As anyone with any amount of outdoor space can attest, there is more to designing a garden than simply choosing flowers and shrubs or mowing the lawn. Of course, flora and foliage are important but if you want to make the most of the outdoors, then some form of designated seating area is essential.
But there is so much to choose from – do you go for decking or patio, the cheapest option or the one that costs more but is likely to last a lot longer? Also, with the ever-present issue of climate change, it is important to opt for materials that are sustainable and will be kind to the plants and wildlife which also inhabit the space.
Decks are structures built or laid on a frame and made out of timber, composite material or PVC; patios are laid on the ground on a compacted or concrete base and can be made up of a variety of materials
John McCarthy has years of experience when it comes to landscaping gardens and helping to keep them in tip-top condition. He says there are pros and cons to both.
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“Both options can provide an outdoor sitting or entertainment space and what people choose is usually down to budget, personal taste and the space itself,” the Clare-based landscape and grounds maintenance contractor says. “For example, decks can be constructed at an elevated level, extending out from an upper floor area, which is not an option for patios. So one of the pros for decking is that it is suitable for sloping or uneven ground.
“Also, from a sustainability point of view, some composite decking materials are made from recycled material so are more environmentally friendly – and also need very little maintenance.
“But, having said that, timber tends to be high maintenance and, in our climate, has a limited lifespan of around 12 years. Also, composite decking can be very expensive and it can be slippery in winter, even if it has low-slip properties. It can also have weight restrictions so placing heavy items such as hot tubs on it may not be an option.”
So while decks tend to be more practical where the ground is uneven or anywhere that a raised structure is required, patios work better where the ground is level as they are not suitable for sloping ground or raised areas.
Everyone will have different tastes and budgets and, as prices vary, it all comes down to personal choice.
“Patios tend to be very long lasting and are very easy to maintain,” says McCarthy. “There are also a wide range of materials and products available – varying from concrete, imprinted concrete, natural stone and also porcelain, which is the most popular at the moment. Material prices range from €20 up to €60 per square metre.
“Decking materials are usually either timber, composite or PVC and the frames can be built from timber, aluminium or heavy-duty rubber. Composite is the most popular but is very expensive, especially if using aluminium or rubber frames. The prices for materials vary from around €30 for timber to €160 and upwards per square metre for composite.”
For those looking for an eco-friendly option, McCarthy says there is plenty of choice available.
“Sustainable options for decking are where recycled materials are used in the manufacture of some of the composite decking materials. And for patios the sustainable option is when old stone or bricks are reused,” he says.
“Natural stone, such Liscannor stone paving, is one of the most durable if laid correctly and probably more sustainable than most as it is not imported like a lot of the other varieties on the market.”
While natural Irish stone is ideal for patio installations which can stand up to the Irish climate, Tom Stanton of Aislinn Hardwood Flooring says it is important to treat wooden decking with the right product in order to ensure it lasts a lifetime.
“We supply WOCA Denmark products for exterior woodcare and maintenance,” he says. “They are 100 per cent environmentally friendly, carrying the VOC [Volatile Organic Compounds]-free label, and can be used for composite decking as well as wood,” says Stanton.
“WOCA Denmark’s philosophy is to ‘prepare, treat, maintain’ and their exterior products are suitable for treating new exterior wooden surfaces, and cleaning and maintaining existing wooden decking, fencing, cladding and furniture to stand beautiful and strong for years to come.
“Exterior wood oil creates a hard-wearing surface which repels water while giving UV protection, making the surface far more resistant against the rays of the sun and ensuring that wood surfaces do not need treating too often.
“And while the oil is suitable for wooden surfaces, many of our cleaners are suitable for composite, removing grit and grime and renewing the surface after the winter weather has taken its toll.
“Protecting your investment will allow it to last longer, while care and maintenance can be done at a fraction of the cost of replacing.”
