At least around these parts).

As pp mentioned , do spend the extra on a purpose made ‘grout’ between the slabs or you’ll have a lifetime of weeding ahead.

The garden is so small I think anything raised too high would make it feel cluttered so we were only looking at normal height decking so no planning permission needed. I think a patio (raised or not) is the best way and hopefully being outside is the kind of work we can get done fairly easily at the moment.

A photo would help us advise you better.

Thank you for the offer of extra advice! It is ok though, my question has been answered... avoid the decking! I don't want to repaint it every few years (although I do enjoy painting fences and sheds) and I really don't want rodents!

I had decking put in last year. Looked amazing last year. Looks utterly shit this year.

Go for patio

We have a raised patio and as someone said above, ours is finished off with bricks sealing the edge.

We’re about to put in porcelain tiles for a patio. Not a big fan of decking.

Patio. My old ma had some decked areas and I spent so much time every 6 months or so scrubbing it down to try to reduce the lethal slipperiness. It was honestly like an ice rink at times. North facing and in shaded area too which didn’t help at all.
So yet another saying patio - there are lovely slabs or sets available. Agree a strip of soil so you can soften the edges with planting, big pots etc.