Patios are winning. In 2014, a majority of all new homes – 56 percent – were constructed with a patio. On the other hand, 23 percent of the new homes had a deck, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction.
While patios or decks both let you enjoy the outdoors, the differences matter. Patios are like courtyards and can be attached to or separate from a house. They can take any shape and can be built using any type of material. They’re always at ground level so they do not require railings, as decks do. Decks, typically made of wood or composite wood material, are not usually built at ground level so they can be used to enjoy a great view.
