deckorpatio

So you’re looking out at your backyard and you feel like something is missing. You want to take advantage of your spacious yard, but you don’t want to just set up some chairs and a picnic table and call it a day. You want something more, something that will both enhance the beauty of your home and help you enjoy the outdoors. You have a decision to make: deck or patio. In order to make the best decision, there are several key factors you’ll want to take into account.

Cost

Depending on your budget, you may need to take into account the pricing of these two options. But if money is not a concern, feel free to skip this section. When it comes to both patios and decks, there a number of things that will factor into the cost, including such factors as:

  • Materials – Is it made of wood, stone, vinyl, etc.?
  • Location – Is it on the ground, attached to the house, or on supports?
  • Size – How large is it in square footage?
  • Features – Are you adding an outdoor kitchen, lighting, or seating?

Taking into account all of these factors will help you make a decision on whether you can afford the deck or patio you want. But if you want to know from the outset which will be cheaper, it is a safe bet to go with a patio. According to the National Association of Realtors, decks usually run around $33 per square foot while a patio comes in as little as $15 per square foot. Of course, it all depends on exactly what you want, so this pricing may vary.

Added Value

When thinking about adding something to your home, it is always a good idea to consider the overall added value. If and when you are going to sell your home in the future, you want your deck or patio to attract the buyers and allow you to increase your asking price. In terms of ROI (return on investment), the average for a patio is between 30%-60% while a deck will be around 75%. In other words, you’ll get more for your money in the long term if you build a deck as opposed to a patio.

Your Property

Probably the number one thing to take into consideration is the appearance and layout of your property. Do you have a lot of landscaping done, like shrubbery, a garden, or a pond? In that case, you may want to go with a patio. Patios are great at creating a platform for you to enjoy your yard without stepping in grass, dirt, or mud. Is your property quite hilly? If so, you’ll want to consider a deck, as it can conform to any type of surface with its modifiable supports.

Maintenance

Another factor to keep in mind is how much maintenance will be required to keep your deck or patio in order. With decks, it really depends on the materials. The newer composite and vinyl decking is easier to maintain as it has a plastic component that makes cleaning easy and decreases the amount of maintenance needed. But with a traditional wooden deck, you’ll find that it takes a bit of work to keep the deck clean and to prevent it from deteriorating and fading. Patios are much easier to clean, as they usually require only a periodic hosing or brushing. And if one of the patio stones crack or breaks, you don’t have to replace the entire patio.

A false choice?

Perhaps you don’t actually have to choose after all. Maybe, just maybe…you can have both! Plenty of people opt to have both a deck and a patio installed in their yards. It could take the form of a large deck with stairs that lead down to a brick patio, or a deck attached to the home with a separate patio by the garden.

Whether you want a patio, a deck, or both, North American Deck and Patio can build it for you. Give us a call today or contact us online to find out more.

Why Choose North American Deck and Patio

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Our 30+ years of experience and accumulated knowledge sets us apart from our competitors. We have designed and worked on a variety of different landscaping projects each customized to fit the needs of the customer. Our expertise allows us to ensure that you get exactly what you want – and we’ll even back it up with a warranty.

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North American Deck and Patio is the Reliable Maryland Deck and Patio Company delivering consistent results guaranteed by an honest warranty.

Thousands of Happy Customers

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross

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View Areas Served

Anne Arundel County Deck and Patio: Annapolis (21401, 21403, 21409), Arnold (21012), Crofton (21114), Crownsville (21032), Gambrills (21054), Glen Burnie (21060, 21061), Hanover (21076), Jessup (20794), Pasadena (21122), Severn (21144), Severna Park (21146).

Baltimore County Deck and Patio: Arbutus (21227), Catonsville (21228, 21250), Cockeysville (21030, 21031, 21065), Dundalk (21222), Edgemere (21219), Essex (21221), Garrison (21055), Lansdowne (21227), Lochearn (21207), Lutherville (21093), Middle River (21220), Milford Mill (21244), Overlea (21236), Owings Mills (21117), Parkville (21234), Park Heights (21215), Pikesville (21208), Randallstown (21133), Reisterstown (21136), Rosedale (21237), Timonium (21093), Towson (21204), White Marsh (21162), Woodlawn (21207), and more.

Calvert County Deck and Patio: Dunkirk (20754), Chesapeake Beach (20732), North Beach (20714), Prince Frederick (20678), Owings (20736), Solomons (20688).

Howard County Deck and Patio: Clarksville (21029), Columbia (21044), Cooksville (21723), Dorsey (21075), Elkridge (21075), Ellicott City (21043), Fulton (20759), Glenelg (21737), Glenwood (21738), Granite (21163), Hanover (21076), Highland (20777), Jessup (20794), Lisbon (21765), Marriottsville (21104), North Laurel (20723), West Friendship (21794), Woodbine (21797), Woodstock (21163), and more.

Montgomery County Deck and Patio: Olney (20832), Damascus (20872), Laytonsville (20882), Silver Spring (20910), Clarksburg (20871), Gaithersburg (20878), Germantown (20876), Bethesda (20816), Chevy Chase (20815), and more.

Prince George's County Deck and Patio: Bowie (20715, 20716, 20720, 20721), Beltsville (20705), Adelphi (20783), College Park (20740,20742), Greenbelt (25689), Hyattsville (20781, 20782, 20783, 20784), Landover (20785), Laurel (20707, 20723), Springdale (20774), Upper Marlboro (20772, 20774), Woodlawn (21207).

St. Marys County Deck and Patio: Leonardtown (20650), Mechanicsville (20659), Lexington Park (20653), Piney Point (20674), Tall Timbers (20690)

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