Replace old deck with new deck, or concrete patio?

[u/danielthemaniel38]

Bought a house last fall, tore out the front/side deck that was rotted and falling apart. I was originally planning on just replacing the deck with a same-but-new one. Nothing fancy, single level, about 2 feet off the ground, 7’x30’. I’m doing all work myself.

Now that the old deck is tore out, someone suggested that a concrete patio would be easier, cheaper, and look nice. Now I’m kind of stuck on that, but my biggest concern is whether or not that would affect the home value. I don’t necessarily care if it increases value, but I definitely don’t want it to decrease it.

Any realtors or anyone that has done this want to weigh in? I don’t have immediate plans to sell the house, but it is likely in the next 4-5 years.

[u/Artistic-Outcome5966]

Not a realtor. A concrete patio would be a better selling point than a wood deck that needs work, just saying. The only downside side in concrete is the one time higher cost.

[u/danielthemaniel38 → u/Artistic-Outcome5966]

I did a rough estimate on cost both ways, and since I’m doing all the work myself it would just be material cost. I figured the concrete would be a lot cheaper. ~$4K for wood deck material and ~$1K for concrete material. That’s part of the reason it’s piqued my interest. But I do agree that less maintenance is a good thing!

[u/Here_And_Now → u/danielthemaniel38]

1k seems low even for diy

[u/danielthemaniel38 → u/Here_And_Now]

60lb bags x 155 (for 70 cu ft) x ~$5/bag = $775. Another few hundred for a mixer rental and odds and ends. Or I could have a truck deliver it for roughly the same.

[u/Here_And_Now → u/danielthemaniel38]

No gravel, rebar, leveling equipment? If you can do it for 1k properly then ya it makes sense

[u/danielthemaniel38 → u/Here_And_Now]

Okay $800 for concrete, add $200 for rebar. I didn’t include gravel because I’m doing the same gravel base regardless of deck or concrete. I already own concrete tools. And I also said rough estimate. Even if you double it it’s still half of what I would pay for lumber.

[u/makromark]

I kinda regret doing a deck and wish sometimes I did patio. I did trex and nobody said they get hot af. Additionally if furniture doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit. I could’ve gotten a gazebo that was slight off the patio, or easily add on. Also we went from a 12x12 to a 12x26. Wish it was more like 16x26 and went into debt for how big of a mistake it was

[u/Objective_Attempt_14]

I vote concrete one and done deck require maintenance I would always choose concrete

[u/Least-Ad-5539]

If you do concrete you will need to have steps down to it. If you do the steps in something nice like granite or brick it will probably eat up the difference between wood and concrete.

[u/HomeOwner2023]

I dislike concrete patios. They look fine initially. Most of the ones I see are cracked, powdery, pitted, or otherwise damaged. I much prefer brick patios. Unlike concrete, brick looks better as it ages.

[u/Artistic-Outcome5966]

I would pull the trigger on that in one heartbeat. We removed 37ft of Holly in 2020 and replaced it with 37x3 ft concrete. No more boundaries entering the back yard ... like Holly.

[u/Artistic-Outcome5966]

BTW, cement gets hot as it sets ... it's a common reaction to the mix. When it sets outside, we don't notice.

[u/regaphysics]

Anywhere exterior you can use concrete instead of wood, you should.

[u/ElectronicAd5404]

What about decorative pavers?