Who’s ahead? Decks or patios

This is just in from Ashok Chaluvadi with the National Association of Home Builders commenting on their Economics Blog, Eye on Housing. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction 2014 data indicate a clear preference for patios over decks in new single-family homes. In 2014, just over 640,000 single family homes were constructed. Of these, 56 percent were graced by a patio. Only 23 percent had a deck.

Even more telling is reviewing the Census Bureau data in its nine census regions. Favorable climate most of the year might influence regional patio installation in new homes. Patios are most common in new homes in the West South Central region, with 79 percent, followed by the Mountain region with 66 percent and the Pacific region with 65 percent.

Patios are least common in the Mid-Atlantic region at 24 percent and New England at 25 percent. Interestingly, the more temperate East South Central region only saw 38 percent of new homes built with patios. Could that be due to pesky bugs? Another item worth noting is these data have remained relatively stable since 2009.

One the other hand, decks are most common in New England at 66 percent of new homes, followed at a distance by the East South Central with 47 percent and West North Central at 45 percent.

Decks are comparatively uncommon in the West South Central division where only 4 percent of new homes include them. In the remaining regions, 18 to 26 percent had decks. Again, these data have remained relatively stable since 2009.

Most patios are constructed with concrete pavers as well as stone and clay brick. Concrete pavers offer the greatest range of shapes, colors and textures.

When it comes to cost, there is really no contest between decks and patios. Both patio and deck costs can be the same, higher or lower depending on site access, backyard configuration, project size, geography and materials. However, the Census Bureau survey results suggest that homeowners prefer having patios outside made with materials that don’t rot away in 15 to 20 years.

Besides longevity, the great aspect of patios is their design versatility. They can replace existing decks or co-exist with them. Raised patios suggest deck-like designs with surfaces that meet house entrances and transition with steps to lower areas (or laterally) to areas with outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fire pits, hot tubs and pools. Such amenities are difficult or impossible to incorporate into a wooden or composite deck. Patio hardscaping presents the greatest design and lifestyle options for homeowners at competitive costs, and is a service hardscape professionals should definitely consider in 2016.