A Natural Stone Patio versus a Wooden Deck – Which One Is the Best Choice for You?

When it’s time to renovate your backyard you may be faced with a difficult decision. Would it be best to get a natural stone patio put in or should you build a wooden deck? They both have pros and cons so it’s important to take a look at all of the factors before going ahead and making a final decision. After all, it’s not just the short-term costs or the overall look of the new renovation that should be taken into account. You’ll need to factor in the time and costs for maintenance on a long-term basis.

Not Easy to Replace
Take your time when you’re looking at your options since both a natural stone patio and a wooden deck won’t be easy to replace down the line should you ever happen to change your mind. These are both renovation projects that should be considered to be permanent. When it’s time to build a functional and beautiful space that you can enjoy outside, look at both the pros and the cons of each one carefully.

Here is a list of the major factors you should take into consideration:

• Logistics
• Aesthetics
• Prices
• Maintenance
• Durability

Pros and Cons of a Natural Stone Patio
A natural stone patio is an area that has been paved using natural stones and in most cases it is set directly on the ground. A patio may also be raised up from the ground but this isn’t commonly seen since the stones are very heavy. The patio may be detached or attached to the home.

You’ll have a wide range of stones to choose from in different colours and patterns. Natural stone patios can be made of slabs, limestone, brownstone, bluestone, flagstone or other interlock pavers. You can choose natural pavers that either match the colour of your home or ones that provide a brilliant contrast to it. Your choices are virtually unlimited when it comes time to decide on a pattern for the patio and the stones you will be using.

Pricing for Patios
In general, installing a patio is often cheaper than installing a wooden deck. Of course, this will vary from one project to the next. One thing that will influence the price is how level the ground is where the patio will be placed. If there is excavation work that needs to be done to level the area, this will add to the cost. Other determining factors include the type of stone you choose, the intricacy of the design and how much area you want your natural stone patio to cover.

Pool Surroundings

A natural stone patio is often the best choice for pool surroundings since the stones are naturally water resistant. A number of different maintenance issues arise when you use wood around a patio deck. As well, wood can get quite slippery when used for pool surroundings, which creates a safety issue. When it comes to choosing between a wooden deck and natural stone pool surroundings, the cheaper and safer option is to use interlocking pavers.

Maintenance of Stone Patios
Stone patios are easier to maintain than wooden decks since they just need to be cleaned regularly. Stone dust or sand may also need to be topped up from time to time to fill in the gaps appearing between the stones.

Pros and Cons of a Wooden Deck
A wooden deck is a platform that is an extension outwards from the home. It can be raised to various heights to create space between the deck and the ground. Since they are made of wood, there are many different options and designs available for decks. They may be made of pressure-treated, cedar, redwood or other types of wood.

PVC and composite materials can also be used to create decks but these materials are very costly. In most cases you’ll have to pay at least three times more than what you’d have to pay to install an interlocking natural stone patio.

Pricing for Wooden Decks
While you won’t have to deal with any type of excavation work if you are getting a raised wooden deck, you’ll still have to pay to get the deck off the ground. Determining factors that will affect the overall cost of wooden decks include the type of wood you choose, the size of the deck, the height off the ground and the design of the deck.

Wooden Pool Surroundings
While wooden pool surroundings can look amazing, be sure to take a look at the maintenance involved with them. The wood will need to be treated regularly and it may not be worth the time and effort involved. Natural stone pavers are an excellent choice for pool surroundings and they will pass the test of time.

Maintenance of Wooden Decks
A wooden deck will require a lot more effort in terms of maintenance to make sure that it lasts for a number of years. It will need to be washed and then stained regularly and broken boards will occasionally need to be replaced.

Natural Stone in Toronto

Once you have decided whether you want to create a natural stone patio or a wooden deck, it’s time to get an estimate. If you opt for natural stones for your patio, you’ll need to work with a trusted company that can bring your backyard renovation vision into a reality. Since this is a long-term project that you want to last for many years to come, it’s important to choose the best company to get the job done.

We are a natural stone Toronto company that specializes in interlock jobs of all types. We can help you achieve your dream of a natural stone patio that you can use for entertaining and for your family to enjoy. When you are looking for a reliable interlocking company in the GTA, think of us first. You can reach us through our website at www.egeinterlock.com and browse through the gallery of projects we have completed in the past.