So you’ve made the big decision, and the next home improvement project will be a deck large enough to double as a patio. It will help you take advantage of that yard you rarely use and make your home the site of your families best summer parties. It will provide a good view of the garden/ sports area/ pool that will be going in next year, not to mention, adding value to your home.

You know where you want it, how big you want it, how high you want it. The next question is, what kind of material will you choose for the patio decking?

Traditional Patio Decking

There are a lot of conditions to take into consideration before you choose your material. You want it to last a long time with little maintenance and, of course, there’s the cost to consider. You want it to look good and provide a comfortable, safe surface while considering the local building codes and the environment, too.

The traditional material for patio decking is pressure-treated wood. Statistics show that there are about 30,000,000 wood decks in America, with more being built all the time. Pressure-treated wood patio decking resists termites and rot and is usually made from pine or fir. Because of its popularity, the wood and its related materials are easy to find at competitive prices. It offers a familiar and attractive appearance along with its easy care.

Other kinds of wood are available, traditional and quite attractive; red cedar, redwood and tropical hardwoods are popular for patio decking. Since they are not pressure-treated, they require more care and maintenance, but for the homeowner who has the time and money, they offer a great appearance.

Other Patio Decking Materials

All woods have to be protected from the dangers of direct contact with the ground. If your deck is to be even partly at ground level, other, more resilient types of patio decking are available.

Concrete is a popular and versatile material, and it requires very little maintenance, can be used in the front, back or side of the home, and is remarkably attractive. Instead of concrete slabs, stamped concrete can add a dazzling effect to your home. The fresh concrete is imprinted with texture and pattern resembling stone, brick, tile, or almost anything you can imagine. Bits of gravel, granite, quartz, river stones, or the like can be added for sparkle or texture. The concrete can be dyed or painted for the splash of color you crave. Even old concrete patio decking can be updated by adding engraving and/or a colorful textured overlay.

Another choice for the ground-level patio decking is pavers of brick, stone, or concrete. Although ground preparation is required to ensure a proper placement and drainage in these waterproof materials, maintenance is minimal.