I am hoping to sort my garden out this Spring and I have already posted a question about my lawn - now onto the Hard Stuff!

There is currently an area which is concreted which I would like to make 'good'. Please could I have advice on the following...

The concrete is rather uneven, not too bad but still uneven.

The area to cover straight out the back door and along the back of the house - it is about 2m in depth and 5m length.

There is a drainpipe and drain on the back of the house but I can just go round that with no problems I guess?

Now my question is - is it easier for a novice like myself to Deck or Patio this area? I sort of understand how to do both after reading forums on people doing it etc... but I wondered whats easiest for my (lack of) skills?

I would say it's possibly easier to get a nice level tidy job by using decking.
Laying paving slabs is probably harder to do uniformly over such an area.

However, if the area is straight out of your back door, be aware that decking can be slippery in winter when wet, not just when frozen.

Thank you for the advice. I think I am going to go with the decking...

On the uneven concrete - would I be best to smash/rip it up and lay concrete blocks and build the base on there?

Or would it be best to build over the existing concrete? It dips slightly in the middle.. could I use something to build it up so its level from one end to the other?

Thanks again for your help - much appreciated.

It depends really, on how deep the dips are.
Your decking joists will be 4" x 2" minimum and ideally 6" x 2".
If you can use 6" x 2" on top of the existing concrete and depending upon which way they are running in relation to the " dip " it may be possible to just shim under the joists at the appropriate point, since there won't be much movement in a joist of that section as long as it's supported about every 2 ft.

Brilliant thank you! They will run along the dip so as you say I can fill under the joist to give it further support.

To be fair I will be 'over-supporting' as I never trust my DIY handy work so I have no fears of it dipping or moving as I take too many pre-cautions!

Thanks for making it easier for me!

Personally i only do decks anymore for sloping or problem sites. They are cheaper but 95% of them look shabby after 2 years and downright awful after 4/5. Not to mention they can be horribly slippy when damp.

I try to advise people towards a patio as it will obviously considerably outlast decking and is generally much more useable but even a basic patio will come in at nearly twice the price.

If the area in question is in full sun and gest good air circulation it may be ok but if its at all shady or damp definately steer clear of decking.

Nice job, I love decking.
Be careful tho, make sure you use an oil based preserver, I used Cuprinol rollable and it is rubbish! Peels and cracks and wears. Lasts 9 months.
I'm in the process of removing it and oiling it.

Tom

The area to be decked is South facing and is exposed to from sunrise to sunset (when we have sun that is...). So hopefully the damp shouldn't be an issue.

Again thank you for your replies!

Cheesy1 your decking does look lovely and I hope mine will look just as good once I have finished!

Unfortunately being my first house and spending the majority of our budget installing central heating, complete rewire, new kitchen/bathroom etc.. Cost is very important and I think decking is the cheaper way to go - and I should be able to pull that off myself!

Having built both at my last house I'd definitely recommend the decking as the easier option, both physically and mentally!



If it's of any interest/use, there are further photos covering the construction of both:

Decking: http://www.newtonnet.co.uk/house/20060815/
Patio: http://www.newtonnet.co.uk/house/20070121/

Mathew

Hi There,

I would agree with all of the above really. Decking realy wold be the easier option. It's definately not as tough to get down! I think it looks nicer too!