Backyard Decks and Patios - Deciding What You Really Want From Them

There aren't too many home owners around that would say they have no use for a backyard deck. Most people think of a patio or deck as a place to relax and have some fun with family and friends. The thing is a backyard deck is great, but if it doesn't fulfill your expectations then it is a useless space that will not be used very often. It then becomes something other than the fun you envisioned it to be and more of a headache then a place to relax.

Some homes are better suited for a patio than a deck, but each can serve the same purpose. You need to really think about what you want before you start building. It may be that the things you want out of your outdoor living space are not suited for what you were first going to build.

By asking yourself the right questions you'll very quickly know what you are going to need. You need to know how much you are willing to spend and how much work you are willing to put into it to maintain it. Generally speaking decks are the most affordable of the outdoor living spaces. Some require more work than others and you need to be aware of what each will entail. Some of the things you need to look into are weight capacity, for things like a hot tub a patio may be a better option for you.

You need to look into what type of weather you have. For example if you live in an area that has scorching hot sunshine you need to consider shading and other factors. Take a look at your property to see what would lend itself better to your situation. If you need to do landscaping to put in your patio you need to consider that it will take extra funds which have to be budgeted into the project. If you plan on building a deck you need to look into the different types of building supplies and decide what will work for you.

First you have composite and vinyl decking. There is no doubt that you will need a lot less maintenance with this type of material than a wooden deck as they tend to be resistant to the normal rot and insects associated with a wood deck. Most of these will stay true to form and have very little shrinkage or expansion, but some brands do have swelling in really hot weather. The cost of this type of a deck will run you up quite a bit compared to a wooden one.

Next you have the wooden deck. Pressure treated wood is the primary choice for wood decks due to it being resistant to rot and is quite affordable. You do need to understand that wood does give to the elements and whether you maintain it regularly or not it will give way eventually, though it will last much longer when maintained.

Spruce up your deck with some solar patio lights that you can pick up from Jo's outdoor deck lighting site for a real deal.

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