Decks, patios and porches

Concrete patio or wood deck?

If the yard is close to the level of the back door, a concrete patio is usually the simpler, longer-lasting choice: no boards to replace and no stain to redo. If the door is well above the ground or the yard slopes away, a deck gets you a level outdoor floor without building up a wall of fill.

Plenty of homes end up with both: a deck at the door with steps down to a patio. We can price it either way.

How big should a patio or deck be?

Plan for how you will use it. A table for four with chairs pulled out needs roughly 12 by 12 feet. Add room for a BBQ and a path around it. We mark the outline on the ground at the site visit so you can stand on it and decide.

Which concrete finish is best?

Broom finish gives the best grip and is the most affordable. Exposed aggregate shows the stone, hides dirt well and needs little upkeep. Stamped concrete imitates stone or brick and needs resealing every few years to keep its colour. For walkways that see winter ice, we usually recommend broom or exposed aggregate.

Why do precast steps sink?

Precast steps are often set on a thin bed of gravel or straight onto backfill near the foundation. That backfill keeps settling, and frost works on it every winter. The steps tip away and a gap opens at the door.

Poured steps are built on a dug and compacted base and can be tied to the existing landing. They stay where they are put.

Can you build a covered porch?

Yes. A covered porch needs posts on proper footings, a beam sized for the roof above it, and a roof that ties into the house without trapping water against the wall. We frame, roof and finish it, and pour the floor or steps underneath if you want concrete.

Should my patio sit right against the house?

It can, but it should not be locked to the house. We place an isolation joint where the patio meets the foundation so the two move separately, and slope the surface away from the wall so water never runs toward the basement.

How do I look after a new patio or deck?

Give new concrete a week before heavy furniture or a hot tub goes on, and use sand rather than de-icing salt through its first winter. Wood decks last longest when they are swept clear of leaves and resealed every few years.