When it comes to outdoor living, there are many options to choose from. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks, including cost. When building an outdoor living space, you need to keep in mind that some options are cheaper than others and may require less upkeep in the future too. If you’re looking for an option that’s easy to maintain and doesn’t cost as much, a concrete patio might be the best choice to help create the outdoor space you want and need.
Pros and Cons
Decks constructed with pressure-treated wood and composite materials are generally more expensive than concrete patios, but they do have their upsides, especially in terms of appearance and maintenance over time. A deck offers a traditional look with a natural, outdoor appeal. Composite decks offer a choice of bright, bold colors that can bring visual pop to your yard without having to stain or paint them every year—in fact, because many are made from recycled plastic material, some never need to be painted at all!
When Can You Save by Building with Concrete?
Although a concrete patio costs roughly $7 to $10 per square foot, you’ll pay roughly $15 to $20 per square foot for most wood decks—and that doesn’t include installation, which averages about $3 to $5 per square foot (or more). So you can save considerably by building with concrete.
Materials Cost Comparison
Laying a concrete patio costs approximately per square foot, while materials for laying a wood deck cost about per square foot. A concrete patio, therefore, is significantly cheaper to lay than a wooden deck. Cost of Materials for Concrete Patio vs. Wood Deck Material Type Square Feet Cost Per Square Foot Total Costs (100 sq. ft.) Concrete Patio $8.00 $800 Wood Deck $7.50 $750 Composite deck boards can be used instead of pressure-treated lumber for an additional .40 cents per square foot in cost savings on top of those listed above. The total composite deck board price would be .40 cents per square foot, or, bringing total komposittrall trappa costs down to. This means that composite decks are also much more affordable in terms of initial and maintenance costs over time compared with concrete patios or wood decks.
Labor Cost Comparison
A wood deck will cost about $1,825 to install; a concrete patio, on average, will cost $1,150. But when you factor in repair and replacement costs down the road—forget it! The concrete patio costs only pennies over time because you can use an inexpensive sealant to keep its surface looking good year-round. A wood deck requires refinishing every 10 years or so and has to be repainted every few years after that—costing hundreds of dollars each time.
Maintenance Cost Comparison
When you take into consideration that a composite deck requires annual staining, sealing, and caulking, it is considerably more expensive than a concrete patio over time. After approximately five years, a pressure-treated wood deck will require re-staining; at ten years, it’s likely that parts of your wood deck will begin to warp and splinter due to rot and decay—requiring replacing boards or even replacing portions of your deck entirely.
All Things Considered
Although it depends on your project, concrete patios can be cheaper overall than a wood deck, even if you factor in maintenance over time. A simple concrete patio will cost you roughly per square foot, while a mid-level pressure-treated komposittrall längder costs about per square foot for less than top-of-the-line lumber, according to Home Guides from Lowe’s. That’s because the concrete doesn’t deteriorate like wood does and won’t require any extra maintenance other than power washing.
Conclusion
A concrete patio costs only $10 per square foot, while a wood deck costs roughly $20 per square foot. A concrete patio offers superior weather resistance, strength, and durability compared to a wood deck, making it more cost-effective in terms of both installation and maintenance over time.
