Backyard Pavers vs. Concrete vs. deck?

foodyforlife wrote: ↑What's better for longevity and maintenance for backyard landscaping. Thinking about finishing our backyard, deck would be nice, but heard some horrors stories. Also there's concrete pavers or concrete? Are concrete pavers cheaper than a deck?

what kind of horror stories have you heard about decks?

Ive never heard anyone try to pave theyre backyard before?? Why not give interlock a try?

Trollcifer wrote: ↑what kind of horror stories have you heard about decks?

https://www.google.ca/search?q=deck+led ... 76&bih=444

If you want the lowest maintenance, definately interlocking stones.

Decks need annual maintenace and animals can hide under it. For concrete, you can find lots of threads here talking about the issues.

Good luck.

foodyforlife wrote: ↑What's better for longevity and maintenance for backyard landscaping. Thinking about finishing our backyard, deck would be nice, but heard some horrors stories. Also there's concrete pavers or concrete? Are concrete pavers cheaper than a deck?

For longevity, definitely concrete! Bridges and skyscrapers are made of it for a reason. Just make sure the grading and prep work is done properly or you can be in for a mess years later! Interlock can also last a lifetime, if done properly!

I replaced a 15 yr old deck with an exposed aggregrate patio. It was cheaper than cedar and less maintenance .....and I expect it to last longer than me.
I did not look into pavers.

rdx wrote: ↑If you want the lowest maintenance, definately interlocking stones.

Decks need annual maintenace and animals can hide under it. For concrete, you can find lots of threads here talking about the issues.

Good luck.

Agree, that is why I am considering of using paving stone for my backyard.

broken1arrow wrote: ↑I replaced a 15 yr old deck with an exposed aggregrate patio. It was cheaper than cedar and less maintenance .....and I expect it to last longer than me.
I did not look into pavers.

This is an art that has died unfortunately! I still have jobs that I did 20 years ago that with a fresh coat of sealer look like they were done yesterday, congratulations on your decision!

I went with stamped concrete and I'm glad I did. The neighbor behind me no kidding spent minimum FIVE days pressure washing his raised deck. He then proceeded to sand with a orbital hand sander the entire thing which went on for another 3-5 days. He was out there for 5-8 hours a day. I was honestly going to kill him or myself if it went on for any longer.

rdx wrote: ↑If you want the lowest maintenance, definately interlocking stones.

Decks need annual maintenace and animals can hide under it. For concrete, you can find lots of threads here talking about the issues.

Good luck.

skoalman123 wrote: ↑For longevity, definitely concrete! Bridges and skyscrapers are made of it for a reason. Just make sure the grading and prep work is done properly or you can be in for a mess years later! Interlock can also last a lifetime, if done properly!

tsatsa wrote: ↑Agree, that is why I am considering of using paving stone for my backyard.

adblink182 wrote: ↑I went with stamped concrete and I'm glad I did. The neighbor behind me no kidding spent minimum FIVE days pressure washing his raised deck. He then proceeded to sand with a orbital hand sander the entire thing which went on for another 3-5 days. He was out there for 5-8 hours a day. I was honestly going to kill him or myself if it went on for any longer.

Hmmm. Sounds like I will just have our deck dismantled.

So which one is most maintenance free (including weeds growing in between)? On another thread, non-stamped concrete was recommended.

Zamboni wrote: ↑https://www.google.ca/search?q=deck+led ... 76&bih=444

That is dumb because if you can pretty much search anything in the world with word fail behind it and you will see pictures of horrible things.

You can see pavers fail

https://www.google.ca/search?q=deck+led ... avers+fail

It does not mean one is more superior to the other.

All three can be almost maintenance free as long as they are done right.

Also, another things to consider is I would never buy a house with concrete as deck in back yard. I saw a few houses with it that was 11 yr or older and it was terrible.
I think pavers would look the best and last the longest without maintenance if done right.

joongpark wrote: ↑Also, another things to consider is I would never buy a house with concrete as deck in back yard. I saw a few houses with it that was 11 yr or older and it was terrible.
I think pavers would look the best and last the longest without maintenance if done right.

Why would it outlast concrete?

So pavers = interlock?
http://www.lowes.com/projects/porch-dec ... ys/project

All personal preference I guess.

Myself, no way I could do the same with pavers or concrete the way I did mine.

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Zamboni wrote: ↑https://www.google.ca/search?q=deck+led ... 76&bih=444

That was one of my worries when I started our deck revamp. What I discovered scared me, nailed in ledger board, staircase landing nailed to the first deck with a ton of shingle nails, etc. I could go on and on. All hidden from view.

Glad our backyard is at most a fifth of yours Spidey.

broken1arrow wrote: ↑I replaced a 15 yr old deck with an exposed aggregrate patio. It was cheaper than cedar and less maintenance .....and I expect it to last longer than me.
I did not look into pavers.

I'm thinking of doing this. May I ask the price and size of your patio? PM me if you don't want to put online.

I don't see exposed agg in Ontario much, I recall it was pretty popular driveway choice in BC and Alberta. Thought it was climate driven but maybe just different taste.
I was thinking going just stamped/colored concrete but it looks so artificial to me.

adblink182 wrote: ↑I went with stamped concrete and I'm glad I did. The neighbor behind me no kidding spent minimum FIVE days pressure washing his raised deck. He then proceeded to sand with a orbital hand sander the entire thing which went on for another 3-5 days. He was out there for 5-8 hours a day. I was honestly going to kill him or myself if it went on for any longer.

Backyard is a place to enjoy in the summer, not to do work for maintenance

But warn you, stamped concrete will crack or chip, just a matter of time.

FYI, bare concrete slabs WILL get stained. As simple as a decomposing leaf. Or rain. Or cleaning products. Etc. Not an issue with stamped concrete, but rarely have I seen stamped concrete not suffer from chipping, or crumbling in some spots.