8 Deck and Patio Ideas for Your Hampton Roads Backyard

You’ve decided that you want to add hardscapes to your VA backyard. How about adding a deck, patio or deck/patio combination to your Virginia Beach outdoor space?

Patios & Decks—What’s the Difference?

There are some key differences between a patio and a deck. For example, a deck is off ground while a patio is level with the ground. Also, decks are made from wood or wood composite, and patios are made with pavers, bricks or other masonry.

Here are some other differences between a patio and a deck:

Plants, trees and shrubs are used as the paint and wallpaper of your patio. Also, other outdoor rooms and hardscape features are built from your patio using the same materials as your patio’s base.
Plants, trees and shrubs can complement your deck, but since it’s raised off the ground, you end up looking out or down on your landscapes.
Patios provide the sturdy base for outdoor kitchens and other elaborate outdoor rooms.

For a deck, you’ll need fencing or rails to keep children from falling off.
Decks tend to cost more than patios to install. They also require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. Yet, you can recoup up to 80% of a deck’s installation cost when you put your house up for sale.
Decks can be built on sloping or other uneven ground while patios need to be built on even ground for long-lasting enjoyment.
Decks require more maintenance and repair since they’re made out of wood that splinters, rots and ages.

If you can’t decide on a deck or patio, you can install a deck/patio combination to extend your outdoor living on many levels.

Patio and Deck Ideas

Create the ultimate in outdoor living by hiring a landscape pro to design and build a patio and deck combination. This multi-level outdoor living space offers many options:

Add wood risers off of your patio to your deck for vertical appeal.
Go with a multi-level deck and a patio. If you have many stories to your home or you can see the ocean from the second story of your house, consider adding multi-level decking. Similar to ground level outdoor rooms, multi-level decks can be built at key areas allowing you to see the ocean or another view on the top floor. The next floor can be more of a living/dining room and the lower level can house a deck while the bottom level is your patio enclosed by lattice work and outdoor sofas and chairs.
Your deck can also act as a guide by leading guests from inside your home to the pool and patio below.

Other Deck Features to Consider

Like your patio, a deck can also include seat walls, a fire pit, a hot tub, a dining/living area and a pool. All of these features can be on different levels of your deck.
If you have a small backyard, you may want to consider adding a small deck or wood risers to make your yard look larger and to provide more entertaining space.
Decks can also be focal points for small and large backyards.
While you need a fence or a rail to keep people from falling off your deck, you can get creative with the boundaries by incorporating curves and angles into the design.
Add outdoor and landscape lighting to your deck so you can enjoy your gatherings late into the evening.

Are you ready to add a deck, patio or a combination of both to your Norfolk or Suffolk, VA home? At Visionscapes, we’ll sit down with you to discuss your outdoor dreams and transform them into reality. Call us at (757)673-7350 or fill out our contact form for more information.

Sources:

BHG.com, “Small Yard and Small Garden Landscaping Ideas.”

Hofer, Marie, “What Can Hardscaping Do For You?” HGTV.com.

National Association of Landscape Professionals, “Decks vs. Patios: How to Choose What’s Right for You,” LoveYourLandscape.org.

Ibid., “Working Hardscapes into Your Landscape Design.”

Sanders, Keri, “12 Outdoor Flooring Ideas,” HGTV.com.