Deck or Stone/Concrete

KUIPORNG · 07-03-2007, 10:45 AM

My neighbour keep saying Deck is not a good idea due to its high maintenance requirement.... but I like deck for the reason you can walk on it bare foot

so would like to see what you have to say...

if I install pressure treated pine deck, and don't do those sealing/painting at all... how long would it lasts until it is not usable?... would it last over 10 years?

How about in terms of cost? what would be the material cost difference between installing interlock stones and pressure treated wood deck? per sq. feet... ratio for example...

thanks for the info...

Brik · 07-03-2007, 12:18 PM

KUI****G - I am of the opinion that wood decks are best for elevated structures, concrete, pavers, flagstone, etc are best for at, or near, grade patios. How far is it from where you exit the house to the ground? If its more than a couple of feet then you want a deck, otherwise a patio. Decks are high maintenance. Pavers and other hardscapes will last significantly longer, add more to the resale of your house and require zero maintenance. Oh, and you CAN walk on hardscapes barefoot, no problem. You can spend more on a deck, per sq ft, than on hardscapes or you can spend less. It comes down to design and materials selections and labor.

KUIPORNG · 07-03-2007, 01:21 PM

I am the case where it is less than 2 feet above grade. But walking on wood is still a better feeling than walking on stones consider the dusty and hot feeling as my backyard is facing west.... You probably right about the resale value though... but I think I will live in this house for min 10 years and want to kind of concentrate on enjoyment rather than resale value for now.... if I use interlock... I will use those common type somthing like 3"x6" rectangular stone... in terms of dollars... how much would it cost for pressure treated wood... interlock... and cedar... consider laybour = 0 as I am going to do it myself. I heard you don't need to do any maintenancce for cedar... but it is double the cost.... ? It is a next year project for me... but kind of want to make up my mind...

Brik · 07-03-2007, 01:51 PM

Do pavers. Its an easy project and will be zero maintenance for ever. Concrete is even easier (if you have it delivered) but wont look as nice. Trust me - wood is no easier on bare feet than pavers. Wood can give you splinters, pavers cant. Not sure I can give you a price comparison, you will need to do your homework. Figure a size for pavers and price out all the materials then design a deck and price out all the materials. A deck in pressure treated pine will likely come in cheaper. If you use cedar it will be similar I would guess. Cheap cedar is very splintery. Clear cedar is very nice.

Kyle · 07-08-2007, 02:52 PM

I am looking to replace my rotten wood deck and have been doing some research. This website may be of interest to you:

http://www.icpi.org/myproject/Compar...ureAug2005.pdf

Good Luck

KUIPORNG · 07-09-2007, 09:19 AM

Thanks... I will use stones... will do the digging this year and stone laying next year... as out of cash this year...

07-03-2007, 10:45 AM	#1
KUIPORNG Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,861	Deck or Stone/Concrete My neighbour keep saying Deck is not a good idea due to its high maintenance requirement.... but I like deck for the reason you can walk on it bare foot so would like to see what you have to say... if I install pressure treated pine deck, and don't do those sealing/painting at all... how long would it lasts until it is not usable?... would it last over 10 years? How about in terms of cost? what would be the material cost difference between installing interlock stones and pressure treated wood deck? per sq. feet... ratio for example... thanks for the info...

07-03-2007, 12:18 PM	#2
Brik Handyguy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 803	Deck or Stone/Concrete KUI****G - I am of the opinion that wood decks are best for elevated structures, concrete, pavers, flagstone, etc are best for at, or near, grade patios. How far is it from where you exit the house to the ground? If its more than a couple of feet then you want a deck, otherwise a patio. Decks are high maintenance. Pavers and other hardscapes will last significantly longer, add more to the resale of your house and require zero maintenance. Oh, and you CAN walk on hardscapes barefoot, no problem. You can spend more on a deck, per sq ft, than on hardscapes or you can spend less. It comes down to design and materials selections and labor.

07-03-2007, 01:21 PM	#3
KUIPORNG Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,861	Deck or Stone/Concrete I am the case where it is less than 2 feet above grade. But walking on wood is still a better feeling than walking on stones consider the dusty and hot feeling as my backyard is facing west.... You probably right about the resale value though... but I think I will live in this house for min 10 years and want to kind of concentrate on enjoyment rather than resale value for now.... if I use interlock... I will use those common type somthing like 3"x6" rectangular stone... in terms of dollars... how much would it cost for pressure treated wood... interlock... and cedar... consider laybour = 0 as I am going to do it myself. I heard you don't need to do any maintenancce for cedar... but it is double the cost.... ? It is a next year project for me... but kind of want to make up my mind...

07-03-2007, 01:51 PM	#4
Brik Handyguy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 803	Deck or Stone/Concrete Do pavers. Its an easy project and will be zero maintenance for ever. Concrete is even easier (if you have it delivered) but wont look as nice. Trust me - wood is no easier on bare feet than pavers. Wood can give you splinters, pavers cant. Not sure I can give you a price comparison, you will need to do your homework. Figure a size for pavers and price out all the materials then design a deck and price out all the materials. A deck in pressure treated pine will likely come in cheaper. If you use cedar it will be similar I would guess. Cheap cedar is very splintery. Clear cedar is very nice.

07-08-2007, 02:52 PM	#5
Kyle Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 76	Deck or Stone/Concrete I am looking to replace my rotten wood deck and have been doing some research. This website may be of interest to you: http://www.icpi.org/myproject/Compar...ureAug2005.pdf Good Luck

Deck or Stone/Concrete