Outdoor living comparison
Deck vs Patio: Cost Comparison
A patio sits on the ground and a deck is a structure. That is why the cost gap is so wide, and it is also why the slope of your yard usually decides this before your budget does.
Deck
$25 to $60 per sq ft installed
Patio
$8 to $30 per sq ft installed
| Feature | Deck | Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per sq ft | $25 to $60 | $8 to $30 |
| Typical 300 sq ft | $7,500 to $18,000 | $2,400 to $9,000 |
| Suits sloped ground | Yes | Needs grading or retaining |
| Permit required | Usually | Sometimes |
| Maintenance | Sealing or staining wood, cleaning composite | Low |
| Lifespan | 15 to 30 years by material | 25 years or more |
| Level with the back door | Yes | Only if grade allows |
| Resale appeal | Strong | Strong |
Deck
- Works on sloped ground where a patio would need retaining walls
- Can sit level with the back door for easy access
- Space underneath can be used for storage on a raised deck
- Strong resale appeal
- Two to three times the cost
- Structural work needing permits and inspection
- Wood decking needs regular sealing
- Framing and fasteners eventually need inspection and repair
Patio
- Lowest cost per square foot
- Very low maintenance
- Long lifespan, especially with pavers
- No structural failure mode
- Needs reasonably flat ground or expensive grading
- Steps up to the house door unless grade is right
- Cold and hard, and can hold water if graded poorly
- Concrete cracks over time
The verdict
Choose a patio on flat ground where the back door is close to grade, and put the money saved into the surface material or into shade. Choose a deck on a sloped site, where the door is well above grade, or where you want a level outdoor floor continuous with the house. A deck is a structure with a real failure mode, so it needs a permit, correct footing depth below the frost line, and proper ledger attachment and flashing where it meets the house. Ledger failure is the classic cause of deck collapse and it is not a place to save money.
The two projects need different tools as well as different budgets: a deck is a cutting and fastening job, which is what our DEWALT 6-tool combo kit review covers, while a patio is a compaction and materials job a cordless kit will not touch.
Doing the outdoor living job yourself?
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Coated deck screws resist corrosion on pressure-treated framing.
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Galvanized joist hangers tie deck joists to the ledger and beams.
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Penetrating sealer protects new deck boards from water and UV.
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A cordless drill/driver speeds every screw on a deck build.
View on AmazonFrequently asked questions
Is a deck or patio cheaper?
A patio, usually by a factor of two to three, because it is a surface rather than a structure. That gap narrows on a sloped site where a patio would need grading, retaining walls or fill, all of which cost real money. Price both for your actual yard rather than comparing per square foot figures in the abstract.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
In most jurisdictions yes, particularly for anything raised or attached to the house. Permits cover footing depth, framing spans, guardrail height and ledger attachment, all of which relate directly to whether the deck stays up. Unpermitted decks also cause problems at resale. Check with your local building department before starting.
Which adds more value, a deck or a patio?
Both add value and remodeling cost surveys have consistently placed outdoor living projects among the better returns. Which does better locally depends on the market and the site. A well-built deck on a sloped lot that had no usable outdoor space adds more than a patio squeezed onto a slope. A large patio in a warm climate can outperform a small deck.
What is the most important part of a deck build?
The connection to the house and the footings. Deck collapses are overwhelmingly ledger failures, where the board attaching the deck to the house is fastened incorrectly or flashed badly so water rots the structure behind it. Footings below the frost line come second. Neither is visible once the deck is finished, which is exactly why they get skimped.