Decking or Paving? Most cost effective for do-up to sell home?

[RamblingJenny]

Hi everyone!

Just looking at tidying up our garden so that it has some back garden appeal. This is hopefully going to be a springboard house to our last property so would like to make as much profit as possible.

Probably a common question but which is better for a small area? New decking or new paving? It will be coming directly from French doors so thought either would be nice but there is a considerable drop of about 35cm - therefore thinking that a raised patio paving would be quite a hefty amount in comparison to decking?

I know these days decking gets a bad name but we never had any real issues in our old property. I’m just looking for what is most cost effective but I guess it needs to be desirable enough for people to want to buy the house too?

So which would be the better investment all rounder for a seller do-er upper? Thank you 💐

Decking will be most cost effective if you're not staying in the house long. If the deck is more than 30cm high or covers more than 50% of your garden you need PP.

Mizy: Great quick fire response thank you so much can always rely on MN :)
If it’s a small garden does the 50% rule still apply? It’s not a terrace yard, but about double that size. Still small though, but adequate.

@Mizydoscape

Could you not have a small paved step onto the patio from the french doors? (Example pic attached)

Personally I think paving is always a better solution - doesn't need yearly maintenance to keep in good condition, remains non slip in winter, no rats etc can house underneath it. IME it tends to be cheaper than decent decking too.

I don't like decking. I think it requires maintenance and can become slippery in the autumn and winter. After a while I don't think it looks that nice either.

@selflove thanks for the photo and advice. Your paving looks lovely. Can I ask what type it is? Was is a fair price?
We have two steps down at the moment, just one would be too much of a ‘drop’. Feels quite unsightly having the two, would be nice for it to be lower down so we could have just the one step like yours.

@ellyeth Thanks for taking time to reply. Leaning towards paving now 😊

I have decking and plan to rip it up next year and pave it.
Needs painted every year, slippery for DC, it rots! And of course mice etc can get underneath.
Whilst freshly painted decking looks lovely, it doesn't last long. We're on it nearly everyday.
Paving looks a lot more smarter and hassle free!

Paving for me is much nicer, but decking is by far the cheaper option.

I would prefer paving to decking

I wouldn't want to buy a house with decking. Paving us a much better option.

Wow thanks all so much, well that swings it - now who of you lot are going to give me hand!? :D

Paving.
Decking is awful

Paving.
check out build depot they have decent low ish cost options

Definitely paving. Decking always seems fraught with problems - rotting, slippery and the dreaded rodent issue.

paving all the way

We chose high quality composite decking and love it. I haven't found it to be slippy and it's easily cleaned.

I wouldn’t buy a house with decking. Paving is much nicer.

It will be coming directly from French doors so ... there is a considerable drop of about 35cm
It sometimes pays to make a positive out of a negative. How about wide, statement steps down from the patio doors to the rest-of-the-garden level. You could then arrange pots and planters on the steps. You could have a border between the house wall and the flat area, filled with plants that divert your eye from the change in level. The border could contain climbers (eg roses) to go in an arch around the door.
Something like the attached photo but (obviously!) not so grand.

Decking is a rat/fox magnet. I would avoid at all costs.