Wood Deck vs Cement Patio: What’s More Economical?

If you are looking to build a new outdoor space on your property, there are two options that will be more economical than the others. Cement patios and wood decks both offer their own benefits, but which one is better? Which is less expensive?

It’s hard to answer these questions without knowing what size each of them would need to be for the desired effect.

Which is cheaper a wood deck or a concrete patio? In general, cement patios are typically cheaper, while wood decks tend to be more expensive.

If you have a low budget and prefer cement over wooden material, concrete patio designs can suffice as an alternative.

A cement patio can range anywhere from $1 per square foot up to $10 per square foot depending on its size, while a wooden deck typically costs between $5-$40 per square foot depending on how much customization is required.

What Is A Wood Deck?

A wood deck is a raised platform attached to the exterior of your home. Wooden decks may stand alone or connect with another part of the building.

It can be built on top of an existing concrete slab or directly onto soil, but it must have sturdy support ledgers attached to the structure so that movement in the foundation won’t cause warping and buckling problems for floorboards.

Wood decks are often used as platforms for patios, porches, sunrooms, and pools too.

They may also function as walking paths around homes or outdoor entertainment areas where you entertain friends during pleasant weather months out of year.

What Is A Concrete Patio?

A concrete patio is a slab of poured cement that’s used as a surface for outdoor living areas. The reasons people use this type of patio are pretty basic: they’re durable, easy to maintain, and affordable compared to other types of patios.

A cement slab is the standard material that goes into making a good concrete patio but there are others available depending on how much of an upgrade you want over this basic option.

Read More: Cover Brick Patio With Cement + Cost Calculator

Which Option is Cheaper Deck Or Patio?

A standard concrete patio will be less expensive than a wood deck in most cases. When it comes to choosing a deck or patio, the main factor that you should consider is price.

However, there are other factors besides cost to take into consideration when making this decision.

Installation

One of the main factors is how difficult it will be to install your deck or patio. A standard deck is usually more expensive, but if you have someone do the installation for you it could cost less than a patio.

If installing yourself there are many resources available including videos and step-by-step guides.

Patios may require some excavation work which can increase costs depending on what type of soil you have in your yard as well as whether or not existing concrete needs to be broken up first.

So factor this into any calculations before making a decision about where to put down flooring.

Material Cost

Material costs for a patio or deck vary depending on the material and size. A professional can give you an estimate once they see your property, but as a rough guide these are some of the materials that may be used:

Decks

The cost of building a deck will be determined by the size of the deck, the materials used, and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. A 16-foot by 20-foot deck may cost anywhere from $7,500 to over $15,000 depending on the materials utilized.

If you construct the deck yourself, you may save a lot of money. Decking materials cost between $1.75 and $5.50 per linear foot, while post and joist materials cost between $4 and $8 per square foot.

Patio

The cost of building a new patio is determined by the material used to construct it and whether any leveling or groundwork is required before installation. The price of a 16-foot by 20-foot patio ranges from $2,500 to $9,500 depending on the materials utilized and the labor involved.

Patios, on average, cost less to install than decks. That’s simply half of the tale, though. Patios may still cost more to install than decks depending on the materials utilized.

Maintenance

Maintenance costs of a deck are generally higher than those of a patio because decks require regular staining and sealing to ensure it stays in the best possible condition.

Patios, on the other hand, don’t generally need this type of treatment. All you need is regular pressure washing to prevent growth from moss growth or discoloration due to insufficient drainage.

Some common problems associated with decks include rotting boards due to moisture damage and warping because they aren’t sealed against weather elements such as rain and snow.

With patios, though there isn’t much concern about rot or splitting; it’s mainly just a matter of the patio material cracking, breaking or shifting over time.

What Is Better A Patio Or Deck?

The first thing to do is decide what you are looking for in your outdoor space. Do you want a patio or a deck?

The main difference between the two structures is that decks rest on top of the ground and are normally made of wood while patios sit on ground level and are made out of concrete slabs, pavers, or blocks.

Which could be an advantage if there are problems with drainage where you live. If it rains often, this may not be ideal as water will collect beneath the slab and can cause damage over time.

Patios also tend to stay cooler during hot summer months due to their close proximity to the soil level.

What Is The Cheapest Material For A Patio?

Concrete is the cheapest material for patios in most cases because it can easily be molded into many shapes and requires less maintenance than other materials like natural stone, brick, or pavers.

It also does not require adding additional surfaces to keep weeds at bay; concrete has no holes, crevices, cracks, or seams where weed seeds could take root.

Tips To Help You Build Your Deck Or Patio.

• Choose a design and material that fit your needs. Decide what you want to use the deck for like entertaining or lounging around in the sun, this will help determine how big and what materials would be best.

• Remember safety is very important when choosing building material; make sure it can support all people who will be on it at one point including children and pets. Make sure there are railings too!

• You don’t have to build from scratch if you choose not to, many companies offer prebuilt decks which could cost less than having someone custom built one just for you. This may also save time since they ship them straight to your door so no construction hassles unloading everything!

• Make sure you have good foundations for the deck or patio. It’s best to go with concrete as it is sturdy and nonflammable.

• Another option is building one out of stones rather than poured cement; this could reduce construction time by up to half the total estimated hours needed. This might cost more overall though since rocks are expensive compared to getting ready mix shipped right to your doorstep.

• Make sure there is proper drainage if needed as well by digging out an area around where the base will be built then fill with dirt or sand before pouring concrete into those areas making walls which prevent water from pooling up on the surface of your new deck or patio. This could cause rotting especially during wet seasons like spring time when snow melts rapidly causing flooding conditions .

• Other options include having gravel placed down along with wire mesh planks which allows water to pass through the mesh and onto a drainage system below. This is a very inexpensive option but can be hard on your feet if gravel gets mixed in with sand or dirt, so make sure you have an area of decking boards that people can stand instead .

• Check local building codes before starting construction as some areas require permits for decks and patios while others don’t allow them at all depending on zoning laws.

• Make sure everything is level and firm before adding any decks or patios, if the base is built from cement then make sure to use a laser leveling guide in order to properly draw lines onto the ground where you will need to place boards for support. This could save you time later on by not having bad measurements when building it out of wood .

How Much Does A 27×27 Concrete Patio Cost?

Installing a 27×27 concrete patio typically costs between $2,000-$2,500 depending on size, materials, and labor cost in your area.

Concrete patios are a popular choice for homeowners that want to add outdoor living space. Concrete is durable and can be molded into any shape or design desired.

How Much Would a 20×20 Concrete Patio Cost?

A 20×20 concrete patio costs on average $2,000 to $7,000. $12 per square foot, but labor and other fees may bring the total to around $15-$17/sq.ft.

For a three-inch thick poured slab of concrete that has no decorative features or coloration, this price is fair and reasonable.

The high cost comes from not only having to pay for the materials themselves (including those used for edging), but also because pouring such large areas requires more time than smaller jobs would involve as well as extra equipment like screeds and finishers with larger squeegees.

Conclusion

The type you choose will depend on the needs and wants of your property, as well as which material is more economical.

Wood decks are generally more expensive than cement patios because they need more labor to install.

If you’re looking for a quick fix that doesn’t require much time or money, a cement patio may be the best option for you.